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Head-to-head · Git Clients

GitKraken Desktop vs Git

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score GitKraken Desktop #1 in Git Clients 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit GitKraken
Git #2 in Git Clients 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Git

GitKraken Desktop leads on 0 checks, Git on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitKraken Desktop · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly GitKraken Desktop

GitKraken Desktop scores higher on our rubric for git clients: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

GitKraken Desktop is the better fit for teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client. Git is the better fit for teams and developers comfortable with command-line Git.

  • GitKraken Desktop fits best

    Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client

  • Git fits best

    Teams and developers comfortable with command-line Git

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GitKraken Desktop 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Git 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #1 in Git Clients #2 in Git Clients
Best for Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client Teams and developers comfortable with command-line Git
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GitKraken Desktop 0/3 · Git 0/3
Visual history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Conflict resolution Not checked yet Not checked yet
Submodule support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Repository hosting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Git workflows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
  • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations
  • Free, open-source version control for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Local repositories preserve full project history for branching and merging
  • Sparse checkouts and submodules support selective and nested repository work
Cons
  • Private repository access requires a paid plan
  • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
  • Business pricing is custom-quoted
  • Primarily a command-line tool, not a dedicated graphical client
  • Large-file handling depends on an extension
  • Support is through community and documentation
Our verdict

GitKraken Desktop is a graphical Git client for developers and development teams who want to manage repositories through a visual interface. Its commit graph and repository history sit alongside branch creation, merging, rebasing, and…

Read the review →

Git tracks changes in software projects through distributed repositories, with local project history and remote synchronization. It is suited to developers and teams across a broad range of project sizes who want version control on…

Read the review →
  1. GitKraken DesktopGit Clients 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. GitGit Clients 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitKraken Desktop — where it wins

    • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
    • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Private repository access requires a paid plan
    • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
    • Business pricing is custom-quoted

  • Git — where it wins

    • Free, open-source version control for Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Local repositories preserve full project history for branching and merging
    • Sparse checkouts and submodules support selective and nested repository work

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily a command-line tool, not a dedicated graphical client
    • Large-file handling depends on an extension
    • Support is through community and documentation
  • GitKraken Desktop8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A visual Git workspace with advanced workflows, conflict tools, and hosting integrations.

    Visit GitKrakenFull verdict →
  • Git8.6/10 · Free plan

    A mature Git foundation across desktop platforms, though primarily command-line rather than graphical.

    Visit GitFull verdict →

More comparisons

All git clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update