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Head-to-head · Git GUI Clients

GitKraken Desktop vs SmartGit

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score GitKraken Desktop #3 in Git GUI Clients 9.1/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit GitKraken
SmartGit #4 in Git GUI Clients 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit SmartGit

GitKraken Desktop leads on 0 checks, SmartGit on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitKraken Desktop · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly GitKraken Desktop

GitKraken Desktop scores higher on our rubric for git gui clients: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

GitKraken Desktop is the better fit for teams wanting a mature, full-featured Git GUI. SmartGit is the better fit for teams wanting a polished paid Git client.

  • GitKraken Desktop fits best

    Teams wanting a mature, full-featured Git GUI

  • SmartGit fits best

    Teams wanting a polished paid Git client

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 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SmartGit 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #3 in Git GUI Clients #4 in Git GUI Clients
Best for Teams wanting a mature, full-featured Git GUI Teams wanting a polished paid Git client
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GitKraken Desktop 5/5 · SmartGit 5/5
Offline mode ✓ ✓
Git LFS support ✓ ✓
Git submodules ✓ ✓
Interactive rebase ✓ ✓
Conflict editor ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux windows, macos, linux
Our review
Pros
  • Interactive rebase, LFS, submodules, and conflict editing
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with offline support
  • Integrates with major Git hosts, Jira, Trello, and GitHub Issues
  • Interactive rebase, conflict solving, submodules, and Git LFS locking
  • Supports GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with bundled Git and SSH clients
Cons
  • Private repository access starts above the Community plan
  • Advanced team controls require higher-tier plans
  • Business pricing is custom quote only
  • Hobby licensing is limited to personal, non-commercial use
  • Enterprise integrations are excluded from the Hobby plan
  • Free eligibility requires registration, an educational email, or verification
Our verdict

GitKraken Desktop is a graphical Git client for developers and development teams that prefer visual repository workflows. Its visual commit graph, branch management, merging, rebasing, embedded terminal, and repository history tools cover…

Read the review →

SmartGit is a desktop graphical Git client for individuals, development teams, organizations, and power users. It brings repository, commit, branch, merge, history, and rebase management into a visual interface across Windows, macOS, and…

Read the review →
  1. GitKraken DesktopGit GUI Clients 9.1Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. SmartGitGit GUI Clients 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitKraken Desktop — where it wins

    • Interactive rebase, LFS, submodules, and conflict editing
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with offline support
    • Integrates with major Git hosts, Jira, Trello, and GitHub Issues

    Where it doesn't

    • Private repository access starts above the Community plan
    • Advanced team controls require higher-tier plans
    • Business pricing is custom quote only

  • SmartGit — where it wins

    • Interactive rebase, conflict solving, submodules, and Git LFS locking
    • Supports GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with bundled Git and SSH clients

    Where it doesn't

    • Hobby licensing is limited to personal, non-commercial use
    • Enterprise integrations are excluded from the Hobby plan
    • Free eligibility requires registration, an educational email, or verification
  • GitKraken Desktop9.1/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A mature Git GUI with deep repository workflows, hosting integrations, and team tiers.

    Visit GitKrakenFull verdict →
  • SmartGit9.0/10 · Free plan

    A capable cross-platform Git client with broad workflows and accessible commercial pricing.

    Visit SmartGitFull verdict →

More comparisons

All git GUI clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update