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Best Fork Alternatives in 2026

#8 of 24 in Git Clients

The top Fork alternatives are GitKraken Desktop, Git and TortoiseGit: 15 git clients our editors would look at instead of Fork, in our ranking order.

6.8/10Editor score
Fork6.8 Visit Fork

Fork: Fork covers core visual Git workflows with a one-time $59 desktop license. Where it falls short: no free plan; the license costs $59 per user.

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. Scores and reviews are set by our editors and never change for payment; paid placements are marked Featured. How we rank.

  1. Best forTeams wanting a full-featured visual Git client

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

    Free plan · 14-day trial Our GitKraken Desktop verdict → Visit GitKraken
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit GitKraken
  2. Git

    Best forTeams and developers comfortable with command-line Git

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

    Free plan Our Git verdict → Visit Git
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Git
  3. Best forWindows users who prefer Git in File Explorer

    A capable Explorer-based Git client for Windows, with a separate Git installation required.

    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit TortoiseGit
  4. Best forFree Git GUI users on Windows or macOS

    A free visual Git client with granular staging, history tools, LFS, and Git-flow.

    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit Sourcetree
  5. Tower

    Best forTeams seeking paid Git workflows and collaboration

    A paid desktop Git client with visual workflows, pull requests, and team plans.

    From $5.75/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Our Tower verdict → Visit Tower
    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Tower
  6. gitg

    Best forLinux or Windows users needing basic visual Git tasks

    A free visual Git client for common repository tasks on Linux and Windows.

    Free plan Our gitg verdict → Visit gitg
    6.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit gitg
  7. Kommit

    Best forLinux users seeking a basic graphical Git client

    A focused Linux desktop interface for browsing, reviewing, and resolving Git changes.

    Open source Our Kommit verdict → Visit KDE
    6.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit KDE
  8. SmartGit

    Best forCross-platform users who want deep Git tools affordably

    A desktop Git client with advanced workflows and a free plan for eligible users.

    Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo Our SmartGit verdict → Visit SmartGit
    6.6/10★★★☆☆
    Visit SmartGit
  9. GitButler

    Best forDevelopers juggling parallel and stacked branches

    A free Git client for managing parallel and stacked branches in one working directory.

    6.5/10★★★☆☆
    Visit GitButler
  10. SourceGit

    Best forFree cross-platform users who want extensive Git controls

    A free desktop Git client with deep repository controls and pull-request creation.

    6.3/10★★★☆☆
    Visit SourceGit
  11. Git Cola

    Best forFree, open-source Git users on desktop systems

    An open-source desktop Git client with staging, history, rebase, LFS, and submodule tools.

    6.1/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Git Cola
  12. Gitnuro

    Best forFree users wanting broad Git workflows on three platforms

    A free desktop Git client with broad repository workflows across three platforms.

    6.0/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Gitnuro
  13. Gitfox

    Best forMac developers who want advanced Git tools

    Gitfox brings detailed Git workflows to Mac, with Pro pricing from €5 per user monthly on annual billing.

    From €5/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Our Gitfox verdict → Visit Gitfox
    5.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Gitfox
  14. Best foriPhone and iPad users managing Git repositories

    A feature-rich iOS Git client for local work, repository editing and remote collaboration.

    Free plan · 10-day trial Our Working Copy verdict → Visit Working Copy
    5.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Working Copy
  15. Best forGame teams managing large binary assets with Git

    A game-focused Git client for teams handling large assets and engine-based workflows.

    Free plan · paid from €20/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Our Anchorpoint verdict → Visit Anchorpoint
    5.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Anchorpoint

Fork Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to Fork?

GitKraken Desktop: #1 in our Git Clients ranking, with an editor score of 9.0 out of 10. A visual Git workspace with advanced workflows, conflict tools, and hosting integrations.

Is there a free alternative to Fork?

Yes. GitKraken Desktop, Git, TortoiseGit, Sourcetree and gitg have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Fork vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported platformsRepository hostingVisual historyConflict resolutionScore
8ForkNo—macOS, WindowsGitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, self-hosted Git repositoriesYesYes6.8
1GitKraken DesktopYes—————9.0
2GitYesNone————8.2
3TortoiseGitYesNone————7.7
4SourcetreeYesNone————7.4
5TowerNo—————7.1
6gitgYesNone————6.9
7Kommit—None————6.8
9SmartGitYes—————6.6
10GitButlerYesNone————6.5
11SourceGitYesNone————6.3
12Git ColaYesNone————6.1
13GitnuroYesNone————6.0
14GitfoxNo—————5.9
15Working CopyYes—————5.8
16AnchorpointYes—Windows, macOS———5.8

Head-to-Head

Guides on Git Clients

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update