Best GitKraken Desktop Alternatives in 2026
The top GitKraken Desktop alternatives are Gitember, platypusgit and SmartGit: 15 git GUI clients our editors would look at instead of GitKraken Desktop, in our ranking order.
GitKraken Desktop: A mature Git GUI with deep repository workflows, hosting integrations, and team tiers. Where it falls short: private repository access starts above the community plan.
Switching from GitKraken Desktop? For most git gui clients buyers the best GitKraken Desktop alternative is Gitember, built for free users needing broad Git and review workflows. On a budget, Tower starts at $5.75/user/mo.
Why People Look for a GitKraken Desktop Alternative
- Private repository access starts above the Community plan
- Advanced team controls require higher-tier plans
- Business pricing is custom quote only
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGitember9.4
Free users needing broad Git and review workflows
Visit Gitember - Lowest priceTower8.3
Paid plans from $5.75/user/mo
Visit Tower - Best free optionGitember9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Gitember
All 15 GitKraken Desktop Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forFree users needing broad Git and review workflows
- Better than GitKraken Desktop:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.1
A broad, free Git desktop client with history, review, LFS, submodules, and local AI.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Gitember -
Best forFree power users who want deep Git control
- Better than GitKraken Desktop:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.1
Deep Git control across macOS, Windows, and Linux without accounts or telemetry.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
9.3/10★★★★★Visit platypusgit -
Best forTeams wanting a polished paid Git client
A capable cross-platform Git client with broad workflows and accessible commercial pricing.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit SmartGit -
Best forDevelopers focused on advanced conflict resolution
A free Git GUI for developers who need detailed conflict analysis and resolution control.
- Offline mode
- Interactive rebase
- Conflict editor
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit GitWand -
Best forFree users wanting a capable general-purpose client
A capable free Git client with strong repository controls and broad desktop support.
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
- Conflict editor
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit SourceGit -
Best forUsers wanting a low-cost, focused Git GUI
A focused, low-cost Git GUI with strong repository and conflict workflows.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit GitComet -
Best forFree users needing detailed staging and history tools
A capable free Git GUI for detailed staging, history work, and advanced repository operations.
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
- Git submodules
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Gitnuro -
Best forFree users wanting a straightforward complete GUI
A capable open-source Git desktop client for users who want straightforward local control.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Git Cola -
Best forDevelopers managing parallel streams of work
A focused Git client for parallel, stacked, and carefully managed development work.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit GitButler -
Best forProfessional teams paying for workflow depth
A paid Git GUI with deep repository workflows and team-focused plans.
- Offline mode
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tower -
Best forDevelopers who want detailed Git control on desktop
A paid desktop Git client with detailed staging, diffs, history search and conflict tools.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Sublime Merge -
Best forMac users needing rich hosting integrations
A feature-rich Mac Git client with broad hosting integrations and no free plan.
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
- Conflict editor
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Gitfox -
Best forMac users who value undo and repository rollback
A rollback-focused Git GUI for Mac users who want deep local repository control.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit GitUp -
Best forGit users on Windows or macOS
A capable free Git GUI for visual history, precise staging, and advanced branch workflows.
- Git LFS support
- Interactive rebase
- Git submodules
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Sourcetree -
Best forUsers working across GitHub and GitLab repositories
A free desktop Git client for managing repositories across GitHub and GitLab.
- Offline mode
- Conflict editor
- Git submodules
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit GitQlient
GitKraken Desktop Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to GitKraken Desktop?
Gitember: #1 in our Git GUI Clients ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, free Git desktop client with history, review, LFS, submodules, and local AI.
Is there a free alternative to GitKraken Desktop?
Yes. Gitember, platypusgit, SmartGit, GitWand and SourceGit have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for GitKraken Desktop alternatives?
Private repository access starts above the Community plan; Advanced team controls require higher-tier plans; Business pricing is custom quote only.
How do I switch from GitKraken Desktop?
Export your data from GitKraken Desktop (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel GitKraken Desktop.
How to Switch from GitKraken Desktop
- Export your data from GitKraken Desktop (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel GitKraken Desktop.
GitKraken Desktop vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Offline mode | Git LFS support | Git submodules | Conflict editor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | GitKraken Desktop | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 1 | Gitember | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | platypusgit | Yes | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | SmartGit | Yes | windows, macos, linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | GitWand | Yes | Free | macos, linux, windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | SourceGit | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | GitComet | Yes | €20 one-time | Linux, macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Gitnuro | Yes | Free | Linux, macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 8 | Git Cola | Yes | Free | windows, macos, linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | GitButler | Yes | Free | 8.4 | |||||
| 10 | Tower | No | $5.75/user/mo | macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | Sublime Merge | No | 8.2 | ||||||
| 12 | Gitfox | No | €5/user/mo | macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | GitUp | Yes | Free | 8.0 | |||||
| 14 | Sourcetree | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | GitQlient | Yes | Free | windows, macos, linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- GitKraken Desktop vs Gitember
- GitKraken Desktop vs platypusgit
- GitKraken Desktop vs SmartGit
- GitKraken Desktop vs GitWand
- GitKraken Desktop vs SourceGit
- GitKraken Desktop vs GitComet
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update