Alternatives to Git
A free and open-source distributed version control system for projects of any size. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Git
A free and open-source distributed version control system for projects of any size.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Git.
Sapling
A scalable source control client from Meta that also works with Git repositories and GitHub.
Sapling is Meta's source control client that works with Git repositories and GitHub, adding stacked commits, but it uses different commands and concepts and is not open source.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Git as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Git for Windows
The official Windows port of Git, including Git Bash, Git GUI and the credential manager.
Git is the upstream GPL-2.0 project that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, but without the Windows installer, Git Bash bundle or credential manager packaging.
Jujutsu
A version control system with a simpler model than git, which uses git repositories as storage so it works with existing projects and hosts.
Git returns you to the standard GPL-2.0 system with a large ecosystem of GUIs and hosts, but you keep the staging area and a steeper command-line learning curve.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
GitHub
A web platform for hosting Git repositories, with issues, code review, automation and AI coding help.
Gitea
Host Git repositories and code review on your own server.
Git LFS
A Git extension that stores large files on a remote server and keeps text pointers in the repository.
GitButler
A Git client and CLI with stacked and parallel branches, unlimited undo and simple history editing.
SmartGit
A cross-platform graphical Git client with visual history, conflict resolution and pull request support.
TortoiseGit
A Windows Explorer shell extension that adds Git commands and status overlay icons.
