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GitHub Desktop

GitHub's free, open-source Git client that keeps everyday commits, branches and pull requests simple.

FreeOpen sourceGit clients
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4 of 4
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About GitHub Desktop

GitHub Desktop is the official desktop client from GitHub. It covers the everyday loop well: clone a repository, see what changed, stage files or individual lines, write a commit, push, and open a pull request on GitHub in one click. History editing is handled with drag and drop, so cherry-picking, squashing and reordering commits does not need an interactive rebase in the terminal. It works with any Git remote, but signing in, cloning and pull-request features are clearly built around GitHub and GitHub Enterprise. The app is free and the code is open source under the MIT licence, built on Electron. It runs on Windows and macOS only; Linux users rely on community forks. Its strength is how little it asks of beginners, which is also its limit: there is no full commit graph across branches, no interactive rebase view and fewer tools for complex merges than paid clients. Many developers keep it for routine work and drop to the command line for anything unusual.

Best for: Beginners and GitHub users who want a friendly client for routine commits and pull requests.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free and MIT-licensed, maintained by GitHub
  • Very easy to learn, with line-level staging
  • Drag and drop to cherry-pick, squash and reorder commits

Why people leave

  • No official Linux build
  • Lacks a full branch graph and advanced rebase tools
  • Account and pull-request features are GitHub-centric

Top GitHub Desktop alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Sourcetree logo
    Sourcetree

    Also free, but shows the full branch graph and adds interactive rebase, Git-flow and Git LFS.

    66.5
  2. 2GitKraken Desktop logo
    GitKraken Desktop

    Adds a visual commit graph and Linux support while staying approachable for newcomers.

    62.6
  3. 3Fo
    Fork

    A one-time purchase that keeps things simple but adds interactive rebase and a proper merge tool.

    59.6
  4. 4SourceGit logo
    SourceGit

    Free, open source and cross-platform, including Linux, with a richer set of Git operations.

    57.2
  5. 5GitButler logo
    GitButler

    Free to use and better for juggling several branches at once from one working directory.

    55.3

Why people left GitHub Desktop

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from GitHub Desktop, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

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GitHub Desktop: common questions

Is GitHub Desktop free?

Yes, GitHub Desktop is free to use.

Is GitHub Desktop open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at desktop/desktop.

What platforms does GitHub Desktop run on?

GitHub Desktop is available for Windows and macOS.

What are the best alternatives to GitHub Desktop?

The highest-ranked GitHub Desktop alternatives right now are Sourcetree, GitKraken Desktop and Fork. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 GitHub Desktop alternatives