Version Control

Discover, compare, and save the best version control alternatives.

Version Control software helps developers manage changes to their codebase over time. It's essential for teams working on large projects, allowing multiple contributors to collaborate on code without conflicts. Version Control systems track changes, enabling developers to revert to previous versions if needed. When choosing a Version Control system, consider factors like scalability, security, and integration with your existing development tools. Different alternatives offer varying features, such as GitLab's built-in CI/CD pipelines and GitHub's extensive community and project management tools. Weighing these differences will help you find the best fit for your team's specific needs.

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GitLab

GitLab is a web-based DevOps lifecycle tool that provides a Git-repository manager providing wiki, issue-tracking and continuous integration.

✦ Best for engineering teams seeking all-in-one devops solutions

FreemiumProprietaryVersion ControlBuilt-in CI/CDSecurity ScanningSelf-managed Option

GitHub

GitHub is the world's largest platform for hosting Git repositories, combining version control with code review, issue tracking, and CI/CD through GitHub Actions. It is the default home for the vast majority of open-source projects and a standard tool at software companies of every size. Pull requests are the core collaboration unit, providing inline code review, required status checks, and merge queues that keep the main branch stable. GitHub Actions extends this into full CI/CD pipelines defined directly alongside the code in YAML workflows. GitHub Copilot, built into the editor and now the platform itself, brings AI code completion and chat-based assistance directly into the development workflow, while GitHub Advanced Security adds automated vulnerability and secret scanning.

✦ Best for large-scale open-source projects

FreemiumProprietaryVersion ControlPull RequestsGitHub ActionsIssues

semantic-release

Semantic-release is a fully automated version management and package publishing tool. It automates the release process for software projects, handling versioning, changelogs, and publishing to package managers.

✦ Best for github-based devops teams

FreeMITVersion ControlAutomated VersioningRelease AutomationChangelog Generation

vcsh

vcsh is a configuration manager that utilizes Git to manage and track changes to your system's configuration files. It provides a simple and efficient way to manage your system's configuration across multiple machines.

✦ Best for experienced linux system administrators

FreeGPL-2.0Version ControlGit-basedCross-platformConfig sync

lazygit

Lazygit is a terminal UI for git commands, providing an interactive and intuitive way to manage your git repositories. It allows you to perform various git operations, such as committing, pushing, and pulling, from a simple and easy-to-use interface.

✦ Best for casual git users and terminal fans

FreeMITVersion ControlTerminal-BasedGit IntegrationInteractive UI

github-readme-stats

github-readme-stats is a tool that generates dynamic statistics for your GitHub readmes. It allows you to showcase your GitHub stats, such as the number of repositories, followers, and stars, in a visually appealing way.

✦ Best for developers with basic github knowledge

FreeMITVersion ControlDynamic StatsGitHub IntegrationCustomizable

Gitea

Gitea is a lightweight, open‑source Git platform that you can run on your own servers. It provides a clean web UI, issue tracking, pull requests, and CI integration without the overhead of larger solutions. Designed for developers and teams, Gitea runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and via any web browser. It is free to use and supported by an active community and comprehensive documentation.

✦ Best for small dev teams wanting free, self‑hosted git with minimal setup

FreeMITVersion ControlCross‑PlatformSelf‑HostedIssue Tracking

Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a web-based version control repository manager that allows teams to collaborate on software development projects. It provides a centralized platform for managing code repositories, tracking changes, and collaborating with team members.

✦ Best for small to medium-sized software development teams

FreemiumProprietaryVersion ControlCode ReviewPull RequestsBranching

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between GitLab and GitHub?

While both GitLab and GitHub offer Version Control systems, GitLab is known for its self-hosted option and built-in CI/CD pipelines, whereas GitHub is famous for its large community and project management features.

Do I need to be a developer to use Version Control software?

No, you don't need to be a developer to use Version Control software. However, basic knowledge of coding concepts and version control principles can be helpful in getting the most out of these tools.

Can I use Version Control software for non-code projects?

Yes, Version Control software can be used for non-code projects, such as managing documents or binary files. However, it's most commonly used for software development projects.

Is Version Control software secure?

Reputable Version Control software, like GitLab and GitHub, prioritize security and offer features like encryption, access controls, and auditing to protect your codebase.