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HomeLinux15 Best Git Clients for Linux Desktop | Our Picks & Recommendations

15 Best Git Clients for Linux Desktop | Our Picks & Recommendations

As a Linux user, you need to update software source code frequently. You may use a command line to do the task. But, when you need to handle a large project, then it becomes lengthy and difficult also. On the other hand, it is also quite impossible to point out the entire branch structure using the command line. Nowadays, all the mastermind Linux users are frequently using Git tools for software controlling management and development. The tasks are very simple and quite easier with git client Linux. That is why we take the step to introduce you to some of the best git clients for Linux.

Best Git Clients for Linux


There are so many git tools you will find online. But, all the time, it is not possible to pick the best app for you maybe. That is why we make a list of the 15 best git clients for Linux. You can use any of them for purposes, and we can say no one on this list will let you down.

1. GitKraken


This is the smoothest and coolest apps in my many experiences. This application is also available for Mac OS and windows. This is really a wonderful and useful app for your personal use. You can also buy its Enterprise package if you need to workgroup-wise.

gitkraken

Important Features at a Glance

  • Commit graphs are customizable. So, you can use it in your own way.
  • Excellent performance when you work with a large file.
  • For making any correction, it has quick undo and redo options.
  • Fuzzy finder support helps to navigate commands as well as actions quickly.
  • Multiple profiles are supported.

Download GitKraken

2. UnGit


I personally love UnGit because of its simple operation, favorable graphical user interface (GUI), smooth performance, and so on. Though it is free, it is super powerful. The application is created based on Javascript, and its performance is faster than any other similar tool. Really, it is one of the best git clients for Linux.

ungit

Important Features at a Glance

  • You can use it on any platform if that is node.js and git support.
  • The clean, clear, and the easy graphical interface makes it easy to understand operations.
  • Gerrit integration through the plugin.
  • It is web-based. You can use it on pure shell machines or cloud platforms.

Download UnGit

3. GitCola


GotCola is obviously free and open-source as well. In fact, it is an example of a Linux open-source tool. This tool can be run in almost all desktops. On the side, it is quite easy to maintain and update. Its interface can be broken down into 4 panes for quick navigation. It does not have a lot of options, but it contains all of your needs. That’s the reason people love this Git client for Linux operating systems.

Gitcola

Important Features at a Glance

  • Support multiple sub-commands
  • Support multiple languages.
  • Easily configurable and support various environments.
  • Highly customizable window settings.

Download GitCola

4. Cycligent


Cycligent is a GUI-based Git tool. It has an intuitive interface to navigate and manage one more branch. Its configuration is really awesome that is committed to delivering a fast and excellent workflow. And this workflow can be divided into groups and selective user IDs. That is the reason for choosing Cycligent as a perfect graphical git client.

Cycligent

Important Features at a Glance

  • Trouble in merging, building, and deploying is no more as it contained a cloud-based deployment option.
  • Data management is so easy using cloud storage.
  • Named branches can be created; that is why separate branching for every developer does not require.
  • It is configured in such a way to deliver excellent workflow.

Download Cycligent

5. GitEye


It is a cross-platform and freeware application that can be used free of cost. Though it is not open source but its operating process is very easy for every user. It is CloudForge, and TeamForge supported as well as Github interfacing. If you ask for which reason, we include it to the topnotch git client Linux, and we tell you to look at its amazing features such as versioning, planning, bug tracking, code review, build services, and so on. Fix your eyes below for other amazing features.

giteye

Important Features at a Glance

  • Navigate tasks easily, such as agile planning, defect tracking, code reviews, versioning, and so on.
  • It always offers you to visualize complete history.
  • Work comfortably as it supports different popular tools such as Jenkins, Bugzilla, Trac, Jira, and others.
  • And most importantly, its interface is quite easy for applying all the basic commands like commit, clone, push, pull, and merge.

Download GitEye

6. SmartGit


This is the other cross-platform git client for Linux. It is completely free for personal use, but you need to go for a paid version when you require teamwork. As an ideal git tool, its interface very clean and easy to use. It is quite perfect for those developers who require all essential features instead of a very colorful and attractive user interface.

smartgit

Important Features at a Glance

  • Support multiple git providers and also self-hosted.
  • Other source control support besides gits such as Mercurial and SVN.
  • Diff tool is very powerful and obviously easy to use.
  • Support Git-LFS commands such as locking, unlocking, and configuration of tracked files.
  • Log window is very updated, and that shows the working index and tree. But you can also use a classical window of your default system.

Download SmartGit

7. Gitg


The application was initially developed for the GNOME desktop environment and a set of some specific software. But, the app is open for other platforms (Mac) users also. The app is designed especially for searching the repositories. We like the application because of the following features.

gitg

Important Features at a Glance

  • The app is open-source. SO, you can modify it as the way you need.
  • It delivers exceptional and best working experience on GNOME desktop environment.
  • Tag and branch search helps you to find any history quickly.
  • Its interface is easy and clear. So, you can view the files simply fine.

Download Gitg

8. QGit


QGit is another best git client for the GNOME desktop environment. It lets you simply navigate the project history. This git tool also lets you see the commit as well as affected files. The app also contains a file tree browser for quick and smart search. However, its interface is not so attractive and modern but is very effective.

qgit

Important Features at a Glance

  • The app is so lightweight. It can be run smoothly on the old machine easily.
  • What do you need to understand any change? It shows you everything.
  • It allows the user to create keyboard shortcuts to apply the action.
  • It can launch diff viewer externally as diffuse.

Download QGit

9. Magit


This is a highly effective git tool. Actually, it is a plugin for the text editor “Emacs.” And it can be installed on all platforms that support Emacs. The tool is open-source, and it can enhance the interface of the git client for Linux. This is a great tool for the users who use Emacs for application development.

magit

Important Features at a Glance

  • The tool can work with the many git providers and obviously self-hosted.
  • This tool is ideal for users who dislike git GUI tools as it is text-based.
  • It simplifies commands and enhances syntax.
  • Improve the interface of the git client and improve the overall function.

Visit Homepage

10. Giggle


Giggle is absolutely free graphical git client for Linux. It was first developed in 2007, and it becomes popular just after release. Basically, it is a git viewer, and its user can browse repository history by using the software. Its performance is comparable to any best git client for Linux.

Giggle

Important Features at a Glance

  • It allows altering the repository by merging, committing files, creating branches, etc.
  • It summarizes the changing functions and browsing repositories on one program.
  • It has two modes, “History” for observing commit on the repository and “Browse” for navigating into the source tree.

Download Giggle

11. Git Force


It is an excellent git client for Linux users. If I say specifically, it is one of the best clients for the fresher. This git tool is designed to deliver the easiest and most effective experience for the users. Some users say that the tool can complete only the most common operation, but we say it lets you do all the things that you need exactly.

gitforce

Important Features at a Glance

  • Able to create multiple git branches and repos.
  • Local repos can be handled easily.
  • It is supported by various remote repos.
  • It has an intuitive graphical user interface with drop and drag options.

Download GitForce

12. GitAhead


GitAhead is a wonderful and advances git versioning tool, which interface is graphical. If you love graphical git tools, it can be your best choice. Some of the features make the tool more advanced and useful, such as user profile management, code management, easy filtering used to see commit, and so on.

Gitahead

Important Features at a Glance

  • It is available for the three most popular operating systems Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.
  • Smart search helps to find any file quickly and easily from various repositories.
  • The inbuilt editor easily allows managing conflicting code.
  • It has an excellent feature to analyze versioning, user actions, and branching.

Download GitAhead

13. Git Gui


Git Gui is another git tool that is created based on a graphical user interface. What do you need to do with a git tool modifying codes, local merges, create branches, making a new commit? It allows doing all the tasks. It is really an effective git client for Linux. But, it doesn’t have the option to see the project history. You also don’t need it if you do the task carefully.

gitgui

Important Features at a Glance

  • This git tool supports three popular operating systems Linux, Windows, and Mac OS.
  • Tree browser that shows all the files in the selective commit.
  • The menubar is very simple, and every user can understand it easily.

Visit Hompage

14. Sublime Merge


How many features need for a git tool to be an updated and most effective git client; it contains all of them. It has some features that make a difference to the other git tools, such as advanced diffs, syntax highlighting, merge tool, etc. If there are some specific effective tools in this list, this item is one of them.

sublime_merge

Important Features at a Glance

  • Integrated merge tool lets you merge and resolve conflict directory with the app.
  • The powerful search option allows searching anything quickly by typing file names, commit author, commit message, and wildcard patterns.
  • Advanced diffs show you every individual character changes for commit.
  • You can see the full history of the source code by clicking the hunk or file history.

Download Sublime

15. EGit


This is the last git of this content. We wanted to break down this content with an effective git tool. And happily, we can do it. EGit is a top-performing git tool that has many positive reviews from its users. You research enough about this application, and we don’t find any negative comments regarding this git tool. And that is why we enlist it in this list.

Egit

Important Features at a Glance

  • It has a clean action repository view which was never found in the other app as a part of the reset.
  • Rename detection feature is added in the history view.
  • It provides excellent workflow with drag and drops files.
  • The merge tool is very powerful, and it becomes effective when merging one more branch.

Download Egit

Finally, Insights


We tried to represent you all the best git clients for Linux. This list is not so large that is true, but you will never need to go out from this list to find a good quality git tool. Are you a fresher or expert user?  Here you find the application that will be suitable for both users. So, pick your favorite and best one. And share your experience with us.

Mehedi Hasan
Mehedi Hasan
Mehedi Hasan is a passionate enthusiast for technology. He admires all things tech and loves to help others understand the fundamentals of Linux, servers, networking, and computer security in an understandable way without overwhelming beginners. His articles are carefully crafted with this goal in mind - making complex topics more accessible.

13 COMMENTS

  1. Gittyup is the best free and opensource modern looking git GUI for Linux. Git-cola, gitg and qgit are good but their GUI look outdated to me. Gittyup is a fork of Git Ahead, which is not under active development, however Gittyup is under active development with recent commits and versions.

  2. GitKraken has updated their free package to make it much more restrictive. I’m looking through this list because they’re making me pay and it feels heavy handed.

    • After using GitKraken, I lost 4 weeks of work… since that time I only trust TERMINAL and GIT GUI.
      Gitkraken looks nice at first view, but it does very dirty things to your archive… and can never be used in another environment. It’s not that expensive, but it can ruin your life.

    • Furthermore, gitkraken sucks with large repositories. It’s great for small sized repos, but anything over 500mb to 1 GB and it becomes unusable. It will take almost over a minute to checkout from branches or to load a commit. It’s ridiculous.
      The best thing I ever did was change to GitExtensions.

  3. Or just use GIT on the terminal, like a real developer. Use VSCode to do work, and save you a keystroke here and there.

        • IntelliJ IDEA has been the most reliable IDE I’ve ever used for Python, LUA, and web, and unlike VSCode it’s not written on a browser engine and can actually parse an entire ProBoards forum page.
          real devs don’t use VSCode 😉

          • I’m not gonna lie, I quite like VSCode. I find it quite useful for pretty much anything I do at work, since almost everything I need can be installed via package manager, plus is quite lightweight and since I usually work with multiple languages at a time it’s been very helpful.
            But yes, I don’t think there’s a single IDE that is the one “real devs” use, there are simply preferences and better tools for a given tasks.

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