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Comparison · Git clients

GitHub Desktop vs GitUI: which is better in 2026?

GitHub Desktop90.0#1 in best git clientsGitUI87.0#4 in best git clients

GitHub Desktop ranks higher in our list of git clients (#1 against #4, score 90.0 against 87.0).

How we rank Share

  • 90.0
    Editorial score
    87.0
  • 2
    Platforms
    4
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • Yes
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose GitHub Desktop if you want

GitHub users who want a simple free client.

The simplest free client here, MIT-licensed and built for GitHub repositories. Linux has no official build, and advanced Git operations may still need the command line.

Choose GitUI if you want

Fast Git work in a terminal window.

MIT-licensed terminal UI for Git, written in Rust, with a graphical-style workflow in a terminal. It is free and fast, and it ranks just below lazygit here, with a speed benchmark the author published.

The main differences

  • Only GitUI runs on Linux.

Side by side

GitHub DesktopGitUI
Score90.087.0
Rank in list#1 of 10#4 of 10
PriceFree and open sourceFree and open source under the MIT license; source on GitHubFree and open sourceMIT-licensed and free to install
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceYesYes
PlatformsmacOSWindowsmacOS, WindowsWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineWindows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Made byGitHubGitUI project
InterfaceGraphicalTerminal UI
Linux supportNoYes
Best forGitHub users who want a simple free clientFast Git work in a terminal window
Strengths
  • Free and open source under the MIT license
  • Built around GitHub repositories
  • MIT-licensed and free
  • Fast, written in Rust
  • Packages for many Linux distributions
Limits
  • Linux is not officially supported
  • Some advanced Git operations need the command line
  • Key bindings need learning before use
  • Benchmarks are the author's own
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about GitHub Desktop vs GitUI

Is GitHub Desktop better than GitUI?
GitHub Desktop ranks higher in our list of git clients (#1 against #4, score 90.0 against 87.0). GitHub Desktop is best for: GitHub users who want a simple free client. GitUI is best for: fast Git work in a terminal window.
Which is cheaper, GitHub Desktop or GitUI?
GitHub Desktop: Free and open source under the MIT license; source on GitHub. GitUI: MIT-licensed and free to install.
Do GitHub Desktop and GitUI run on the same platforms?
GitHub Desktop supports macOS, Windows. GitUI supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

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