GitKraken

What is GitKraken?

GitKraken is a popular cross-platform Git client developed by Axosoft that combines powerful version control capabilities with an intuitive visual interface. Since its launch in 2014, GitKraken has become one of the most widely-used Git GUI applications, particularly popular among developers who appreciate its beautiful design, clear commit graph visualization, and seamless integration with major Git hosting platforms like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps.

What distinguishes GitKraken from other Git clients is its focus on making Git accessible without sacrificing power. The application features a striking visual commit graph that makes understanding repository history intuitive, while built-in features for pull requests, issue tracking, and team collaboration enable complete development workflows without leaving the application. GitKraken includes a built-in code editor and merge conflict tool, creating a self-contained environment for common development tasks.

GitKraken offers both free and paid tiers, making professional Git tooling accessible to individual developers while providing team features for organizations. The application runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and includes its own Git implementation (LibGit2), eliminating the need to install Git separately. With millions of developers worldwide using GitKraken and strong integration with popular development platforms, it has established itself as a leading choice for visual Git management.

Key Features

• Visual Commit Graph: Beautiful, color-coded visualization of branches, commits, and merges that makes understanding repository history intuitive at a glance.
• Built-in Merge Conflict Editor: Visual three-pane merge tool with syntax highlighting helps resolve conflicts without external tools.
• Pull Request Management: Create, view, and manage pull requests for GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps directly within the application.
• Issue Tracking Integration: Connect to issue trackers and view, create, and link issues to commits and branches seamlessly.
• Interactive Rebase: Drag-and-drop interface for reordering, squashing, and editing commits makes interactive rebase accessible.
• Git Flow Support: Built-in Git Flow integration with visual buttons for starting and finishing features, releases, and hotfixes.
• Team Features: Share repositories, collaborate on conflicts, and manage team permissions through GitKraken workspaces.
• Built-in Code Editor: Edit files directly within GitKraken without switching to an external editor for quick changes.
• Undo/Redo: Intuitive undo functionality that can reverse most Git operations, reducing fear of making mistakes.
• Profile Management: Easy switching between different Git identities and hosting accounts for work and personal projects.

Recent Updates and Improvements

GitKraken receives regular updates with new features, performance improvements, and expanded integrations to support modern development workflows.

• Workspaces: Organize multiple repositories into workspaces for easier management of related projects and microservices.
• Cloud Patches: Share work-in-progress changes with team members without committing to the repository.
• Focus View: Simplified interface mode that highlights active work and hides complexity for daily tasks.
• Improved Performance: Faster loading and rendering for large repositories with many branches and commits.
• Enhanced PR Reviews: Improved pull request review interface with better commenting and approval workflows.
• Jira Integration: Deeper Jira integration for tracking issues and linking work to development activity.
• Commit Signing: GPG and SSH commit signing support for verified commits in security-conscious environments.
• Self-Hosted Support: Improved support for self-hosted GitLab, GitHub Enterprise, and Bitbucket Server installations.

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• Processor: Dual-core processor
• RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
• Storage: 200 MB for installation
• No separate Git installation required

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.15 or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (native support)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
• Storage: 200 MB available space
• No separate Git installation required

Linux

• Distribution: Ubuntu 18.04+, Fedora, Debian, or compatible
• Desktop: X11 or Wayland
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB available space
• libcurl and libsecret for authentication

How to Install GitKraken

Windows Installation

1. Visit gitkraken.com and download the Windows installer
2. Run the downloaded installer
3. GitKraken installs and launches automatically
4. Sign in with your GitKraken account or hosting provider
5. Clone or open a repository to begin

# Using Windows Package Manager
winget install Axosoft.GitKraken

# Using Chocolatey
choco install gitkraken

# Launch
gitkraken

macOS Installation

1. Download DMG from gitkraken.com
2. Open the DMG file
3. Drag GitKraken to Applications folder
4. Launch from Applications
5. Authenticate with hosting provider when prompted

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask gitkraken

# Launch
open -a "GitKraken"

Linux Installation

# Ubuntu/Debian - Download .deb package
wget https://release.gitkraken.com/linux/gitkraken-amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i gitkraken-amd64.deb
sudo apt-get install -f

# Fedora/RHEL - Download .rpm package
wget https://release.gitkraken.com/linux/gitkraken-amd64.rpm
sudo rpm -i gitkraken-amd64.rpm

# Using Snap
sudo snap install gitkraken --classic

# Using Flatpak
flatpak install flathub com.axosoft.GitKraken

# Launch
gitkraken

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Intuitive Visual Interface: Beautiful design and clear commit graph make Git operations understandable for visual learners and newcomers.
• Platform Integrations: Deep integration with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps for seamless pull request and issue management.
• Cross-Platform: Consistent experience across Windows, macOS, and Linux with native performance on each platform.
• No Git Required: Bundles its own Git implementation, simplifying setup and ensuring consistent behavior.
• Undo Feature: Forgiving undo functionality reduces fear of making mistakes when learning Git operations.
• Free Tier Available: Individual developers can use core features free for local and public repositories.
• Team Collaboration: Built-in features for team workspaces, shared settings, and collaborative conflict resolution.

Cons

• Resource Heavy: Electron-based application consumes significant memory and can be slow on older hardware.
• Paid Features: Many useful features like private repository support require a paid subscription.
• Account Required: Requires GitKraken account even for basic usage, unlike some competitors.
• Occasional Sync Issues: Some users report synchronization problems with hosting platform integrations.
• Performance with Large Repos: Can become slow with very large repositories compared to native Git clients.

GitKraken vs Alternatives

Who Should Use GitKraken?

GitKraken is ideal for:

• Git Beginners: Those new to version control benefit from the visual interface and forgiving undo functionality.
• Visual Learners: Developers who understand concepts better through visual representation than text commands.
• Development Teams: Organizations needing collaboration features, shared settings, and team management.
• Multi-Platform Teams: Teams with developers on Windows, macOS, and Linux who need consistent tooling.
• GitHub/GitLab Power Users: Those who frequently work with pull requests and want integrated management.
• Open Source Contributors: The free tier supports public repositories, perfect for open source work.

GitKraken may not be ideal for:

• Performance-Sensitive Users: Those with limited hardware or working with massive repositories may prefer native clients.
• Command-Line Devotees: Developers who prefer terminal workflows and keyboard-driven interfaces.
• Budget-Conscious Professionals: Those needing private repository support without subscription costs.
• Minimal Tool Users: Developers who prefer lightweight, focused tools over feature-rich applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GitKraken free to use?

GitKraken offers a free tier that includes core features for local repositories and public hosted repositories on GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. Working with private repositories requires a paid subscription (Pro at $4.95/month or Teams at $8.95/user/month). Students and educators can get free access through the GitHub Education program. The free tier is fully functional for open source development.

Do I need to install Git separately?

No, GitKraken bundles its own Git implementation based on NodeGit (LibGit2), so no separate Git installation is required. This simplifies setup and ensures consistent behavior across platforms. However, if you have Git installed, GitKraken can use your existing SSH keys and Git configuration automatically.

How does GitKraken compare to command-line Git?

GitKraken provides visual representation of Git operations that can make complex histories easier to understand. For tasks like reviewing changes, resolving conflicts, and understanding branch relationships, the GUI can be faster and clearer. The command line remains more flexible for scripting and some advanced operations. Many developers use both, choosing the tool best suited for each task.

Can GitKraken work with self-hosted Git servers?

Yes, GitKraken supports self-hosted instances of GitHub Enterprise, GitLab, Bitbucket Server, and Azure DevOps Server. Configuration requires the Pro or Teams subscription. For plain Git servers without hosting platform features, GitKraken can clone and work with repositories via SSH or HTTPS, though platform-specific features like pull requests require a supported hosting platform.

What is GitKraken Workspaces?

Workspaces allow you to group related repositories together for easier management. This is particularly useful for microservices architectures or projects spanning multiple repositories. You can perform operations across workspace repositories, track issues across projects, and share workspace configurations with team members. Workspaces help organize complex development environments.

Final Verdict

GitKraken has earned its position as one of the leading Git clients by combining approachable design with professional-grade features. For developers who find the command line intimidating or who simply prefer visual tools, GitKraken provides a welcoming entry point to version control that grows with their skills and needs.

The application strengths lie in its visual commit graph, platform integrations, and collaborative features. The ability to manage pull requests, track issues, and resolve conflicts without leaving the application creates an efficient workflow. The free tier makes it accessible for personal and open source projects, while team features justify the subscription cost for organizations.

While GitKraken resource consumption may concern users with limited hardware, and the subscription model may not suit everyone, the application delivers genuine value for its target audience. Teams seeking a Git client that enables collaboration, beginners wanting visual understanding of Git, and developers who appreciate polished tools will find GitKraken an excellent choice. For those prioritizing raw performance or minimal interfaces, alternatives like Sublime Merge may be more appropriate, but GitKraken excels at making Git accessible and pleasant to use.