The choice in context
GitHub Desktop emphasizes a straightforward GitHub-oriented workflow, with diff review and visual commit management. Compare that approach with the branch visualization and hosted review tools you need from a Git client. [1]
At a glance
Different strengths. Choose by what matters to you.
Consider Git Workbench if…
Git Workbench
- Use official Linux packages as well as macOS and Windows builds.
- Review requests across GitHub.com, GitLab, Bitbucket Cloud, and Gitea.
- Follow parallel branch history in a commit graph with replay and file archaeology.
Product details: project documentation [5]
Consider GitHub Desktop if…
GitHub Desktop
- Keep a client focused on GitHub-oriented desktop collaboration.
- Use the officially documented Windows and macOS platforms and GitHub account workflows.
Product details: official source [4]
Git Workbench vs GitHub Desktop
| What matters | Git Workbench [source] | GitHub Desktop [source] |
|---|---|---|
| Official desktop platforms | Linux x86_64 packages, plus macOS and Windows builds. | Officially supported on Windows and macOS; Linux community builds are separate. [2] |
| License and source | MIT-licensed source; free for personal and commercial use. | MIT-licensed open-source desktop application. [3] |
| Local repositories and accounts | Local Git works without a hosting account; connect a provider only for hosted review features. | Can open local repositories; GitHub and GitHub Enterprise accounts power its provider-specific workflow. [4] |
| History view | Multi-branch graph, time-machine replay, and file archaeology with commit context. | History view lists commits and lets you inspect each commit’s changed files and diff. [6] |
| Change review and staging | Unified or side-by-side diffs; stage files, hunks, or selected lines. | Review changed files in unified or split diffs and select changes; line-level discard is documented. [9] |
| Branch and commit operations | Merge, rebase, cherry-pick, revert, and preview selected local history rewrites. | Merge, rebase, squash, cherry-pick, amend, revert, and reorder commits through the desktop UI. [8] |
| Pull-request checkout | Open a request in a separate worktree so the current checkout and dirty files stay in place. | Check out the pull-request branch to inspect its commits, files, and checks in the local repository. [7] |
| Pull-request review actions | Read diffs, comments, review state, and checks for supported providers in-app. | View request details and checks in Desktop; comments, formal reviews, and merging take place on GitHub. [7] |
| Enterprise hosting | GitHub.com is supported; GitHub Enterprise review integration is not currently supported. | Supports GitHub Enterprise accounts as well as GitHub.com. [4] |
Official desktop platforms
- Git Workbench
- Linux x86_64 packages, plus macOS and Windows builds.
- GitHub Desktop
- Officially supported on Windows and macOS; Linux community builds are separate. [2]
License and source
- Git Workbench
- MIT-licensed source; free for personal and commercial use.
- GitHub Desktop
- MIT-licensed open-source desktop application. [3]
Local repositories and accounts
- Git Workbench
- Local Git works without a hosting account; connect a provider only for hosted review features.
- GitHub Desktop
- Can open local repositories; GitHub and GitHub Enterprise accounts power its provider-specific workflow. [4]
History view
- Git Workbench
- Multi-branch graph, time-machine replay, and file archaeology with commit context.
- GitHub Desktop
- History view lists commits and lets you inspect each commit’s changed files and diff. [6]
Change review and staging
- Git Workbench
- Unified or side-by-side diffs; stage files, hunks, or selected lines.
- GitHub Desktop
- Review changed files in unified or split diffs and select changes; line-level discard is documented. [9]
Branch and commit operations
- Git Workbench
- Merge, rebase, cherry-pick, revert, and preview selected local history rewrites.
- GitHub Desktop
- Merge, rebase, squash, cherry-pick, amend, revert, and reorder commits through the desktop UI. [8]
Pull-request checkout
- Git Workbench
- Open a request in a separate worktree so the current checkout and dirty files stay in place.
- GitHub Desktop
- Check out the pull-request branch to inspect its commits, files, and checks in the local repository. [7]
Pull-request review actions
- Git Workbench
- Read diffs, comments, review state, and checks for supported providers in-app.
- GitHub Desktop
- View request details and checks in Desktop; comments, formal reviews, and merging take place on GitHub. [7]
Enterprise hosting
- Git Workbench
- GitHub.com is supported; GitHub Enterprise review integration is not currently supported.
- GitHub Desktop
- Supports GitHub Enterprise accounts as well as GitHub.com. [4]
Workbench capabilities link to project documentation; competitor details link to official product sources. Platform and plan details can change, so check the sources before deciding.
Where Git Workbench has an edge
Workbench is the stronger fit when your desktop is Linux or your reviews span GitLab, Bitbucket Cloud, or Gitea as well as GitHub.com. Its branch-lane history and file archaeology also go beyond a GitHub-centered daily workflow. [project source]
Choose a project-published Linux build
Git Workbench ships its own Linux packages and AppImage. Compare their installation and update flow with the community Desktop build you currently use before switching.
See how it works →Follow parallel branch history
Colored lanes, branch and tag badges, and parent navigation make branch relationships visible. Select a commit to inspect its files and patch in the same workspace.
See how it works →Bring several review providers together
Read and submit hosted reviews through GitHub.com, GitLab, Bitbucket Cloud, or Gitea connections. A separate review worktree lets you inspect a request without replacing your active checkout.
See how it works →When GitHub Desktop may fit better
GitHub Desktop may be preferable if its focused interface already fits your GitHub or GitHub Enterprise workflow. Account compatibility can be more important than switching clients, particularly when an organization requires GitHub Enterprise. [4]
Before you switch
- Git Workbench currently does not support GitHub Enterprise review integration, which may be decisive for an organization.
- Community Linux builds of GitHub Desktop exist; official support and community availability are different choices.
- Git Workbench uses your system Git and separate app settings. Existing GitHub Desktop account sessions are not automatically transferred.
Finish any active Git operation in your existing client, keep a backup of work that Git does not track, and open the local repository in Git Workbench. Configure its commit profile and optional providers separately; no repository-format conversion is needed.