Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

git-cola VS GitHub Desktop Plus

Compare git-cola VS GitHub Desktop Plus and see what are their differences

git-cola logo git-cola

git-cola is a powerful GUI for git, a distributed revision control system.

GitHub Desktop Plus logo GitHub Desktop Plus

A GitHub Desktop fork with advanced functionality and Bitbucket, GitLab integration. - pol-rivero/github-desktop-plus
  • git-cola Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-03
  • GitHub Desktop Plus Landing page
    Landing page //
    2026-06-01

git-cola features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Git Cola provides a graphical user interface that simplifies version control for users who are uncomfortable with the command line.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Git Cola is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Git Cola is free to use and can be modified or extended by anyone.
  • Integration with Git
    Built specifically for Git, Git Cola offers deep integration with all features of Git, making it a powerful tool for Git users.
  • Customizable
    The application allows for extensive customization of its interface, layout, and behaviors to suit individual workflows.
  • Rich Set of Features
    Git Cola supports a wide range of Git functionalities including branching, merging, diff viewing, and stash management.

Possible disadvantages of git-cola

  • Learning Curve
    While user-friendly, the abundance of features and customization options might be overwhelming for new users.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users may experience performance slowdowns, particularly with very large repositories.
  • Dependency Management
    Installing Git Cola can sometimes be a hassle due to dependency issues, especially on Linux distributions.
  • Occasional Bugs
    As with many open-source projects, users may encounter bugs and crashes from time to time.
  • Less Active Development
    Compared to some commercial Git GUI tools, Git Cola might have less frequent updates and new feature additions.

GitHub Desktop Plus features and specs

  • Branch protection and safety features
    GitHub Desktop Plus adds branch protection rules that prevent accidental force pushes and other destructive operations on important branches, which is not available in the standard GitHub Desktop application.
  • Built on top of official GitHub Desktop
    Since it is a fork of the official GitHub Desktop client, it inherits all the familiar UI, stability, and features that users already know, while adding extra functionality on top.
  • Additional power-user features
    GitHub Desktop Plus includes features aimed at more advanced Git users, such as improved diff viewing, cherry-picking enhancements, and other workflow improvements that the official client lacks.
  • Open source and community-driven
    The project is open source, allowing users to inspect the code, contribute improvements, and customize the application to their needs. Community contributions help drive feature development.
  • Free to use
    Like the original GitHub Desktop, GitHub Desktop Plus is completely free, making it an accessible option for developers who want enhanced Git GUI functionality without paying for commercial tools like GitKraken or Sublime Merge.

Possible disadvantages of GitHub Desktop Plus

  • Potential lag behind upstream updates
    As a fork of GitHub Desktop, it may not always be immediately up to date with the latest changes and bug fixes from the official repository, potentially leading to delays in receiving upstream improvements.
  • Smaller community and support base
    Compared to the official GitHub Desktop, this fork has a much smaller user base, meaning fewer people are available to help with issues, report bugs, or contribute to development.
  • Possible stability concerns
    Additional features and modifications introduced in the fork may not undergo the same level of testing as the official GitHub Desktop, potentially introducing bugs or stability issues.
  • Limited documentation
    Being a smaller community project, the documentation for the additional features and differences from the official client may be less comprehensive or harder to find compared to the well-documented official GitHub Desktop.
  • Risk of project abandonment
    As a community-maintained fork, there is always a risk that the maintainer could lose interest or become unavailable, potentially leaving the project without updates or security patches.

Analysis of git-cola

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Git-Cola is generally considered a good tool, especially for those who are looking for a simple and effective graphical user interface for Git. It maintains the functionality and flexibility needed for effective version control while offering a more intuitive user experience.

Why this product is good

  • Git-Cola is a user-friendly graphical interface for Git that simplifies the process of version control. It offers a range of features like staging, committing, and reviewing changes, making it easier for users who prefer a visual interface over command-line operations. The software is lightweight, fast, and provides customizable keyboard shortcuts and a flexible workflow that can suit different users' needs.

Recommended for

    Git-Cola is recommended for developers who prefer using a GUI over command-line, beginners who are just starting with Git and would benefit from a more visual approach, and users who work on smaller projects where the simplicity and speed of Git-Cola can be fully utilized.

Analysis of GitHub Desktop Plus

Overall verdict

  • GitHub Desktop is a solid, free, and beginner-friendly Git client that simplifies version control with an intuitive graphical interface, making it a good choice for those who prefer visual workflows over command-line operations.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, backed by GitHub and Microsoft
  • Intuitive graphical interface that lowers the barrier to entry for Git beginners
  • Seamless integration with GitHub repositories and pull request workflows
  • Visual diff viewer makes reviewing changes easy
  • Cross-platform support for Windows and macOS
  • Simplifies common tasks like branching, committing, and merging

Recommended for

  • Beginners learning Git and version control
  • Developers who prefer a visual interface over the command line
  • Teams already using GitHub for collaboration
  • Open-source contributors managing pull requests
  • Users who want a lightweight, no-cost Git client

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to git-cola and GitHub Desktop Plus)
Git
92 92%
8% 8
Git Tools
87 87%
13% 13
Code Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100
Git Client
87 87%
13% 13

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare git-cola and GitHub Desktop Plus

git-cola Reviews

Best Git GUI Clients of 2022: All Platforms Included
Git Cola is a simple yet powerful Git client that was developed using Python, and itโ€™s free to use. The interface is made of multiple tools that you can hide and rearrange to your needs. The four panes of the interface allow you to view separate aspects of your project.
Boost Development Productivity With These 14 Git Clients for Windows and Mac
Git Cola is a Git desktop client primarily made for Linux distributions. It is an open-source tool and should already be present in your Linux workstation. Later on, as the popularity grew, the tool developers released compatible versions for Windows and macOS.
Source: geekflare.com
Best Git GUI Clients for Windows
Git Cola allows its users to carry out all the necessary routines. The tool compares commits, searches for data by message, author, filename, etc., and edits git indexes. It also ensures proper execution of all necessary Git-related commands in a visual mode. An interface with several panes allows you to view different project aspects and track activities.
Source: blog.devart.com

GitHub Desktop Plus Reviews

We have no reviews of GitHub Desktop Plus yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing git-cola and GitHub Desktop Plus, you can also consider the following products

GitKraken - The intuitive, fast, and beautiful cross-platform Git client.

GitHub Desktop - GitHub Desktop is a seamless way to contribute to projects on GitHub and GitHub Enterprise.

SmartGit - SmartGit is a front-end for the distributed version control system Git and runs on Windows, Mac OS...

SourceTree - Mac and Windows client for Mercurial and Git.

tig - TIG Software Updates & Expansions. Download the most up-to-date, innovative software solutions for your TIG welder instantly to a memory card for enhanced performance.

Fork - Fast and Friendly Git Client for Mac