Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GitHub VS BitKeeper

Compare GitHub VS BitKeeper and see what are their differences

GitHub logo GitHub

Originally founded as a project to simplify sharing code, GitHub has grown into an application used by over a million people to store over two million code repositories, making GitHub the largest code host in the world.

BitKeeper logo BitKeeper

BitKeeper is an open source distributed version control tool.
  • GitHub Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • BitKeeper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

GitHub

Website
github.com
$ Details
Release Date
2008 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Chris Wanstrath
Employees
500 - 999

BitKeeper

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

GitHub features and specs

  • collaboration
    GitHub provides a platform for multiple developers to work on the same project concurrently, facilitating collaboration through features like pull requests, code reviews, and issues tracking.
  • integration
    GitHub integrates seamlessly with various third-party tools and services, such as CI/CD pipelines, project management tools, and many development environments, enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency.
  • version_control
    Utilizes Git for version control, allowing users to track changes, revert to previous versions if necessary, and manage different branches of development, ensuring code stability and history tracking.
  • community
    With millions of developers and a vast repository of open-source projects, GitHub fosters a robust community where users can contribute to projects, seek help, share knowledge, and collaborate broadly.
  • availability
    GitHub is a cloud-based platform, which means that projects are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, providing flexibility and convenience to developers globally.
  • documentation
    GitHub allows for comprehensive project documentation through README files, wikis, and GitHub Pages, making it easier for users to understand project context and contribute effectively.

Possible disadvantages of GitHub

  • cost
    While GitHub offers free plans, more advanced features and private repositories come at a cost, which might be a barrier for some individuals or small teams.
  • steep_learning_curve
    For newcomers, especially those unfamiliar with Git, the learning curve can be quite steep, making it challenging to utilize all of GitHub's features effectively.
  • privacy_concerns
    Given its expansive, open nature, users must be cautious with sensitive or proprietary information. Even with private repositories, there is a latent concern over data privacy and security.
  • interface_complexity
    The user interface, while powerful, can be overwhelming and complex for beginners or those not deeply familiar with version control concepts.
  • performance_issues
    Occasionally, GitHub may experience downtime or performance issues, which can disrupt workflow and prevent access to repositories temporarily.
  • limited_storage
    GitHub imposes limitations on storage space and file size within repositories, which can be restrictive for projects requiring large datasets or binaries.

BitKeeper features and specs

  • Scalability
    BitKeeper is designed to handle large projects efficiently, making it suitable for projects with extensive codebases and many developers.
  • Distributed Version Control
    BitKeeper follows a distributed model, allowing developers to work independently and merge changes, which enhances collaboration and reduces bottlenecks.
  • Performance
    The system is optimized for speed, enabling fast operations even in large projects with extensive histories.
  • Data Integrity
    BitKeeper places a strong emphasis on data integrity, ensuring that repository data remains consistent and secure.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provides flexibility for diverse development environments.

Possible disadvantages of BitKeeper

  • Proprietary Nature
    While BitKeeper had opened up its code, its origin as a proprietary product led to trust issues and limited initial adoption in certain communities.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    Compared to other version control systems like Git, BitKeeper has a smaller community and fewer integrations, which may limit its adoption and available resources.
  • Learning Curve
    For developers accustomed to more common systems like Git or Mercurial, BitKeeper may present a steeper learning curve.
  • Limited Popularity
    BitKeeper is not as widely used as other version control systems, which means it might be harder to find support or talent experienced with the tool.
  • Marketing and Momentum
    Despite its features, BitKeeper does not have the same level of marketing presence or momentum as some of its competitors, like Git.

GitHub videos

How to do coding peer reviews with Github

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BitKeeper videos

No BitKeeper videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GitHub and BitKeeper)
Software Development
100 100%
0% 0
Code Collaboration
98 98%
2% 2
Git
96 96%
4% 4
Version Control
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using GitHub and BitKeeper. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

GitHub Reviews

  1. Reinhard
    · Boss at CLOUD Meister ·
    perfect 4 open Source

Best Forums for Developers to Join in 2025
GitHub Discussions is a communication forum for the community around an open source or internal project. Discussions enable fluid, open conversation in a public forum. Discussions are transparent and accessible, but they are not related to code.
Source: www.notchup.com
The Top 10 GitHub Alternatives
However, like any (human) product, the platform has its limits, downsides, and critics. GitHub has been barred by certain governments, and even if that isn’t exactly the company’s fault, the users are the ones limited from pushing their code. Another criticism concerns the price tag: some users have pointed out that GitHub’s pricing model is too inflexible. Moreover, some...
Top 10 Developer Communities You Should Explore
GitHub also has an extensive API that allows it to integrate workflows seamlessly. Continuous integration, code review tools, and project management features make GitHub an essential tool for any developer, and the community aspect adds a layer of connectivity that enriches the overall experience.
Source: www.qodo.ai
Top 7 GitHub Alternatives You Should Know (2024)
FAQs: Are there any cloud source repositories similar to GitHub?Is there a free alternative to GitHub?
Source: snappify.com
Best GitHub Alternatives for Developers in 2023
We may earn from vendors via affiliate links or sponsorships. This might affect product placement on our site, but not the content of our reviews. See our Terms of Use for details. Looking for an alternative to GitHub? Check out our in-depth list of the best GitHub competitors, covering their features, pricing, pros, cons, and more.

BitKeeper Reviews

We have no reviews of BitKeeper yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GitHub seems to be a lot more popular than BitKeeper. While we know about 2263 links to GitHub, we've tracked only 1 mention of BitKeeper. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

GitHub mentions (2263)

View more

BitKeeper mentions (1)

  • Ask HN: What VCS to use for binary files only?
    If you're feeling adventurous, [bitkeeper](https://bitkeeper.org) handles binaries well. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GitHub and BitKeeper, you can also consider the following products

GitLab - Create, review and deploy code together with GitLab open source git repo management software | GitLab

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

BitBucket - Bitbucket is a free code hosting site for Mercurial and Git. Manage your development with a hosted wiki, issue tracker and source code.

Git - Git is a free and open source version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. It is easy to learn and lightweight with lighting fast performance that outclasses competitors.

VS Code - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

Atlassian Bitbucket Server - Atlassian Bitbucket Server is a scalable collaborative Git solution.