GitHub Desktop and GitKraken are two of the most popular Git GUIs, and both run on Linux. They aim at different people: GitHub Desktop is a free, simple app for everyday GitHub work; GitKraken is a commercial, feature-rich Git client for many hosting services. Here is how they compare on Linux, so you can pick the best Git GUI for you.
Git GUI comparison table
| GitHub Desktop (this Linux build) | GitKraken Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free plan for local and public remote repositories; Pro or higher for private repositories |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Official Linux support | No: unofficial community build | Yes, from the vendor |
| Linux packages | .deb and AppImage (x86_64) | .deb, .rpm, .tar.gz and Snap (official); Flathub package is community-made |
| Account needed | Only for GitHub features | GitKraken account |
| Commit graph | No (linear history list) | Yes, visual branch graph |
| Merge conflicts | Opens your editor | Built-in merge tool |
| Interactive rebase | Squash, reorder and amend commits | Full interactive rebase UI |
| Hosting integrations | GitHub.com and GitHub Enterprise | GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps |
| Version | 3.6.10 | See gitkraken.com |
GitKraken's plans and features change; check gitkraken.com for current pricing before deciding.
Choose GitHub Desktop on Linux if…
- Your code is on GitHub and you want pull requests, forks and co-authors handled with little friction.
- You want a free, open-source tool with no account or subscription for private repositories.
- You prefer a simple interface: changes, commit, push, branch, done.
- You already use GitHub Desktop on Windows or macOS and want the same app on Linux.
Choose GitKraken on Linux if…
- You want a visual commit graph and a built-in merge conflict editor.
- You work across GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps, not just GitHub.
- You need vendor support and official
.rpmpackages, or you don't want an unofficial build. - You are fine with a proprietary app and a paid plan for private work.
Other Git GUIs for Linux
- gitg and Git Cola: free, lightweight and in most distribution repositories.
- SmartGit and Sublime Merge: commercial, cross-platform, with official Linux builds.
- Your editor: VS Code and JetBrains IDEs have capable built-in Git tools.
Try GitHub Desktop on Linux
Download GitHub Desktop 3.6.10 for Linux, or jump to the guide for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora or Arch Linux. Coming from another Linux build? See this build vs shiftkey/desktop.