Delta vs Trunk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Delta and Trunk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Delta
Enhance your Git, diff, grep, and blame output with syntax highlighting and advanced features.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need version control features specifically
- • Syntax-highlights Git, diff, grep, and blame output.
- • Highly customizable with themes, layouts, and styling.
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Trunk is a developer productivity tool for code quality and CI
- • It provides linting, formatting, and merge queue automation
| At a Glance |  Delta |  Trunk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Version Control | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | —/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Delta | Trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Version ControlTerminal Tools | IDE & Code EditorsCode Review |
How Delta and Trunk Compare
Delta
Enhance your Git, diff, grep, and blame output with syntax highlighting and advanced features.
Free
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Delta is a version control tool. Trunk is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Delta is free. Trunk is freemium.
Go with: Delta
Want the highest-rated option?
Trunk scores 80/100. Delta is unrated.
Go with: Trunk
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trunk
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Delta is free. Trunk is freemium. Go with Delta if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Delta is a version control tool. Trunk is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Trunk
- Higher score: 80/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Delta
- Completely free
- Better fit for version control
The Bottom Line
Trunk (80/100) is our pick. That said, Delta is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delta or Trunk better?
Trunk scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Delta is free and Trunk is freemium.
What are Delta and Trunk used for?
Delta: Enhance your Git, diff, grep, and blame output with syntax highlighting and advanced features.. Trunk: Code quality and developer experience tools.
What does Delta cost vs Trunk?
Delta is completely free. Trunk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.