gh vs GitKraken: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between gh and GitKraken 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.
Bottom line: gh wins this matchup. Our overall Version Control pick is IntelliJ IDEA. Our free Version Control pick is Git Cola. Pick GitKraken if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
gh
Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (GitKraken requires payment)
- • You want gitHub from terminal
- • You want good for automation
GitKraken
Visual Git client with intuitive interface
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful visual Git interface
- • You want built-in merge conflict editor
| At a Glance | gh | GitKraken |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose gh or GitKraken?
Choose gh if
Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.
- You want a fully free tool (GitKraken requires payment)
- You want gitHub from terminal
- You want good for automation
Choose GitKraken if
Visual Git client with intuitive interface
- You want beautiful visual Git interface
- You want built-in merge conflict editor
| Feature | gh | GitKraken |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 212 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsVersion Control | Developer ToolsVersion Control |
In-Depth Analysis
gh
Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.
gh offers an exceptionally generous pricing model, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- +GitHub from terminal
- +Good for automation
- +PR management
- +Issue management
- +Free
Weaknesses
- -GitHub only
- -Learning curve
- -Commands to remember
- -Auth setup needed
- -GUI sometimes easier
Key features
GitKraken
Visual Git client with intuitive interface
GitKraken is the best visual Git client.
Strengths
- +Beautiful visual Git interface
- +Built-in merge conflict editor
- +Gist and repository management
- +Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Free version limited features
- -Paid plans have a cost
- -Can be resource-heavy
- -Some advanced Git features missing
- -Occasional sync issues
Key features
Pricing: gh vs GitKraken
| Plan | gh | GitKraken |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $4.95 month per user Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $8.95 month per user Teams |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $24 month per user On-Premise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on gh pricing and GitKraken pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
gh is free. GitKraken is freemium.
Go with: gh
Want the highest-rated option?
GitKraken is rated 4.7/5. gh has no ratings yet.
Go with: GitKraken
Value user reviews?
gh: no ratings yet. GitKraken: 212 reviews (4.7/5).
Go with: GitKraken
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
gh is free. GitKraken is freemium. Go with gh if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are developer tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
GitKraken is rated 4.7/5; gh has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
gh
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
GitKraken
- Choose if you want visual Git client with intuitive interface
The Bottom Line
gh wins this matchup. Our overall Version Control pick is IntelliJ IDEA. Our free Version Control pick is Git Cola.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gh or GitKraken better?
gh is rated in our evaluation. gh is free and GitKraken is freemium.
What are gh and GitKraken used for?
gh: Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.. GitKraken: Visual Git client with intuitive interface.
What does gh cost vs GitKraken?
gh is completely free. GitKraken is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.