Git ColaLinux
vs
GitWindows
Git Cola as a Linux alternative to Git
Updated
Our verdict
Git Cola is a solid graphical front‑end for Git that covers most day‑to‑day tasks a typical developer needs: cloning, pulling, pushing, branching, stashing, and reviewing history. It is a good replacement for users who prefer a visual workflow but still want full command‑line access for advanced operations. Advanced users who rely heavily on scripting or non‑GUI workflows may still prefer the native Git CLI, but for most desktop developers Git Cola provides an efficient, feature‑rich alternative.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 4.19.0 (July 12, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both provide access to all core Git commands via a user interface
- Both support branching, tagging, and stashing
- Both allow viewing commit history and diffs
- Both can be used to manage large repositories and submodules
- Both can export patches
What is different
- Git Cola is a GUI; Git is command‑line only
- Git Cola requires a graphical environment, Git works headless
- Git Cola does not expose every low‑level Git plumbing command by default
- Git Cola’s merge conflict editor is built‑in, while Git relies on external editors
- Git Cola’s configuration is GUI‑based, Git uses .gitconfig
Opening your Git files
Git Cola can open any local Git repository, including those with submodules. It can export patches in standard format and import them back. It does not directly edit raw Git objects; for that you still need the Git CLI.
Switching from Git to Git Cola, step by step
- 1. Install git-cola via your distro’s package manager or Flathub
Key features of Git Cola
- Visual commit graph and history browsing
- Integrated diff and merge tool
- Branch, tag, and stash management
- Support for custom Git commands
- Searchable file tree and change list
- Undo/redo for staging actions
- Configurable shortcuts and themes
- Export patches and apply them
How to install Git Cola on Linux
flatpak install flathub com.github.git_cola.git-colasudo apt install git-colasudo apt install git-colasudo dnf install git-colasudo zypper install git-colaFrequently asked questions
Can I use git-cola with an existing Git repository?
Yes, launch git-cola in the repository’s root directory or open the folder from the file manager. It will detect the .git folder and load the repo.
Does git-cola support submodules?
Yes, submodules are displayed in the file tree and can be updated, cloned, or committed from within the GUI.
How do I run custom Git commands from git-cola?
Use the "Custom Commands" dialog to define a command line that will be executed with the repository’s root as the working directory. The output appears in the console pane.
4 other alternatives to Git
GitKrakenGitKraken is a cross‑platform Git client with integrated issue tracking and code editing.FlatpakGitKraken vs Git
gitgGitg is a lightweight graphical interface for Git that visualizes commit history and manages repositories.Open sourceFreeFlatpakgitg vs Git
Sublime MergeSublime Merge is a proprietary Git client with a fast, keyboard‑centric UI.FlatpakSublime Merge vs Git