What is Git?
Git is a distributed version-control system for recording project history and combining changes. It runs locally and can exchange commits with remote repositories; hosted services such as GitHub and Bitbucket are separate products.
Who is Git for?
Developers and other contributors managing versioned text, code and configuration with a repeatable review process.
Version control is the foundation, hosting is a separate choice
Git records a project’s history as commits and allows work to develop on branches. A repository on your computer can hold that history without an always-on connection to a hosting service. The Git introduction explains the working tree, staging area and repository as different stages in recording a change.
GitHub, GitLab and Bitbucket add hosted collaboration around repositories. Choose the local version-control workflow separately from the host’s review, permissions, build and storage requirements.
Git features
The core capabilities to consider for your workflow.
- Local commits and project history
- Branches and merging
- Remote repository collaboration
Git pricing
Free open-source version control
There is no core Git subscription to buy. Assess any repository host, build service, storage and support costs separately from the local version-control system.
Calculate the cost of your quote →Free access & evaluation
Git is free and open source under GNU GPL version 2. Hosted repository plans and other services are separate.
Before you choose Git
A local commit does not automatically publish changes to a remote repository.
Repository hosting, access controls and automated builds depend on separate services.
Teams still need an agreed branching, review and recovery workflow.
A commit and a push solve different problems
Suppose a contributor edits two files but wants only one change in the next review. Staging selects what goes into the commit; making the commit records that selected state locally. The commit documentation describes this boundary. Uploading work to a remote repository is a separate push operation.
For a team shortlist, compare how contributors inspect changes, review branches and recover from mistakes. A graphical client such as GitHub Desktop or Sourcetree changes the interface to repository work; it does not make the hosting plan part of Git itself.
Explore related software
Git FAQs
Is Git the same as GitHub?
No. Git is the version-control system. GitHub is a separate hosting and collaboration service that works with Git repositories.
Does Git require an internet connection for every operation?
No. Most Git operations use local files and resources. Exchanging changes with a remote repository requires access to that remote.
Does a Git commit automatically upload my changes?
No. A commit records a snapshot in the local repository. A push is a separate operation that updates a remote repository.
What is the Git staging area?
The staging area records the content selected for the next commit. It lets you choose which changes to record instead of automatically committing every edit.
Is Git free to use?
Yes. Git is free and open source under GNU GPL version 2. A repository hosting subscription or build-service charge belongs to a separate service.