Best Version Control Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Diversion is ranked #1 of 54 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Unity Version Control and Accessibility Test Framework for Android. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Unity Version Control. The lowest first paid tier on this page is GitButler at $5/mo.
Projects that change over time or involve multiple contributors need a way to manage file revisions. Compared on versioning model, nested repositories, sparse checkout, and file locking, these tools differ in how they organize and handle project files. Large-file handling may matter for some work, while desktop platforms and self-hosted deployment help clarify setup choices. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing as well. Diversion, Unity Version Control, and Apache Subversion are among the options to compare against your project’s needs and working environment.
54 version control software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
15 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DiversionWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $25/mo | 6.7 | |
| 2 | Unity Version ControlWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 3 | Accessibility Test Framework for AndroidWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | Apache SubversionWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 5 | FossilWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 6 | GitButlerWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.5 | |
| 7 | GitemberWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | GitnuroWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | MercurialWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 10 | Perforce P4 (Helix Core)Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $39/mo | 6.5 | |
| 11 | platypusgitWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 12 | VisualSVN ServerWeb · Windows · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 13 | GitMac | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 14 | GitUpMac | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 15 | Working CopyiPhone | One bar | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 16 | JujutsuWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 17 | OpenText Universal Discovery and CMDBWeb · Windows · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 18 | SourceGear VaultWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 19 | GitUIWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 20 | Surround SCMWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 21 | BitKeeperWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 22 | CVSNTWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 23 | DarcsWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 24 | lazygitWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 25 | MagitWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which version control software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Diversion is ranked #1 of 54 with a score of 6.7. Unity Version Control is second and Accessibility Test Framework for Android third.
How many of these have a free plan?
15 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, GitButler has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.