Best Version Control Software in 2026
A version control tool’s model and project features can shape how you organize changes. Compare versioning models, nested repositories, sparse checkout, and file locking, alongside large-file handling. Desktop platforms and self-hosted deployment describe additional setup considerations; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help with cost comparisons. The 46 ranked entries begin with Diversion, Fossil, and Apache Subversion, with Mercurial and Git also among the early options. Weigh these capabilities against your project’s needs and the environment where you plan to work.
46 version control software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
46ranked
24free plans on this page
$5/molowest paid tier
2 Oct 2026last checked
#1 Diversion Top pick · 9.4 Free plan · $25/mo
#2 Fossil Runner-up · 8.7 Free plan · Free
#3 Apache Subversion Also great · 8.6 Free plan · Free
- Free planFree trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 25 /user/mo
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- native
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$25/mofirst paid tier About DiversionVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Large-file handling
- none
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- centralized
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- native
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- extension
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- extension
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trialFree About GitVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Desktop platforms
- macos, windows, linux
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$5/mofirst paid tier About GitButlerVisit site - Free planFree trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- hybrid
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- native
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$38/mofirst paid tier About Unity Version ControlVisit site - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- native
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free planFree trial AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- hybrid
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- native
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$210/mofirst paid tier About UnityVisit site - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Large-file handling
- none
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- No
- Desktop platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Large-file handling
- extension
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- No
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Desktop platforms
- macOS, Windows, Linux
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Desktop platforms
- macOS, Linux, Windows
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- No
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Large-file handling
- none
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan extensionLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$30/mofirst paid tier About GitHub CodeQLVisit site - Free plan macOSWindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan iOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Desktop platforms
- macOS
- Large-file handling
- extension
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- distributed
- Self-hosted deployment
- No
- Desktop platforms
- macOS
- Large-file handling
- extension
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Versioning model
- centralized
- Self-hosted deployment
- Yes
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
Is your tool 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 Specifiction?
Diversion is ranked #1 of 46 with a score of 9.4. Fossil is second and Apache Subversion third.
How many of these have a free plan?
24 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 on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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