Best Open-Source Version Control Tools in 2026

A curated list of the best, top, and most popular open-source version control tools available right now. Showing the top 17 of 17 version control tools in our directory, ranked by GitHub stars.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best open-source version control tool in 2026?

Gitea is the most popular by GitHub stars right now. Gitea is a painless self-hosted all-in-one software development service, offering Git hosting, code review, team collaboration, package registry, and CI/CD integration.

Are these version control tools free?

Yes. Every tool on this list is open source and free to use in your own projects. Many can be self-hosted.

How is this list ranked?

Tools are ranked by GitHub star count, a strong proxy for community adoption and active maintenance. Star counts are refreshed regularly.

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