What is the difference between centralized and distributed version control?

A centralized version control system (CVCS) stores the project’s code in a central repository. Developers check in and check out code from this central server. In contrast, a distributed version control system (DVCS) allows each developer to maintain a local repository that contains the entire project history, enabling work even when offline. Examples of distributed version control tools include Git and Mercurial, which are widely used for managing software code.

How do version control systems benefit software development?

Version control systems offer significant benefits for software development. They allow teams to manage code changes, track the current and historical versions of code, and facilitate collaboration between multiple developers. The ability to roll back to previous versions of code helps prevent errors, while version management ensures that developers can work in parallel without overwriting each other’s work.

What is a distributed version control system?

A distributed version control system (DVCS) allows developers to work on their own local copies of the project, keeping a full history of changes. Once they’re ready, they can synchronize their changes with the central repository or central server. This approach gives developers the flexibility to work offline and manage code modifications more effectively. Git is the most popular distributed version control tool today.

What is Unity version control?

Unity version control is a tool designed specifically for developers working on Unity projects. It enables software teams to manage the source code and assets within their projects, ensuring that changes can be tracked and integrated smoothly. Unity version control helps streamline collaboration, making it easier to manage code changes and prevent versioning conflicts during the development of Unity-based applications.

What is a source code management system?

A source code management (SCM) system, also known as version control, is a software tool used by software developers to track and manage changes to the software code throughout the project’s lifecycle. These tools allow developers to revert to previous versions, manage different branches of code, and work collaboratively on the same project without overwriting each other’s changes.

How does a version control system enable team collaboration?

Version control systems enable software teams to collaborate more effectively by allowing multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously. They can manage code modifications, track changes, and merge different versions of the project. With centralized version control systems, developers rely on a central repository, while distributed version control systems allow developers to work offline and sync changes later.

Can version control tools help with code changes?

Absolutely. Version control tools are specifically designed to help developers manage code changes efficiently. They provide an organized system for tracking every modification made to the software code. This allows teams to roll back to previous versions if something goes wrong, merge code modifications from different developers, and ensure that the project remains stable.

What is a centralized version control system?

A centralized version control system (CVCS) involves a central repository where the software code is stored. Developers check out code, make modifications, and commit changes back to the central server. Popular examples include Apache Subversion and Team Foundation Server. This system ensures that there is always one official version of the code and makes it easier to track changes in one central location.

What is a distributed version control tool?

A distributed version control tool allows each developer to maintain a local repository that includes the entire project history. This makes it easier to work offline and track changes to software code without relying on a central server. Git is the most widely used distributed version control system, but other tools like Mercurial are also popular for managing project changes in a decentralized manner.

How does version control software help in the software development lifecycle?

Version control software plays an important role in the software development lifecycle by allowing developers to track and manage code changes throughout the project’s stages. It ensures that the project remains organized, provides an efficient way to handle code revisions, and integrates with other tools like continuous integration systems to automate testing and deployment.

What is revision control in version management?

Revision control is a form of version control that focuses on tracking and managing changes to a project’s code. By storing previous versions of the software code, developers can easily review past changes, identify errors, and roll back to stable versions if necessary. This is especially important in larger projects, where multiple developers are contributing to the same codebase.

How does version control help manage code in a team environment?

Version control tools allow software teams to work collaboratively on the same project without overwriting each other’s work. They help track and integrate code changes, manage different branches, and ensure that everyone is working with the latest version of the source code. By using version control systems, teams can more easily manage concurrent versions of the project, making collaboration more efficient.

Can version control software help manage concurrent versions of a project?

Yes, version control systems are designed to manage concurrent versions of a project. Developers can create branches to work on different features independently and later merge their changes. This is especially useful when multiple developers are working on the same project and ensure that the final version of the code is stable and bug-free.

How can I get started with version control?

To get started with version control, first, choose a version control system (such as Git or Subversion) and set up a central repository (for centralized systems) or a local repository (for distributed systems). Once set up, begin tracking code changes by committing changes and creating branches as needed. This will help you efficiently manage your project and integrate changes seamlessly with your team.

What is the difference between version control and software version control?

There’s no significant difference; software version control is simply another term used for version control in the context of managing software code. Both refer to the tools and systems used to track code changes, manage different versions, and ensure the stability of the project.

Data Data Quality Quality Assurance

Top 10+ Version Control Tools in August 2025

Cem Dilmegani

updated on Aug 4, 2025

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At AIMultiple, we use version control tools every day to manage the code for over 1,000 web pages across multiple projects. Based on our experience, we picked the top version control tools, including open-source and proprietary software.

Software Name	License Type	Focus
Git	Open-source	Distributed version control
Apache Subversion (SVN)	Open-source	Centralized version control
Mercurial (hg)	Open-source	Distributed version control
CVS	Open-source	Centralized version control
Bazaar (GNU Bazaar)	Open-source	Distributed version control
Perforce Helix Core	Proprietary	High-performance version control
IBM Rational ClearCase	Proprietary	Software configuration management
Azure DevOps	Proprietary	Integrated DevOps platform
Unity Version Control (Plastic SCM)	Proprietary	Game development version control
Meta’s Sapling SCM	Proprietary	Large-scale version control

Selection Criteria

The version control tools should be one of the following:

Open-source software
Proprietary software with 500+ Employees

Top version control tools analyzed

Git

Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system originally created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for Linux kernel development. It is now the de facto standard for source code management, known for its speed and efficiency in tracking changes in projects of all sizes. Every Git clone is a full repository with complete history, enabling offline work and decentralized workflows.

Key features:

Performance: Fast commit, branching, and merging.
Branching & Merging: Efficient local branches and easy merging.
Staging Area: Fine control over commit contents.
Security: SHA-1/SHA-256 integrity checks.
Flexibility: Supports both distributed and centralized workflows.
Ecosystem: Extensive tool and service integrations (e.g., GitHub).

Version control systems play a central role in maintaining code integrity, but they’re most effective when paired with tools that improve quality and automation. For instance, many teams integrate static code analysis tools into their workflows to catch issues like syntax errors, security flaws, or styling problems early in the development cycle.

Apache Subversion (SVN)

Apache Subversion (often called SVN) is an open-source centralized version control system first released in 2000. It keeps a single central repository on a server that stores the full history of files, while developers check out working copies on their local machines. Subversion became a leading SVN system in the 2000s and is still used in many projects today.

Key features:

Atomic Commits: Ensures consistent changes across multiple files.
Versioning: Tracks directories as well as files.
Branching & Tagging: Simple parallel development with copy-on-write.
Access Control: Granular repository permissions.
History: Comprehensive logging of commits and changes.

Mercurial

Mercurial is a free, open-source distributed revision control tool first released in 2005. It was designed for high performance and to be easy to use for developers. Mercurial uses a decentralized model: each developer has a full clone of the repository history and can commit locally, then share changes with others.

Key features:

Performance: Optimized for fast operations on large codebases.
Workflow: Fully decentralized with local repositories.
Branching & Merging: Advanced branching (named branches, bookmarks).
Simplicity: Easy-to-use commands for beginners.
Extensibility: Supports extensions for added functionality.

Perforce Helix Core

Perforce Helix Core (commonly called Perforce) is a commercial version control system known for handling very large projects with many files, including large binary assets. It is often used in enterprise software development and game development, where scalability and performance are key.

Key features:

Scalability: Handles millions of files efficiently.
Stream-Based Dev: Organizes code into streams for easier parallel development.
Access Control: Fine-grained, file-level permissions.
Binary Asset Support: Optimized for large binary files (e.g., 3D models).
CI/CD: Robust support for enterprise-level CI/CD pipelines.

IBM Rational ClearCase

IBM Rational ClearCase is an enterprise-grade SCM tool providing version control, extensive lifecycle management, and process enforcement capabilities. It is widely used in industries requiring stringent configuration management, such as aerospace and telecom.

Key features:

Branching & Versioning: Supports complex branching models.
Dynamic Views: Work directly from the central repository.
Scalability: Ideal for large teams and projects.
Compliance: Fine-grained permissions and audit logging.
ALM Integration: Works seamlessly with other IBM Rational tools.

Azure Devops

Azure DevOps provides a client-server model for enterprises that prefer centralized versioning with tight integration into Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Key features:

Centralized Repository: SQL-backed repository for full change tracking.
Permissions: Granular access controls down to the file level.
Integration: Links commits to Azure DevOps tasks and work items.
Shelving: Temporarily store work without committing.
Auditability: Maintains complete history for compliance.

Unity Version Control (Plastic SCM)

Plastic SCM, now branded as Unity Version Control, was designed for game development and large projects requiring strong branching and merging capabilities. It supports both distributed and centralized workflows.

Key features:

Visual Branch Explorer: Easy-to-understand graphical representation of branches.
Hybrid Workflow: Supports both distributed and centralized models.
Optimized for Binaries: Handles large binary assets efficiently.
Security: Role-based access control for fine-grained permissions.
Integration: Works with Unity, Unreal, and other IDEs.

Sapling (Meta’s Sapling SCM)

Sapling is an open-source version control tool developed by Meta, optimized for handling large-scale repositories with performance and usability improvements over Git.

Key features:

Scalability: Designed for large repositories and monorepos.
User-Friendly Workflows: Stacked commits and easy history views.
Git Compatibility: Can clone and push to Git repositories.
Partial Clones: Work on relevant sections of a repository.

AccuRev

AccuRev is a commercial SCM tool emphasizing stream-based development, where code flows logically between different workstreams to simplify merging.

Key features:

Stream-Based Architecture: Simplifies parallel development.
Private Workspaces: Checkpoint and manage changes privately.
Access Control: Fine-grained permissions for security.
ALM Integration: Seamless integration with issue trackers and build tools.

Bazaar (GNU Bazaar)

Bazaar was developed by Canonical as part of its Launchpad platform and was designed for ease of use with both distributed and centralized workflows.

Key features:

Flexible Workflow: Supports both centralized and decentralized models.
Ease of Use: Intuitive commands designed for developers.
Merge Capabilities: Efficient change tracking and conflict resolution.
Interoperability: Works with Git, SVN, and other version control systems.
Extensibility: Supports plugins for added features.

Other version control tools

Simul

Simul is a version control tool specifically designed for Microsoft Word documents. Unlike traditional version control systems that focus on source code, Simul provides document collaboration and version tracking for teams working with Word files. It is primarily used in legal, academic, and corporate environments where multiple users need to edit and review Word documents without the risk of losing changes.

Key features:

Automatic Versioning: Tracks every edit and maintains full version history.
Collaborative Editing: Multiple users can edit simultaneously with automatic merging.
Change Tracking: Highlights differences and edits between versions.
Cloud Storage Integration: Syncs with OneDrive, Google Drive, and more.
Audit Trail & History: Maintains a log for compliance and review.
Branching & Merging: Allows branching and merging document versions.

Flyway

Flyway is a version control tool specifically designed for database migrations. Unlike traditional source code version control systems, Flyway focuses on managing and automating schema changes across different database environments. It is widely used in DevOps and CI/CD workflows to ensure database consistency.

Key features:

Migration Support: Handles SQL-based and Java-based migrations.
Database Compatibility: Works with PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc.
CI/CD Integration: Integrates with Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps.
Undo & Baseline: Manage migrations with undo and baseline features.
Migration Strategies: Supports versioned, repeatable, and undo migrations.
Command-Line & API: Works both in CLI and within Java applications.

Flyway is not a direct competitor to traditional version control tools like Git or SVN but complements them by managing database schema evolution alongside source code changes.

Snowtrack

Snowtrack is a version control system designed specifically for creative assets, such as 3D models, images, and design files. Unlike traditional version control systems like Git, which are optimized for text-based files, Snowtrack provides an intuitive way to track changes in large binary files without requiring manual commit processes. It is particularly useful for designers, artists, and game developers who need to manage evolving creative work.

Key features:

Automatic Versioning: Tracks changes to large files without explicit commits.
Visual Diffing: Compare different versions of creative assets (3D models, images).
Optimized for Large Files: Efficient handling of large binary files.
Non-Destructive Workflow: Rollback history and branching without altering originals.
Local & Cloud Sync: Offline work with cloud sync for collaboration.
Integration with Design Tools: Works with 3D modeling and animation software.

Snowtrack is not a traditional software version control system but fills a crucial gap in managing creative files efficiently.

Kactus

Kactus is a version control system specifically designed for designers working with Sketch files. It brings Git-like version control to design workflows, enabling teams to collaborate on Sketch projects without losing track of changes. Unlike traditional version control systems that focus on text-based files, Kactus provides visual versioning and diffing for design files.

Key features:

Git-Powered Versioning: Uses Git to manage Sketch files.
Visual Diffing: Track design changes with visual comparisons.
Collaboration & Branching: Work on branches, merge changes, and revert versions.
Automated File Structuring: Converts Sketch files to Git-compatible formats.
Integration with Development: Bridges design and development workflows.
Cloud Sync & Collaboration: Centralized design repository for teams.

Kactus is particularly useful for design teams that want to adopt Git-like workflows without switching to a developer-focused tool. Since it integrates with Git, it allows better collaboration between designers and engineers.

Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a Git-based version control repository hosting service that is widely used by teams and enterprises for source code collaboration and DevOps workflows. Originally developed by Atlassian, Bitbucket provides both cloud-based and self-hosted (Bitbucket Data Center) solutions, making it a strong competitor to GitHub and GitLab. While it primarily supports Git, it previously also supported Mercurial before discontinuing it in 2020.

Key features:

Git Hosting: Private and public Git repositories with access controls.
Jira Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Jira for issue tracking.
CI/CD Support: Built-in Bitbucket Pipelines for continuous integration and delivery.
Pull Requests & Code Review: Collaborative development with comments and merge checks.
Security: Branch permissions, 2FA, and IP whitelisting for enhanced security.
Data Center: On-premises solution for enterprise-scale development.
Atlassian Product Integration: Works with Confluence, Bamboo, and Trello.

Bitbucket is not just a version control system but a repository management tool that enhances Git workflows with team collaboration, CI/CD, and security features. It is a great alternative to GitHub and GitLab, particularly for teams already using Jira and other Atlassian products.

What are version control tools?

Version control tools are software systems that help developers track and manage changes to code, documents, and other files over time. These tools allow multiple people to collaborate on a project by keeping a history of modifications, enabling users to revert to previous versions, and resolving conflicts when multiple contributors make changes simultaneously. Version control (also called source control or revision control) is essential for software development, as it ensures that work is not lost, changes are documented, and teams can coordinate effectively.

Version control is also tightly connected with testing practices. By linking repositories to test automation platforms, teams can ensure that code changes trigger tests automatically, supporting continuous integration and reliable deployments.

Why do you need version control tools?

Version control tools are essential for managing and organizing code, especially in collaborative software development. They help teams track changes, prevent conflicts, and maintain a complete history of a project’s evolution. Without version control, it would be difficult to coordinate multiple developers working on the same codebase, leading to potential overwrites, lost work, and confusion.

Some key reasons for using version control tools include:

Collaboration – Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously without interfering with each other’s code.
History Tracking – Every change is recorded, allowing developers to see what was modified, when, and by whom.
Rollback Capability – If a bug or issue arises, teams can revert to previous versions of the code.
Branching and Merging – Developers can experiment with new features in separate branches before merging them into the main codebase.
Backup and Recovery – Since changes are stored in a repository, there is a safety net in case of accidental deletions or system failures.

What are the main version control systems?

1. Git (Distributed)

Git is the most widely used version control system today, especially in open-source and software development projects. It’s a distributed system, meaning every contributor has their own local copy of the entire project history, making it easier to work offline and enabling fast, powerful branching and merging. Git is highly flexible, supports collaborative workflows, and integrates seamlessly with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for remote repositories.

2. Subversion (SVN) (Centralized)

Subversion is a centralized version control system, where the project’s history is stored in a central repository. Users check out a copy of the project, make changes, and then commit them back to the repository. SVN allows fine-grained control over file versions but requires constant access to the central server for most operations. While it has been somewhat overshadowed by Git, it’s still used in certain enterprise environments and legacy systems.

3. Mercurial (Distributed)

Mercurial is another distributed version control system, similar to Git, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It is lightweight, fast, and offers strong support for branching and merging. While Mercurial is not as popular as Git, it is used by some large-scale projects like Mozilla’s codebase.

4. CVS (Concurrent Versions System) (Centralized)

CVS is an older centralized version control system. While it was widely used in the past, it has largely been replaced by more modern systems like SVN and Git. CVS lacks some of the more advanced features that newer systems offer, such as better branching and merging capabilities.

5. Perforce (Helix Core) (Centralized and Distributed)

Perforce, or Helix Core, is a version control system that can operate in both centralized and distributed modes. It’s often used in environments with very large codebases, such as game development or large enterprise projects, due to its performance and scalability. It offers fine control over permissions and works well with large binary files.

Each system has its strengths, and the choice of VCS typically depends on the project’s size, the team’s workflow, and the need for scalability and speed. Git is the dominant choice for modern development, but systems like SVN and Perforce still hold relevance in specific industries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Version Control Tools

FAQ

Principal Analyst

Cem Dilmegani

Principal Analyst

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Cem has been the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per similarWeb) including 55% of Fortune 500 every month.

Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.

Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.

He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.

Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

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