In this article, we discuss the what is difference between git and GitHub.
What is Difference Between Git and Github?
1. Git and GitHub are completely differently
The main difference between Git and GitHub is functionality. Both offer source code control (SCM) and make it easier to merge and share code, but that’s where the similarities end. Think of Git as his one computer and Github as a network of interconnected computers. They all have the same end goal, but their roles in getting there are vastly different.
Git is basically a free, open-source software distributed version control system (DVCS) designed to manage the history of all your source code. It keeps a history of commits, lets you revert changes, and lets developers share code. Install Git on your local device to collaborate. It is commonly referred to as one of the best tools to understand and use in the developer space and is one of the most widely used tools today. Companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft use it.
GitHub is a web-based hosting service for Git repositories. It offers everything Git’s DVCS SCM does, with a few extra features. This includes collaboration features such as project management, support ticket management, and bug tracking. Developers can share their own repositories, access other developers’ repositories, and store remote copies of repositories that act as backups.
2. Git and GitHub work in different environments
Another difference between Git and GitHub is the environment in which they operate. Git is installed locally on your system, allowing developers to manage source code history using their local machine as a repository. This means that there is no central server required to use Git and no internet access is required. Additionally, there is no user management system available or a desktop GUI of its own.
GitHub, on the other hand, is in the cloud and requires internet access. It also has a built-in user management system and user-friendly GUI. On GitHub, in addition to the main website, there is a desktop version that you can install on your local computer and sync your code. Note that Git can be used without GitHub, but GitHub cannot be used without Git.
3. Git and GitHub commands are different
A Git developer himself runs command line tools that make code changes such as commits and merges within his Git tool locally on his device. GitHub, in contrast, provides a cloud-based graphical interface in which these tasks are performed. This interface also provides developer access control, collaboration features, and various task management tools.
As for commands, Git is dedicated to his SCM tasks such as push and pull, commit, reset, fetch and merge. GitHub, on the other hand, acts as a host for Git repository teams to store their code in a centralized location. Git is a tool used to manage multiple versions of source code edits transferred to files in Git repositories, while GitHub serves as a place to upload copies of Git repositories.
4. Git and GitHub are owned by different companies
Git has been an open-source tool since it was first released in 2005. It is maintained by the Linux Foundation as part of an open-source ecosystem of tools and technologies. GitHub, by contrast, started as a company in 2008 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2018.
5. Git and GitHub have different competitors
Git as a DVCS has some advantages, but some significant competition. This includes Mercurial, IBM, Subversion, and ClearCase. GitHub’s competition is very different due to its focus on Software as a Service (SaaS) and includes companies like GitLab and Bitbucket.
Difference Between Git and Github
| Sr No | Git | GitHub |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Git was first introduced in April 2005. | GitHub was first introduced in October 2007. The site was later developed in April 2008. |
| 2 | Git is maintained by Linux | GitHub is maintained by Microsoft. |
| 3 | Git is a Command-Line tool. | GitHub is a Graphical User Interface. |
| 4 | Git is installed locally in the system for use and does not require the internet. | Can be accessed on the web. It needs an internet connection. |
| 5 | Majorly focused on version control and code conserving. | Is majorly focused on web hosting and code sharing. |
| 6 | Lacks user management features | GitHub has built-in user management features. It also provides Organisational and Enterprise level accounts with unlimited public repositories and collaborators. |
| 7 | Provides no external tool configuration. | GitHub provides multiple external tools including third-party tools. |
| 8 | Git is an open-source that allows users to modify and share software. | GitHub is inclusive of free-tier and paid-tier versions. However, it is not open source. |
| 9 | The privacy in Git is too strong | Privacy depends on the settings of the repositories. |
| 10 | It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Solarix, AIX | It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and all other web browsers. |
| 11 | Although GIT is one of the best version controllers, it fights with Mercurial, IBM, etc. | Major competitors include GITLAB, BITBUCKET, etc. |
| 12 | There’s no dedicated system to communicate with collaborators. | GitHub provides a specific tab to communicate and resolve issues with collaborators. |