GitHub Desktop is free and open source under the MIT licence. That cost fits its feature set: it covers common repository tasks such as committing, branching, syncing changes and handling pull requests, while leaving some advanced Git work to the command line or a fuller client.
Everyday repository work
The interface presents changed files and line-by-line diffs so you can review what has changed before creating a commit. Image diffs are supported as well. For more control over the contents of a commit, you can select particular files or individual lines rather than include every change in the working tree.
Branch operations are available through menus, including creating, switching, merging and rebasing branches. The app also handles pushing and pulling, making it possible to move changes between your local repository and a remote without entering Git commands for routine work. One-click co-author support lets you add contributors to a commit.
Working with GitHub and other remotes
GitHub Desktop is built around GitHub and GitHub Enterprise. After signing in, you can clone repositories and open pull requests from the application, as well as check out other people’s pull requests. An account is not required for general Git use: local repositories and repositories on other Git hosts can also be used, although GitHub-specific features such as pull requests require an account.
Because the application uses standard Git underneath, repositories hosted elsewhere can still be opened and managed. Those hosts receive fewer integrations than GitHub, so the experience is less closely connected to their hosting services. When selecting a tool for a repository on another host, the core Git operations remain available, but the built-in GitHub workflow is not a general-purpose integration for every provider.
Windows setup and requirements
On Windows, GitHub Desktop supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit); it is also available for macOS. The installer sets it up for the current Windows user without asking questions and starts the application after installation. GitHub Desktop includes its own Git, so a separate Git installation is not necessary for using the app. If you also work in a terminal, installing Git for Windows can be useful.
For Windows users who want a visual way to review changes, the GitHub Desktop requirement is a supported 64-bit version of Windows rather than a separate Git installation. Once it opens, sign in with a GitHub account or skip sign-in when working with local repositories or another Git remote.
Configuration and practical fit
Options let you choose a preferred editor and shell, which can then be used to open repositories directly from the application. This makes the graphical client workable alongside existing editing or terminal habits: review and stage changes in the app, then open the repository in the configured tools when needed.
The main limitation is the scope of its Git controls. Interactive rebase and other advanced operations are not fully covered by the simple interface, so users who rely on those workflows will need the command line or a fuller client. GitHub Desktop also has no Linux version. Its strongest fit is for beginners learning Git and for designers, writers and developers who value visual diffs and straightforward commits over access to every advanced Git operation.