12 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 11.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest way to use it for work", then to the name.
Graphical Git clients that run on Windows, for one developer. Terminal-only tools, editor extensions, Git hosting services and discontinued clients are left out. A line that reads "on at least one plan" counts any plan for one person; trials, indefinite evaluations and student or non-profit programmes do not count as plans.
Git features 29 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Core Git features
Features the vendor's page or docs say are built into the app on at least one plan that allows private repositories. Interactive rebase means rewriting a series of commits (reorder, squash, edit or drop) in one operation. A visual merge conflict editor must open inside the app; handing the file to an external merge tool does not count. Each one earns 3 points.
15
Undo for Git actions
The vendor documents one built-in undo (or undo and redo) command that reverses at least two kinds of Git action, such as commit, merge, checkout, reset or branch deletion. A command that only undoes the last commit does not count.
6
Worktrees
The vendor documents built-in management of Git worktrees (several checked-out branches of one repository), usable on private repositories.
4
Git-flow built in
The vendor documents built-in support for the Git-flow branching model, such as buttons to start and finish feature branches.
4
Hosts and review 26 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Hosts with built-in sign-in
The vendor names the host as one you connect to with an account (sign-in, OAuth or an access token) to list or clone repositories or work with pull requests inside the app. Cloning from a plain URL, or only showing a host's icon, does not count. Each one earns 3 points.
12
Pull requests in the app
The vendor documents creating, viewing or reviewing pull requests or merge requests inside the app window for at least one host. A button that only opens the host's website does not count.
8
Signed commits
The vendor's docs or release notes document signing commits with GPG or SSH keys from the app.
6
Systems and upkeep 16 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Other systems
An official build for each system, listed on the vendor's download page. Each one earns 4 points.
8
Release in the last 12 months
The vendor's release page, changelog or repository shows a stable release (not beta, preview or nightly) dated within the last 12 months.
8
Licence 15 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Open source
The source code of the app is public under an open-source licence.
7
Free for commercial work on private repos
A plan or licence with no time limit lets a company or freelancer use the app at no cost on private repositories. Non-commercial-only, public-repo-only, trial and indefinite-evaluation licences do not count.
8
Price 14 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Cheapest way to use it for work
The cheapest plan for one person doing commercial work on private repositories, in US dollars a month, billed yearly at its regular price. A one-time licence price is divided by 36. A free product counts as $0. $0 earns 14 points, $3 or less 10, $6 or less 7, $10 or less 3.