List of version-control software

This is a list of notable version control software systems.

Common attributes

Openness, whether the software is open source or proprietary
Repository model, how working and shared source code is handled
- Shared, all developers use the same file system
- Client–server, users access a master repository server via a client; typically, a client machine holds only a working copy of a project tree; changes in one working copy are committed to the master repository before becoming available to other users
- Distributed, repositories act as peers; typically each user has a local repository clone with complete version history in addition to their working files

Active

AccuRev [proprietary, client-server] – source configuration management tool with integrated issue tracking based on "Streams" that manages parallel and global development; replication server is also available; now owned by Micro Focus
Autodesk Vault [proprietary, client-server] – Version control tool specifically designed for Autodesk applications managing the complex relationships between design files such as AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor
CADES [proprietary, client-server] – Designer productivity and version control system by International Computers Limited
ClearCase [proprietary, client-server] – MSSCCI compliant (Source Control Plug-in API) configuration management system by IBM Rational Software
Darcs [open, distributed] – originally developed by David Roundy; track inter-patch dependencies and automatically rearranges and cherry-pick them using a theory of patches
Dimensions CM [proprietary, client-server] – software change and configuration management system developed by Micro Focus, formerly Serena Software, that includes revision control
Diversion [proprietary, client-server] – A cloud-based version control system for game development and projects with large 3D assets
Fossil [open, distributed] – written by D. Richard Hipp for SQLite; distributed revision control, wiki, bug-tracking, and forum (all-in-one solution) with console and web interfaces; single portable executable and single repository file
Git [open, distributed] – designed by Linus Torvalds for Linux kernel development; decentralized; goals: fast, flexible, and robust
Global Design Platform (GDP) [proprietary, client-server] – design data management for IC design and Perforce infrastructure support
Integrity [proprietary, client-server]
Perforce P4 (formerly known by Perforce Helix and Perforce Helix Core) [proprietary, client-server] – for large scale development environments
Mercurial [open, distributed] – written in Python as an open source replacement to BitKeeper; decentralized and aims to be fast, lightweight, portable, and easy to use
OpenCVS – unreleased CVS clone under a BSD license, emphasizing security and source code correctness
Panvalet [proprietary, shared] – Around since the 1970s, source and object control for IBM mainframe computers
PVCS [proprietary, client-server] – developed by Don Kinzer at Polytron, first released in 1985; now owned by Micro Focus
Razor [proprietary, ?] – integrated suite from Visible Systems
Revision Control System (RCS) [open, shared] – stores the latest version and backward deltas for the fastest access to the trunk tip compared to SCCS and an improved user interface, at the cost of slow branch tip access and missing support for included/excluded deltas
Source Code Control System (SCCS) [open, shared] – part of UNIX; based on interleaved deltas, can construct versions as arbitrary sets of revisions; extracting an arbitrary version takes essentially the same time and is thus more useful in environments that rely heavily on branching and merging with multiple "current" and identical versions
StarTeam [proprietary, client-server] – coordinates and manages software delivery process by Micro Focus, formerly Borland; centralized control of digital assets and activities
Subversion (SVN) [open, client-server] – versioning control system inspired by CVS
Surround SCM [proprietary, client-server] – version control tool by Seapine Software
Synergy [proprietary, client-server] – MSSCCI compliant (Source Control Plug-in API) integrated change management and task-based configuration management system, proprietary of IBM
Team Concert [proprietary, client-server] – Collaboration and application lifecycle management platform by IBM Rational Software
Team Foundation Version Control [proprietary, client-server] – version control system developed by Microsoft for Team Foundation Server, now Azure DevOps Server
The Librarian [proprietary, shared] – Around since 1969, source control for IBM mainframe computers; from Applied Data Research, later acquired by Computer Associates
Unity Version Control (previously known as Plastic SCM) [proprietary, client-server] – by Codice Software, Inc and Unity Technologies
Vault [proprietary, client-server] – version control tool by SourceGear; first installation can be used for free

Obsolete

The following have been discontinued or not released in more than a decade.

Bazaar [open, distributed] – written in Python, originally by Martin Pool and sponsored by Canonical; decentralised: goals: fast and easy to use; can losslessly import Arch archives; replaced by friendly fork named Breezy
BitKeeper [open, distributed] – (discontinued) was used in Linux kernel development (2002 – April 2005) until its license was revoked for breach of contract; open-sourced in 2016
Code Co-op [open, proprietary] – (discontinued) peer-to-peer version control system (can use e-mail for synchronization)
Concurrent Versions System (CVS) [open, client-server] – originally built on RCS, licensed under the GPL
- CVSNT – cross-platform port of CVS that allows case insensitive file names among other changes
- OpenCVS – unreleased CVS clone under a BSD license, emphasizing security and source code correctness
Configuration Management Version Control (CMVC) [proprietary, client-server] – version control system, no longer available
GNU arch [open, distributed] – A very early system; deprecated since 2009 in favor of Bazaar
DCVS [open, distributed] – A decentralized spin on CVS, last released 2006 and since discontinued
Microsoft Delta [proprietary, client-server] – (discontinued) commercial version control system released by Microsoft in 1993 for MS-DOS and Windows; discontinued in 1994 following Microsoft's acquisition of SourceSafe from One Tree Software
Monotone [open, distributed] – not updated since 2011
Quma Version Control System – [open] VCS, final release 2010, abandoned 2013
Sun WorkShop TeamWare – Designed^{[citation needed]} by Larry McVoy, creator of BitKeeper
Vesta [open, client-server] – (discontinued) build system with a versioning file system and support for distributed repositories
Visual SourceSafe (VSS) [proprietary, client-server] – version control tool by Microsoft; oriented toward small teams. Final release in 2005.

References

↑ Kaser, Rachel (2025-05-28). "Diversion raises $12M in funding for its version control platform for creatives". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
↑ "Diversion: Best Version Control for UE | Perforce Alternative". Diversion. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
↑ "Git - A Short History of Git". git-scm.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
↑ Bill Wohler (10 Oct 1992). "Unix – Frequently Asked Questions (7/7)". RCS vs SCCS: How do they compare for performance?. [RCS ...] is much faster in retrieving the latest version
↑ Larry McVoy (11 Dec 2003). "BitKeeper: Why SCCS, rather than RCS?". Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. RCS is optimized for getting the most recent version on the trunk
↑ Bill Wohler (10 Oct 1992). "Unix – Frequently Asked Questions (7/7)". RCS vs SCCS: How do the interfaces compare?. [RCS ...] is more intuitive and consistent
↑ "Changes", SVN, Collab Net, archived from the original on October 25, 2008
↑ "Plastic SCM - The Distributed Version Control for Big Projects". www.plasticscm.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
↑ Technologies, Unity. "Scalable DevOps Services & Solutions | Unity". unity.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.

External links

[1] Kaser, Rachel (2025-05-28). "Diversion raises $12M in funding for its version control platform for creatives". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2025-11-03.

[2] "Diversion: Best Version Control for UE | Perforce Alternative". Diversion. Retrieved 2025-11-03.

[3] "Git - A Short History of Git". git-scm.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.

[wohler1-4] Bill Wohler (10 Oct 1992). "Unix – Frequently Asked Questions (7/7)". RCS vs SCCS: How do they compare for performance?. [RCS ...] is much faster in retrieving the latest version

[mcvoy-5] Larry McVoy (11 Dec 2003). "BitKeeper: Why SCCS, rather than RCS?". Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. RCS is optimized for getting the most recent version on the trunk

[6] Bill Wohler (10 Oct 1992). "Unix – Frequently Asked Questions (7/7)". RCS vs SCCS: How do the interfaces compare?. [RCS ...] is more intuitive and consistent

[7] "Changes", SVN, Collab Net, archived from the original on October 25, 2008

[8] "Plastic SCM - The Distributed Version Control for Big Projects". www.plasticscm.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.

[9] Technologies, Unity. "Scalable DevOps Services & Solutions | Unity". unity.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.

List of version-control software

Common attributes

Active

Obsolete

See also

References

External links