Git and GitHub are not competitors, they are two different things that work together. Git is a version control tool that runs on your own computer and records every change you make to a project, so you can review history, undo mistakes, and work on features in isolation. GitHub is a website that stores Git repositories in the cloud and wraps them in collaboration features like pull requests, issues, and code review. In short: Git tracks your code, and GitHub is one popular place to host and share it.
How they actually differ
Git, created in 2005, is open-source software you install locally. It works fully offline, committing snapshots of your project, branching for new work, and merging changes back together. You could use Git for your entire career and never touch the internet.
GitHub, launched later, is a hosting service built on top of Git. It keeps a copy of your repository online so teams can collaborate, and it layers on tools Git itself does not have: a web interface, pull requests, issue tracking, permissions, and automation. GitHub is not the only such host, though. GitLab and Bitbucket offer similar services.
-- Git: commands you run locally
git init
git add .
git commit -m "First commit"
-- Pushing to GitHub (the hosting step)
git push origin main
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor |
Git |
GitHub |
| What it is |
Version control software |
Hosting and collaboration website |
| Runs where |
Your local machine |
The cloud (web service) |
| Needs internet |
No |
Yes |
| Made by |
Open-source community |
A company (Microsoft-owned) |
| Core job |
Track changes, branch, merge |
Store, share, review code |
| Alternatives |
Few real ones for this role |
GitLab, Bitbucket, others |
| Who owns it |
No one (open source) |
A single provider |
| Best for |
Tracking your own work |
Team collaboration and sharing |
The simplest way to remember it: Git is the engine, GitHub is one of several garages where you can park and share the car.
How to use them together
- Install Git on your computer and configure your name and email.
- Initialize a repository with
git init, then commit changes as you work.
- Create a repository on GitHub and connect it as a remote.
- Push your commits to GitHub so they live in the cloud and others can see them.
- Collaborate through pull requests and issues, then pull updates back down to your machine.
If you want the full workflow step by step, our guide to using Git and GitHub walks through it, and what is Git covers the tool in more depth.
Common misconceptions
- "Git and GitHub are the same." They are not. Git is the tool; GitHub is a service that hosts what the tool produces.
- "You need GitHub to use Git." You do not. Git works completely offline and without any account.
- "GitHub invented version control." Git did the version control; GitHub added hosting and collaboration on top.
- "Switching off GitHub means losing your history." Your Git history lives in your local repository and can move to any host.
What to skip
- Skip memorizing every Git command. Learn the handful you use daily and look up the rest as needed.
- Skip worrying about which host is best at first. GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket all work; pick one and focus on learning the Git fundamentals underneath.
FAQ
Is Git the same as GitHub?
No. Git is the version control software that tracks changes on your computer. GitHub is a website that hosts Git repositories and adds collaboration tools.
Do I need GitHub to use Git?
No. Git works entirely offline. GitHub is optional and used when you want to back up, share, or collaborate on a repository online.
Can I use Git with something other than GitHub?
Yes. GitLab, Bitbucket, and self-hosted servers all host Git repositories, and you can switch hosts without losing your project history.
Which should I learn first, Git or GitHub?
Learn Git first, since it is the underlying tool. GitHub becomes easy once you understand commits, branches, and merges.
Where to go next
What is Git in 2026, How to use Git and GitHub in 2026, and How to start coding in 2026.