Which Version Control System Should I Choose?
Last Updated : 26 May, 2025
While building a project, you need a system wherein you can track the modifications made. That's where Version Control System comes into the picture. It came into existence in 1972 at Bell Labs. The very first VCS made was SCCS (Source Code Control System) and was available only for UNIX.
When any project (software) gets completed, the very first thought which comes into the developer's mind is which Version Control System Should I Choose? This article is purely based on the same concept to help you with the top Version Control System that you should choose for your project.
What is Version Control?
The management of software code is totally handled by version control systems, also known as source control systems. Version Control Systems (VCS) is the way of tracking and managing changes to software code. It helps the software team to boost their development process by helping them to track and update the changes made in the code instantly. VCS also helps the DevOps team to deploy the project. It acts as a database to store the modifications made in the software code. There are benefits of using VCS. For example, if a developer made a mistake in any part of the code at any time then the team can restore the previous version and make changes accordingly. You don't need to worry about the mistake and the fear of ruining the entire project.
Types of Version Control Systems
Generally, VCS is categorized into two types - centralized and distributed. When choosing a VCS, there's always confusion about which one to choose, Centralized vs Distributed Version Control: Which One Should We Choose? will guide you to know the differences between the two. There are numerous VCSs available in the market, based on their features and popularity. While working on any project, developers prefer to choose the one which offers the best features. To help you with this kind of question Which Version Control Systems Should I Choose, keeping this in mind this guide has been prepared.
1. Git
Git has always been the first preference and is the most popular version control system among developers for years. That's the reason developers choose this blindfolded. Git is the open-source version control system that has the most reliable workflow and helps the software team to collaborate and manage the changes made in the code. If an error is made, you can also undo errors and go back to the previous versions. Since Git is free, many developers and engineers use the tool, and is a great fit for organizations.
Features:
- Cross-platform
- Amazing command line utility, known as git bash
- Compatible with HTTP, FTP, and SSH
- Free and has distributed repository model
2. Apache Supervision (SVN)
Apache Subversion is another open-source version control system that aims to be the best widely used VCS. It is a reliable option for valuable data. It is free in terms of licensing costs but charges a reasonable rate for inadequate features. It is a software versioning and revision control system that developers use to manage versions of files for websites.
Features:
- Security Management
- User Access Control
- Local Branching
- Client-Server model of the repository
The difference between the Concurrent Versions System (CVS) and Subversion (SVN) will help you in knowing the difference between the two and gives you an idea of choosing the best version control system.
3. CVS (Concurrent Version Systems)
Concurrent Version Systems is an open-source, fully-featured tool that allows a developer to manage files or repositories to switch between versions. Developers can also record the history of source files, it keeps track of all modifications made in the source code files. It allows developers to work on their own copy and later can be merged into a single file called master copy. It is the most reliable version control system.
Features:
- Allows retrieval of the stored version
- Can share control of different versions of files
- Does not allow commit errors to make
- Supports production of multiple versions of a file
4. Mercurial
Mercurial is a free, distributed version control system to manage and track changes made across projects by the software team. Popular organizations like Mozilla, World Web Consortium (W3), and Facebook use Mercurial as their version control system. The best part about this version control system is that it efficiently handles any size of the project and offers an easy and intuitive interface.
Features:
- Fast and powerful
- Easy for beginners as compared to Git
- Supports a multitude of workflows and easily enhances its functionality with extensions
- Supports Windows, Unix, macOS, and Linux.
5. AWS CodeCommit
AWS CodeCommit is a version control system hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store and manage files in the cloud. There's no need to worry about scaling its infrastructure, also storing anything from code to binaries is possible using AWS CodeCommit. It supports the standard functionality of Git to let it work seamlessly with existing Git-based tools.
Features:
- Secure
- High Availability
- Collaboration is easy
- Faster Development LifeCycle
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Conclusion
Choosing the right Version Control System (VCS) is crucial for managing your project efficiently. Whether you're working solo or with a team, a good VCS helps you track code changes, avoid mistakes, and collaborate better. Tools like Git, SVN, CVS, Mercurial, and AWS CodeCommit offer various features to suit different needs—from simple code backups to large-scale team collaboration. While Git remains the most popular choice due to its flexibility and widespread use, other systems like Mercurial or SVN can be better suited for specific workflows. Pick the one that best fits your project size, team structure, and workflow preferences.