What both do
| Feature | Mergepond | GitKraken Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Commit graph | YesDraws only the rows on screen; filter by message, author, path and dateDocs | YesCommit Graphhelp.gitkraken.com |
| Interactive rebase | YesDrag to reorder; pick, reword, squash, fixup, drop or edit each commitDocs | YesStarted by dragging a branch; list with pick, reword, squash, drophelp.gitkraken.com |
| Merge conflict tool | YesKeep ours, theirs or both for each conflict, then continueDocs | YesBuilt-in merge tool; output editor needs a paid licencehelp.gitkraken.com |
| Line and hunk staging | PartialWhole files and single hunks; not single linesDocs | YesLine and hunk staginghelp.gitkraken.com |
| Blame | YesBlame and file history in one sheetDocs | |
| Stashes | YesStash, apply, pop and drop, with undo for drop and popDocs | YesIncludes stashing single fileshelp.gitkraken.com |
| Git LFS | PartialShows whether a repo uses LFS and pulls LFS filesDocs | |
| Submodules | PartialLists submodules and their state, and updates themDocs | |
| Worktrees | YesFrom a branch or pull request, with setup steps; safe cleanupDocs | YesCreate, open, lock and removehelp.gitkraken.com |
| Per-project Git identities | YesOne per workspace, with a warning before a commit as the wrong oneDocs | YesApp-wide profiles, each with its own identity and accounts; switched manually, not per repo; multiple profiles need a paid planhelp.gitkraken.com |
| Coding-agent worktree board | YesPro. Worktrees by state: working, ready for review, merged or goneDocs | YesAgents view: one card per worktree session with live status; Claude Code, Codex, Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenCodehelp.gitkraken.com |
| Coding-agent plugin (MCP and CLI) | YesFree. pond: an MCP server and CLI, with a Claude Code plugin; agents create and mark worktreesDocs | Partialgk mcp server from the GitKraken CLI and GitLens, not GitKraken Desktop; CLI in public previewhelp.gitkraken.com |
| Command palette | Yes⌘K for every command; ⌘P to switch reposDocs | YesCommand Palette (Cmd/Ctrl-P)help.gitkraken.com |
| Pull requests | PartialChecks a pull request out into its own worktree by numberDocs | YesGitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps; richest view and check-out on GitHubhelp.gitkraken.com |
What only Mergepond does
| Feature | Mergepond | GitKraken Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Repos on another machine over SSH | YesPro. Repos on Linux or macOS hosts you reach over SSHDocs | UnknownNot found on GitKraken Desktop’s own site or docs. |
What only GitKraken Desktop does
- Runs on Windows and Linux as well as macOS. gitkraken.com
- Free tier for local and public repositories. gitkraken.com
- Launchpad gathers issues and pull requests from connected services in one list. gitkraken.com
Where GitKraken Desktop goes further
- Line and hunk staging. GitKraken Desktop: Line and hunk staging. help.gitkraken.comMergepond: Whole files and single hunks; not single lines.
- Git LFS. GitKraken Desktop: Yes. help.gitkraken.comMergepond: Shows whether a repo uses LFS and pulls LFS files.
- Submodules. GitKraken Desktop: Yes. help.gitkraken.comMergepond: Lists submodules and their state, and updates them.
- Pull requests. GitKraken Desktop: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps; richest view and check-out on GitHub. help.gitkraken.comMergepond: Checks a pull request out into its own worktree by number.
Price, licence and platforms
| Item | Mergepond | GitKraken Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for repos on your MacPro is US$49.99 once: repos over SSH, unlimited workspaces and the worktree board, updates for life and new features released in your first year.Pricing | Free Community tier (local and public repos only); per seat, billed annually: Pro US$120/yr, Advanced US$168/yr, Business US$216/yr, Enterprise on quote; 14-day trialgitkraken.com |
| Licence | Proprietary.Docs | Proprietarygitkraken.com |
| Platforms | macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel.Mac only for now. Windows and Linux are coming soon. | macOS, Windows, Linuxgitkraken.com |
Switching from GitKraken Desktop
There is nothing to import. Mergepond opens the same repository folders GitKraken does, and your branches, stashes and remotes live in the repository. Mergepond needs no account to use.