GitHub Desktop vs PicGo
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A desktop app for using Git and GitHub through a visual interface instead of the command line.
Open source · MIT
Desktop app that uploads pasted or dropped images to image hosts and copies the link.
The short answer
Choose GitHub Desktop if you need…
- Developers who work with GitHub and prefer a visual interface for commits and branches
- Beginners learning Git concepts who want to see changes before committing
- Teams who want a shared, consistent way to handle common Git tasks on Windows or macOS
Choose PicGo if you need…
- Bloggers and note-takers who paste screenshots into Markdown editors
- Developers writing docs who need hosted image links
- People who already use GitHub, Imgur, Qiniu, Tencent COS or similar hosts
- Users who want to reuse the same image host setup across several editors
Side-by-side
| GitHub Desktop | PicGo | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 22k | 27.5k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Download the app | Download the app |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 7 days ago | 17 days ago |
What each one is
GitHub Desktop
GitHub Desktop is an open-source app built with Electron and TypeScript that lets you manage Git repositories and GitHub projects with buttons and screens instead of typed commands. It shows your changes, lets you commit them, and handles common syncing tasks. People use it to make Git workflows easier to follow, especially when they do not want to memorize command-line syntax.
PicGo
PicGo is a desktop app that uploads images to online image hosts such as GitHub, Imgur, S3-style storage and several China-based cloud services, then copies the resulting link to your clipboard. It is aimed at people who write in tools like Obsidian, Typora or VS Code and want to paste screenshots without manually uploading them first. The README also describes plugins and an HTTP API for extending it.
Best for
GitHub Desktop
- Developers who work with GitHub and prefer a visual interface for commits and branches
- Beginners learning Git concepts who want to see changes before committing
- Teams who want a shared, consistent way to handle common Git tasks on Windows or macOS
PicGo
- Bloggers and note-takers who paste screenshots into Markdown editors
- Developers writing docs who need hosted image links
- People who already use GitHub, Imgur, Qiniu, Tencent COS or similar hosts
- Users who want to reuse the same image host setup across several editors
Strengths
GitHub Desktop
- Open source under the MIT license, with a public issue tracker and contribution guide
- Official installers for macOS and Windows, plus a beta channel for early builds
- Documents its focus and intended audience in a separate project document
PicGo
- Automatically copies the link after each upload, which saves a manual step
- Supports many editors natively or through community plugins, according to the README
- Offers an HTTP API and a plugin system for custom hosts and features
Not ideal for
GitHub Desktop
- Linux users, because the README says Linux is not officially supported and only community forks offer Linux installers
- People who need advanced command-line Git operations, since the app focuses on common workflows
- Users who need a non-GitHub Git host as their main workflow, since the app is described as a GitHub app
PicGo
- People who need a hosting service of their own; PicGo only uploads to existing hosts, and the README says it no longer adds new third-party hosts by default
- Users who do not have an account with any supported image host, since uploads need one
- Anyone needing a web-only tool; the README points to installers for desktop platforms
Trade-offs
GitHub Desktop
- Officially supports only macOS and Windows; Linux relies on community forks
- Known issues are tracked publicly, and the README notes maintainers have limited time for individual support
- Built on Electron, so it is a large desktop application relative to a plain Git client
PicGo
- Depends on third-party image hosts, so you need an account and must trust that host's availability
- README notes downloads may be slow in mainland China, and some features rely on plugins that you install and maintain yourself
- README does not detail host-specific setup steps; you will need the docs for each service
Getting started
GitHub Desktop
Windows install via winget (community package)
c:\> winget install github-desktopmacOS install via Homebrew (community package)
$ brew install --cask githubPicGo
Install on Windows with Scoop
scoop bucket add extrasInstall on Windows with Scoop (package)
scoop install picgoFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between GitHub Desktop and PicGo?
GitHub Desktop: A desktop app for using Git and GitHub through a visual interface instead of the command line. PicGo: Desktop app that uploads pasted or dropped images to image hosts and copies the link. GitHub Desktop suits developers who work with github and prefer a visual interface for commits and branches, while PicGo suits bloggers and note-takers who paste screenshots into markdown editors.
Are GitHub Desktop and PicGo free?
GitHub Desktop: Free and open source. PicGo: Free and open source.
Is GitHub Desktop or PicGo more popular?
PicGo has more GitHub stars (27.5k) than GitHub Desktop (22k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to GitHub Desktop and PicGo?
Other options people compare them with include Gitea, Git History, ZY Player, Lepton, Gridea.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.