TOP 12 version management tools to track your changes

In any business, it is important to archive the various changes made to a file so that you can view them at any time.

But how do you keep track of the changes you’ve made?

Developers use versioning software to do this. These tools are essential for keeping track of all the changes that have been made to a file.

Are you confused by all the solutions on offer? Wondering which is better, a decentralised version or a centralised version?

Find out in this article what a version management tool really is, and what the best solutions on the market are.

What is versioning?

Versioning tools, a valuable archive for developers

Before getting to the heart of the matter and revealing the different versioning solutions, let’s find out what this type of software is used for.

Version management software, sometimes called VCS for Version Control System, is a tool that records, tracks and manages several versions of a file or source code. It serves as a history of the changes made, the date and time they were saved, and enables an earlier version to be recovered in the event of an error or problem with a current version.

Version management tools have 2 main objectives:

• to keep track of updates and modifications to versions of an application or software,
• to optimise collaborative working by managing several versions of the source code.

👉 F or your information: versioning tools are sometimes called SCM (Source Control Management) and are actually source code management systems. This refers to software used to manage the different versions of source files.

Centralised vs. decentralised version management

Centralised repository

Here, the system is hosted locally and provides a single directory for all users. This system prevents several users from modifying a file at the same time. The first user to open the file is the only one who can make changes.

This type of centralised management offers advantages in terms of reliability, but also disadvantages because of the impossibility of exchanges between repositories and between local copies.

Decentralised repository

In the case of a decentralised (or distributed) system, and unlike centralised management, developers have their own repositories and their own local copy. Here, each developer can work at their own pace on their local repository.

There are many advantages to this management system:

• you can work offline,
• greater security thanks to the existence of several repositories,
• communication between repositories and the ability to clone them and then read and write from one repository to another.

🔎 Zoom on the list of the 12 best version management software (non-exhaustive).

Comparative table of the 12 best version management software packages

List of the 12 best version management software

Ansible Documentation

Ansible Documentation is the official resource centre for everything to do with automation with Ansible. It follows a semantic versioning system (X.Y.Z), making it easy to find your way between core, community and enterprise versions.

Are you developing a role, a module or a collection? Each version is documented independently, with its own specific features, dependencies and examples. Handy for avoiding compatibility errors or production surprises. And because a good dev is also a good reader (sometimes), the doc also offers a clear history of changes, contribution guides and best practices.

Highlights:

• clear navigation between core and community versions
• numerous resources for contributors,
• documentation updated with each release,
• structured semantic versioning.

Flexible, precise, and above all versioned from head to toe 📚.

Apache subversion

Play video — Setting Up Apache Subversion on Windows

Created in 2000, Subversion is a centralised version management system (SVN). The tool allows you to work on a specific part of a project and limits access to the entire source code. It is therefore popular with developers working on projects requiring greater confidentiality.

Key features :

• supports empty directories
• easy to learn and use,
• space-saving binary differential storage,
• ability to add comments on each new version.

AWS CodeCommit

AWS CodeCommit is a Git version management service managed entirely by AWS. It hosts private, secure repositories in the cloud. CodeCommit offers the classic Git functions: commits, branches, merges and pull requests. Perfect for collaboration without infrastructure worries. Files are encrypted in transit and at rest. Access is controlled via IAM, according to your own security policies. No servers to maintain, automatic redundancy, high availability: the service grows with your needs.

Key features:

• private, secure and scalable Git service ;
• automatic encryption and IAM control
• seamless integration with AWS CI/CD tools;
• maintenance-free, scalable and always available.

BeBackup

BeBackup is Cloud backup software designed for IT service providers and corporate IT departments. BeBackup believes in offering a secure service while giving you the freedom to choose where you want to host your backups. Would you prefer to host your data on your own servers? Data centre hosting? The choice is yours!

Key features :

• unlimited, configurable versioning
• flexible solution,
• hosting costs among the lowest on the market,
• local copy and fast restore of backups.

GitLab

GitLab is a decentralised version control tool . With GitLab, developers can simultaneously edit the source code, make changes and have an overview of all the changes made.

Key features :

• free hosting on a private server,
• free continuous integration,
• interface adaptable to your screen size,
• integrated development environment.

Github

GitHub is the best-known decentralised version control system on the market. The tool acquired by Microsoft in 2018 is particularly popular with developers working on open source software.

Strengths:

• huge user base,
• personal dashboard for tracking issues and pull requests,
• creation of several independent “local branches”,
• collaboration features (assigning tasks, authorisations, roles, etc.).

Google Cloud Source Repositories

Google Cloud Source Repositories is a Git version management solution fully integrated into the Google Cloud ecosystem. It enables you to host private source code with a high level of security and performance. This service gives you access to your Git repositories from Cloud Console, with direct integration with Cloud Build, Stackdriver and IAM. Every commit, every branch, every merge is tracked. And you can even connect your GitHub or Bitbucket repositories to monitor everything from one place.

Highlights:

• Secure Git hosting in Google Cloud,
• native integration with GCP services,
• advanced source code search,
• multi-depository support and connection to GitHub.

A tool designed for teams who are already part of the Google galaxy, or who are ready to join it 🚀.

Microsoft Azure Backup

Microsoft Azure Backup is a version control system from Microsoft. Previously known as Team Foundation Server (TFS), it offers a set of development tools hosted on site.

Key features :

• enables continuous integration,
• free version for individuals and small teams,
• easy administration and possible integration with other Microsoft products,
• can be used as a backend for several IDEs.

Octopus Deploy

Octopus Deploy orchestrates your deployments, versioning and environments without lifting a finger. This automation service combines Git and configuration as code to store each pipeline in a single repository. You choose the branch, you trigger the release, Octopus rolls out the red carpet to Kubernetes or your server. Immutable snapshots, high availability and readable logs always put the right version in the right place. All without sloppy scripting or cold sweat, I promise.

Highlights:

• integrated configuration as code ;
• fine-tuned management of branches and environments
• deployments to the cloud, containers or on-premises;
• immutable snapshots and high availability.

Plutora

Plutora is a software release management platform designed for DevOps and IT teams. It centralises deployments, workflows, environments and releases in a clear dashboard. You can track every version, every dependency and every bug in real time. Plutora connects your tools (Jira, Git, Jenkins, etc.) to create complete traceability of the software lifecycle. A real control tower to avoid crashes in production.

Key features:

• global view of releases and environments ;
• integration with key DevOps tools
• real-time tracking of deliveries;
• automated workflows and validations.

Spinnaker

Spinnaker is an open source continuous deployment tool designed by Netflix. It manages your pipelines, your artefacts and your application versions like a boss. You define your stages, your environments and your conditions. It delivers, monitors and, if anything goes wrong, can even cancel the deployment automatically. Multi-cloud, multi-repository, Spinnaker ensures clean, traceable versioning, from build to production. Even large projects can benefit.

Key features:

• advanced orchestration of deployment pipelines ;
• support for multi-cloud environments
• automated deployment, including rollback
• fine-grained management of artefacts and versions.

SpiraTest

Play video — SpiraTest by Inflectra: Test Management With Quality, Agility & Speed

SpiraTest is a tool for managing tests, requirements and bug tracking, and also offers version management functionality. The solution gives you total traceability throughout your test cycle.

Key features :

• unlimited number of tests, requirements, tasks and users ;
• full traceability;
• available hosted or on site, and on all devices via your browser;
• over 45 integrations (Jira, Microsoft Azure DevOps, etc.).

How to choose your versioning tool

Summary table of the 12 versioning software packages

Criteria to consider when choosing a tool

Choosing a versioning tool isn’t just about ticking boxes. Above all, it’s about making sure it fits your project, your team and your technical constraints.

Start by assessing the type of repository you need. Centralised or decentralised? The former is simpler to manage, the latter offers more freedom, especially in teleworking or open source.

Also look at integration with your existing tools: IDE, cloud platform, CI/CD solution, ticket management… The less friction, the better you sleep at night.

Security is non-negotiable:

• encryption
• access control
• traceability of commits…

…everything has to be ironclad. Especially if you work in a regulated company or with sensitive data.

Don’t forget scalability. Your project may be small today, but it can grow quickly. Choose a tool that can keep pace without exploding in mid-air.

Finally, the user experience is more important than you might think. A clear interface, up-to-date documentation, an active community… The less time you spend reading Stack Overflow, the more time you’ll save on your deadlines.

Our selection criteria

To present this selection of software, we have used a number of criteria:

• centralisation: as mentioned above, some software is decentralised, allowing teleworking, while others offer a centralised system, requiring a connection to a local server;
• storage space: this type of tool needs to retain all modified files, so it is essential that the tool chosen offers unlimited storage space;
• Updating: the software must be updated regularly and take account of changes to files in real time to avoid repetitive work and wasted time;
• cost: the price of a versioning tool varies according to a number of criteria (its functionality, performance, speed of task execution, etc.).

Versioning tools in brief

Versioning tools are essential for storing your files while preserving the chronology of changes made. This article has enabled you to compare the different solutions on the market.

Now it’s up to you to decide which software is best suited to your characteristics and needs.

☝️Lorsque you opt for paid tools, don’t hesitate to explore all their nooks and crannies thanks to the free trial versions!