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What is Git?
Git is a free tool that keeps track of every change made to a project's files, so you can go back or work with others.
- Category GitHub & code
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Git, explained simply
Git saves snapshots of your files over time. If something breaks, you can return to an earlier snapshot.
Many people can work on the same project without overwriting each other.
Git runs on your computer. GitHub is a website that builds on top of it.
For example, a writer could use Git to keep every draft of a long document.
On ITG Now, our free tool guides tell you when you need Git installed, and give the simple command to get a tool.
Related terms
GitHubgit cloneCommitRepoPull request
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Questions people ask about Git
Is Git free?
Yes. Git is free and open source.
Git vs GitHub: what is the difference?
Git is the tool that tracks changes. GitHub is a website that hosts projects that use Git.
Do I need Git to use GitHub tools?
Not always. You can often download a ZIP, but Git makes installing and updating easier.