Should I use GitHub, a local Git client, or another remote host?
Asked by
MellowQuasar42
I'm a student learning several programming languages while building personal projects such as games and small engines. I'm learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and C++, and I may eventually use these skills professionally. I have around 600 GB of free disk space and usually work alone, so I was considering using a desktop Git GUI in evaluation mode and keeping everything only on my computer. I've also heard mixed opinions about GitHub's reliability, security, Microsoft ownership, and push toward AI features. Should I manage my projects locally, continue using GitHub, or choose an alternative Git hosting service? I'd also appreciate advice on whether I should learn the Git command-line tools instead of relying mainly on a GUI.
Answers
You don't have to choose between local Git and a hosted service. Use Git locally with whichever interface you prefer, then push the repositories to GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, Bitbucket, or a self-hosted service such as Gitea or Forgejo. If you dislike GitHub's policies or features, switching hosts is straightforward because they all use Git underneath. Just make sure anything you push does not contain passwords, API keys, or other secrets.
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For learning, spend some time with the Git command line even if you ultimately use a GUI. GUIs can make common operations convenient, but understanding commands such as status, add, commit, log, branch, switch, merge, pull, and push will make it much easier to troubleshoot and follow documentation. A GUI is an interface choice, not a replacement for having a remote backup.
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The reliability concerns are probably being overstated for your situation. GitHub is generally dependable for ordinary repositories, and many reported problems involve optional services such as automated workflows rather than basic source hosting. If you are uncomfortable with it, alternatives are available, but there is no technical need to abandon remote hosting entirely. A sensible setup would be local Git plus a remote repository, with another backup if the projects matter to you.
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Git and GitHub are separate things. Git is the version-control system that can run entirely on your computer, while GitHub is a remote hosting service built around Git. A local GUI gives you commits, branches, history, worktrees, and conflict management, but it does not replace the benefits of a remote repository. Remote hosting provides an off-site backup, lets you work from multiple machines, makes sharing easier, and gives you experience with tools commonly used in industry. Keeping everything on one hard drive is risky because a drive failure could erase both your project and its history.
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