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GitHub Desktop vs Greenhouse

GitHub Desktop logo

GitHub Desktop

Software

Simple collaboration from your desktop

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Greenhouse logo

Greenhouse

Software

Hiring software for growing companies

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GitHub Desktop has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GitHub Desktop available for Windows and macOS only, with no Linux build; Greenhouse core plan lacks talent discovery and contact lookups
  • They diverge on capability: GitHub Desktop covers Visual Git interface, Greenhouse covers Applicant tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GitHub Desktop and Greenhouse actually diverge.

Attributes where GitHub Desktop and Greenhouse differ
AttributeGitHub DesktopGreenhouse
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Founded20082012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GitHub Desktop

  • Visual Git interface
  • GitHub integration
  • Branch management
  • Pull request workflow
  • Commit history
  • Merge conflict resolution
  • Repository cloning
  • Collaboration tools

Only in Greenhouse

  • Applicant tracking
  • Interview scheduling
  • Scorecard system
  • Job board posting
  • Candidate CRM
  • Reporting & analytics
  • Offer management
  • EEO compliance

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GitHub Desktop

  • Git repository managementnot Greenhouse
  • Open source contributionsnot Greenhouse
  • Code collaborationnot Greenhouse
  • Version controlnot Greenhouse
  • Team developmentnot Greenhouse

Greenhouse

  • Applicant tracking system for structured hiringnot GitHub Desktop
  • AI-powered interview notetaking and sourcingnot GitHub Desktop

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GitHub Desktop

  • Available for Windows and macOS only, with no Linux build

Greenhouse

  • Core plan lacks talent discovery and contact lookups
  • Core plan lacks email automation and applicant texting
  • Plus plan lacks resume anonymisation and application limits
  • Plus plan lacks audit logging and developer tools
  • Pricing customised by hiring volume and company size, not published
  • Only Pro tier offers audit logs and developer sandbox

Pricing, plan by plan

GitHub Desktop

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Git repository management
    • GitHub integration
    • Visual diff tools

Greenhouse

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Greenhouse review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GitHub Desktop if

  • You need visual git interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos.
  • You also want github integration.
GitHub Desktop review

Choose Greenhouse if

  • You need applicant tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want interview scheduling.
Greenhouse review

Questions people ask

Is GitHub Desktop or Greenhouse better?
Neither clearly leads. GitHub Desktop starts at Free and Greenhouse at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GitHub Desktop or Greenhouse?
GitHub Desktop has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GitHub Desktop and On request for Greenhouse.
Does GitHub Desktop or Greenhouse run on more platforms?
GitHub Desktop runs on Windows, Macos. Greenhouse runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use GitHub Desktop for free?
Yes. GitHub Desktop has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Greenhouse starts at On request.
What is GitHub Desktop best used for?
GitHub Desktop is most often used for git repository management, open source contributions, code collaboration, version control. Of those, git repository management and open source contributions are not what Greenhouse is typically brought in for.
What can GitHub Desktop do that Greenhouse cannot?
GitHub Desktop covers Visual Git interface, GitHub integration, Branch management, Pull request workflow. Greenhouse covers Applicant tracking, Interview scheduling, Scorecard system, Job board posting.
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Related pages

More on GitHub Desktop

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