Git for Windows vs GitExtensions

By using the CLI, one is given access to every single git function available, thus providing complete flexibility in managing git.

Git for Windows includes a command-line interface in the form of Git BASH, a graphical interface in the form of Git GUI and a context menu interface.

Git BASH offers the complete power of git, Git GUI aims to cover all git functionality (though it falls a bit short) in a graphical way and the context menu enables quick access to simple commands.

Since most devs invoke git via CLI, there's a higher chance of getting an answer to a CLI-based git problem than that which is GUI-based.

It's possible to generate an RSA key pair using Git BASH. Instructions on how to do so can be found here.

By using the git from the command line, it's possible to learn how it functions and how best to get the desired result.

Even a visual representation of various branches and how they're merged is possible.

To visualize history:

git log --graph

It's totally free
And its written and thought by developers who really know what you need as a developer. Open to contributions by everybody.

GitExtensions typically displays all commands that it carries out in a separate window. The user can also open the Gitcommand log (under Tools) and view the git commands as they interact with the program.

Instead of using HTTPS and authenticating every time they are pushing their code remotely, plenty of developers prefer to use SSH to communicate with the remote server and authenticate using secure key pairs.

Staging/unstaging files and/or lines of code, ammending, overriding commit's author, commit templates.

Complex git commands such as resolving a rebase conflict or performing a subtree merge are made much easier by a helpful UI.

GitExtensions has a simple layout, all usual functions being available without navigation menus. The branching and merging are clear and easy to follow.

GitExtensions is a lightweight and fast application.

Easy to save, view & pop stashes.

Can either be set up as a shell extension, standalone tool of Visual Studio plugin, allowing developers to choose the way that suits their workflow best and is easier for them to get into.

Can be used as a Visual Studio plugin for developers who use it as their IDE, or as a standalone tool. Both are easy to use even for users not very familiar with git.

Powerful submodule support, also when working with multiple cloned SuperRepos.

Includes Gitflow, also has a delete obsolete branches feature which is very useful to get rid of those old branches that have already been merged. There are also other options to clean overall clutter in repositories.

This makes running custom git commands quicker.

The settings window on first run helps you set lots of required settings such as your commit email address.

Makes working with repos using different languages and support tools much easier.

There are several out-of-the-box plugins installed with standard setup. Additional behavior customization is possible with new plugins (written in C#).