Discover the best version control tools for game development in 2026, including Git's free flexibility versus Perforce's AAA scalability; Anchorpoint's artist-friendly Git enhancements; Unity VCS integration; and SVN old-school reliability.

Selecting a version control system for your mobile app development team comes down to several key factors: team size, asset types, hosting, security needs, budget, and usability. In this article, we'll explore the top contenders in the world of game development, from Git-compatible solutions like Anchorpoint to Unity-native experiences and AAA-scale leaders like Perforce.

Why Do You Need Version Control?

Game development involves working with large files, such as 3D models, textures, audio tracks, animations, and code. For this reason, version control is always recommended for your projects, even if you are working alone. Version control gives you the ability to:

  • Back up your work online and have the ability to revert to older project versions
  • Synchronize and share your work with other team members
  • Keep a detailed project history with each commit
  • Lock your files to prevent conflicts
  • Work on different branches and merge them into the main branch when needed

Centralized vs. Distributed Version Control

Centralized version control (CVCS) software, such as Perforce, excels at managing large quantities of binary files and offers sophisticated access controls. However, it is primarily used in enterprise and legacy environments.

Pros: Granular file/folder permissions, scales to massive teams/terabyte repos, efficient binary handling with locking, and centralized control for strict workflows.

Cons: Single point of failure (server downtime halts work), no offline support, slower branching/merging, and expensive/complex setup.

On the other hand, distributed version control systems (DVCSs), such as Git, have become more popular due to their speed, lack of a single point of failure, and ability to work offline.

Pros: Offline-first with full local repos, fast branching/merging, no vendor lock-in; vast free ecosystem, and cost-effective/open-source options.

Cons: Higher local disk usage, weaker access controls, needs LFS for binaries, and has a steeper curve for artists (unless a GUI/Git-compatible client is used).

Best Version Control Tools for AI-Powered Mobile Apps

Anchorpoint is a Git-compatible version control system designed for artists. It provides all the advantages of Git, along with additional features essential for game development workflows, including file locking, single-file operations, selective checkouts, and a user-friendly interface.

Pros:

  • Improved workflow: Good single-file operations, strong performance on heavy projects, eliminates Git config hassles for binary files
  • Selective checkout: Can handle large repos by syncing only needed files via Git sparse-checkout
  • File locking: Custom file locking system to prevent team conflicts
  • Thumbnails: Displays previews for game dev formats (PSD, UASSET, BLEND, FBX, GLTF and more)
  • Asset management: Build folder structures and tags to streamline Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D workflows

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced Git dev features: No pull requests or multi-branch views; use Fork/SourceTree instead
  • Not free: Proprietary with free tier; subscriptions needed for advanced features
  • Git limitations: Limited access controls

Best for: Game development teams of any size and engine type, especially for those working with Unreal and Unity.

Git with Git LFS

Git is the most popular version control system, with the largest ecosystem of tools, including editor extensions and desktop applications, as well as cloud services such as GitHub, GitLab, and Azure DevOps. This makes Git an excellent choice for teams of all sizes.

Pros:

  • Largest community: Abundant guides online; most developers know Git for easy onboarding/outsourcing
  • Free: CLI, GitHub Desktop, and free cloud tiers (e.g., GitHub) provide full version control
  • Open source: Vast tools, scripts, add-ons; easily extend with custom ones
  • Many clients/services: Wide Git-based options (desktop/cloud) at low cost; all compatible, no vendor lock-in
  • Offline capable: Works without internet
  • Very fast: Instant branches/merges; local commits with background uploads
  • CI support: Built-in tools on hosts like GitLab for game builds (cloud/local runners)
  • Superior branching: Isolated feature/bug work; easy merges to main

Cons:

  • High disk usage: Decentralized design stores full history locally (~2x assets folder size)
  • Artist-unfriendly: Confusing for non-devs without command-line/desktop guidance
  • Weak file locking: Git LFS is slow/subpar for binaries; requires manual config (.gitattributes or track commands)
  • Poor access controls: Lacks fine-grained restrictions for enterprise needs

Best for: Solo devs, small teams, medium teams, or code-heavy prototypes.

Perforce

Perforce is primarily used in AAA game development and is celebrated for its scalability and robust access controls. It is particularly favored by engines like Unreal thanks to its ability to handle large binary project files. Perforce dates back to the 1990s and is older than Git.

As a centralized system, Perforce requires a constant internet connection, which makes it slower than Git, but it is far more scalable for large teams and projects.