Visual SourceSafe (VSS) is a version control system that was popular among software development teams for managing source code, documents, and other files. However, as technology evolves, new and more advanced alternatives have emerged that offer better features, scalability, and collaboration capabilities. In this article, we will explore the ten best Visual SourceSafe alternatives and competitors in 2024, highlighting their unique features and advantages.

1. Git

Git is a distributed version control system widely used in software development. It offers fast performance, excellent branching and merging capabilities, and strong support for distributed workflows. Git provides a decentralized approach to version control, allowing developers to work offline and collaborate seamlessly with others. It is highly scalable and can handle projects of any size. Git also integrates well with other tools and platforms, making it a popular choice for modern software development teams.

2. GitHub

GitHub is a web-based hosting service for Git repositories. It provides a user-friendly interface and powerful collaboration features. GitHub offers code review, issue tracking, project management, and continuous integration capabilities. It allows developers to easily contribute to open-source projects and collaborate on private repositories. GitHub has a large community of developers and offers extensive integrations with other tools and services, making it a top choice for many software development teams.

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3. Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a web-based version control system that supports both Git and Mercurial repositories. It offers unlimited private repositories, flexible permission settings, and seamless integration with other Atlassian products like Jira and Confluence. Bitbucket provides robust collaboration features, such as code review, pull requests, and pipelines for continuous integration and delivery. It also offers excellent scalability options, making it suitable for small teams and large enterprises alike.

4. Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps, formerly known as Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS), is a cloud-based platform that provides a complete set of development tools and services. It offers version control, agile project management, continuous integration and delivery, and testing capabilities. Azure DevOps integrates seamlessly with popular development environments and provides built-in support for Git repositories. It also offers extensive reporting and analytics features, helping teams track their progress and improve their development processes.

5. Perforce

Perforce is a centralized version control system that offers high performance and scalability for large codebases. It provides robust branching and merging capabilities, efficient handling of binary files, and excellent security features. Perforce offers support for distributed teams and seamless integration with other development tools. It also provides advanced features like fine-grained access control and audit logs, making it suitable for highly regulated industries.

6. Subversion (SVN)

Subversion, also known as SVN, is a centralized version control system that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It offers features like atomic commits, efficient handling of binary files, and excellent support for branching and merging. Subversion provides strong support for large codebases and integrates well with popular development tools. It is a mature and stable version control system that has been widely used in the software development industry for many years.

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7. Mercurial

Mercurial is a distributed version control system designed for speed and scalability. It offers excellent performance for large codebases and provides strong support for distributed workflows. Mercurial offers intuitive commands and a clean interface, making it easy to learn and use. It also provides powerful collaboration features, such as code review and pull requests. Mercurial integrates well with other development tools and platforms, making it a flexible choice for software development teams.

8. Plastic SCM

Plastic SCM is a distributed version control system that provides advanced branching and merging capabilities. It offers a graphical user interface and powerful visualization features, making it easy to understand and manage complex codebases. Plastic SCM provides excellent performance and scalability, supporting large teams and massive repositories. It also offers features like code review, continuous integration, and issue tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for software development.

9. Team Foundation Server (TFS)

Team Foundation Server, now known as Azure DevOps Server, is an on-premises version control system that offers a complete set of development tools and services. It provides version control, project management, build automation, and testing capabilities. TFS integrates well with Microsoft development tools and provides strong support for large codebases. It also offers advanced reporting and analytics features, enabling teams to track their progress and make data-driven decisions.

10. GitLab

GitLab is a web-based platform that provides a complete DevOps lifecycle solution. It offers version control, continuous integration and delivery, project management, and monitoring capabilities. GitLab supports both Git and Mercurial repositories and provides a user-friendly interface with powerful collaboration features. It can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, giving teams flexibility in choosing their hosting options. GitLab also integrates well with other tools and platforms, making it a popular choice for modern software development teams.

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In conclusion, Visual SourceSafe was once a popular version control system but has been surpassed by newer and more advanced alternatives. Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, Perforce, Subversion, Mercurial, Plastic SCM, Team Foundation Server, and GitLab are all excellent alternatives to Visual SourceSafe in 2024. Each platform offers unique features and advantages, such as distributed workflows, powerful collaboration tools, scalability, and integration capabilities. When choosing the best alternative to Visual SourceSafe, teams should consider their specific needs, project requirements, and budget constraints. With these alternatives, software development teams can effectively manage their source code, collaborate seamlessly, and improve their development processes.