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Fossil

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Free, self-contained distributed version control with built-in wiki and bug tracker

Source Code Management Software
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  • Deployment On Premises
  • Starting price Free
  • Free trial Not offered
  • Best for Freelancers, Startups, SMEs

What is Fossil?

Fossil is a free, open source, distributed version control system created by the same team behind SQLite and released under a 2-clause BSD license. Beyond tracking file history, it bundles an integrated bug tracker, wiki, discussion forum, chat, and technical notes system into a single self contained executable, with no separate database server or extra dependencies required to install or run it.

Fossil stores its repository as a single SQLite database file, uses atomic commits to avoid corruption from power loss or crashes, and includes a built in, themeable web interface that can run as a standalone server or through CGI. Its autosync feature reduces unnecessary forking during collaboration. Fossil is popular with small teams, solo developers, and projects that want a lightweight, all in one alternative to running separate Git hosting, issue tracking, and wiki tools.

Key Features of Fossil

Fossil lists 9 documented features, including Distributed version control, Built in bug tracker and wiki and Built in forum and chat. The list below covers what the product does rather than how it is marketed.

  • Distributed version control
  • Built in bug tracker and wiki
  • Built in forum and chat
  • Single self contained executable
  • SQLite based repository storage
  • Atomic, crash safe commits
  • Built in themeable web interface
  • Autosync mode
  • Cross platform (Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD)

Fossil Pricing

Fossil lists one plan, at Free.

Open Source

Free

Unlimited, self hosted

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Free and open source under the 2-clause BSD license

Fossil Specifications

Fossil is available on web app, Windows and macOS. It offers an API and has a free plan.

Deployment
  • On Premises
Billing cycle
One-time
Desktop
  • Web App
  • Windows
  • macOS
Languages
  • English
Built for
  • Freelancers
  • Startups
  • SMEs
Integrations
SQLite, CGI/mod_cgi deployment, TH1 scripting
Public API
Yes
Free trial
No
Free plan
Yes
Runs in browser
Yes
Customisable
Yes
Website
fossil-scm.org

Fossil Videos

Fossil Screenshots

Fossil screenshot 1

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Fossil FAQs

Yes, Fossil is free and open source software released under a 2-clause BSD license.

Fossil bundles version control with an integrated bug tracker, wiki, forum, and web interface in a single executable, whereas Git handles only version control.

Fossil stores the entire repository, including history and tickets, in a single SQLite database file with atomic, crash safe commits.

Yes, Fossil includes a built in, themeable web server that can run standalone or via CGI to browse code, wikis, and tickets.

Fossil is maintained by the same team that develops SQLite, led by D. Richard Hipp.