GitKraken and GitLens for Students: Offer, Price and Use

GitKraken and GitLens for students give you six months of Pro features through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. This guide explains what is included, how to activate the offer, which rules apply after six months and what to watch for with AI features.

The most important points

• The student plan is free for six months. According to the provider it includes GitKraken Desktop, GitLens Pro for VS Code and Cursor, the CLI, GitKraken.dev and the browser extension.
• You need verification through the GitHub Student Developer Pack.
• The account must be created with “Sign in with GitHub”. Other sign-in methods do not transfer the student licence.
• You must add a payment method. This is meant to stop your access from lapsing after the free period.
• Afterwards Pro is available at a discount, as long as you are a verified student. The amounts are on the provider pricing page.

Offer at a glance

The table summarises the information from GitKraken, last updated October 2026.

What is included in the student plan?

According to GitKraken, the plan includes GitKraken Desktop, GitLens Pro for VS Code and Cursor, the GitKraken CLI, GitKraken.dev and the browser extension. It covers one seat, meaning one person. It also includes a quota of 25,000 AI tokens per week.

GitKraken Desktop is a standalone graphical interface for Git, the version control system for code. GitLens is an extension for your editor that shows information about changes directly in the code. Git itself is free and can be used entirely in the terminal. More on software for computer science studies is in our guide Software for computer science studies: GitHub Pack, IDEs and cloud.

When does the offer make sense at university?

The offer suits you if you regularly work with Git in projects, theses or internships and want a graphical interface or editor integration. If you only occasionally upload code to a repository, Git in the terminal is usually enough. Six months covers roughly one semester. After that, the question is whether a subscription makes sense for you.

How to activate the offer

1. Apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack and prove your student status. GitHub checks the proof. Details are in our guide to the GitHub Student Developer Pack.
2. Create your GitKraken account with “Sign in with GitHub” or link an existing account to GitHub. Other sign-in methods do not transfer the student licence. Background is in our guide Sign in with GitHub.
3. Open gitkraken.dev/student and start the trial.
4. Add a payment method. This is meant to stop your access from lapsing after the free period.
5. Check on gitkraken.dev/subscription whether the student trial is shown as active.

The trial starts when you create the account. Deleting the account and creating a new one does not restart the trial.

What happens after the six months?

You can then switch to a Pro subscription. GitKraken names a discount of 75 to 80 percent off GitKraken Pro, as long as you are a verified student. The amounts depend on the currency. Shortly before the trial ends, GitKraken informs you by email and in the app.

Once your student status ends, the discount ends too. According to GitKraken, you can cancel a subscription at any time before the renewal date.

Which rules apply to AI features?

The plan includes a quota of AI tokens. Do not enter personal data, unpublished research data or access credentials into AI features. Check AI output before you use it, because it can contain errors. The examination regulations and the rules of your university decide whether and how you may use AI in your studies. More on this in our guide Data protection with AI tools at university.

Frequently asked questions

Is GitKraken free for students?

Yes, for six months, provided you are verified through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. Afterwards a discount of 75 to 80 percent off GitKraken Pro applies, as long as you are a verified student.

Does the offer apply in Germany?

GitKraken does not state any country restriction and refers to students worldwide who can verify through GitHub Education. GitHub decides whether your student status is accepted.

Do I need a payment method?

Yes, you must add a payment method. This is meant to stop your access from lapsing after the free period. You can cancel until the renewal date.

Can I extend the trial by creating a new account?

No. The trial starts when you create the account and cannot be restarted, even by deleting the account and creating a new one.

What is the difference between GitKraken and GitLens?

GitKraken Desktop is a standalone program with a graphical interface. GitLens adds information about changes to your editor. Both belong to the student plan.

What happens if I lose my student status?

The discount on GitKraken Pro only applies as long as you are a verified student. The provider terms set out whether and how access continues afterwards. Read them before you rely on continued use.

How to proceed now

1. Check whether your GitHub Student Developer Pack is active.
2. Create the GitKraken account with “Sign in with GitHub” so that the student licence is transferred.
3. Note when the six months end and decide on a subscription in good time.
4. Check whether your university provides licences for Git interfaces or editor extensions.

Related reading

• AI tools for students 2026: which offers come with student status
• Student discounts for software and apps 2026: the overview
• GitHub Student Developer Pack: price, requirements and verification
• Sign in with GitHub: which student offers you unlock only through GitHub
• Termius for students: offer, price and use at university

Sources: GitKraken help: GitKraken Student Pack (as of March 2026); GitKraken: GitHub Student Developer Pack (as of 19 October 2026); GitHub Student Developer Pack (as of October 2026).

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.