Git Merge vs Git Rebase Explained — What's the Difference?

Git Merge vs Git Rebase Explained — What's the Difference?

Git Merge vs Git Rebase — both integrate changes from different branches, but they handle Git history differently.

In this video, you'll learn:
- What Git Merge does.
- What Git Rebase does.
- How each operation changes commit history.
- Practical Git commands.
- Benefits and trade-offs.
- When to choose merge or rebase.
- Why rebasing shared branches can be dangerous.

One example runs through the whole video: a feature/payments branch cut from main, two new commits landing on main while you work, and the two ways to catch up. Merge brings the histories together and adds a merge commit when one is needed — your original commits keep their identities. Rebase replays your commits on top of the latest main, which means new commits with new hashes, not the originals moved across.

Neither is the "right" one. Merge suits shared branches where the integration history matters. Rebase suits tidying up your own branch before it goes in. Both can hit conflicts, and rebasing something your teammates have already pulled is how you ruin their afternoon.

CHAPTERS
00:00 — Merge or Rebase?
00:10 — The Branching Problem
00:25 — What Are Merge and Rebase?
00:40 — How They Change Git History
01:00 — Practical Git Commands
01:25 — Benefits and Trade-offs
01:45 — The Takeaway

Watch on YouTube