Git Submodules vs Monorepo

Developers should use Git Submodules when they need to incorporate external libraries, frameworks, or shared components into their main project while keeping those dependencies as separate repositories with their own version history meets developers should use a monorepo when working on interconnected projects that share common code, such as microservices, frontend and backend applications, or libraries with tight integration. Here's our take.

Git Submodules

Nice Pick

Developers should use Git Submodules when they need to incorporate external libraries, frameworks, or shared components into their main project while keeping those dependencies as separate repositories with their own version history

Pros

• Common use cases include managing third-party dependencies, sharing common code across multiple projects, or working on large, modular applications where different teams maintain separate repositories
• Related to: git, version-control

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Monorepo

Developers should use a monorepo when working on interconnected projects that share common code, such as microservices, frontend and backend applications, or libraries with tight integration

Pros

• It simplifies dependency management, reduces duplication, and facilitates large-scale refactoring and code reuse
• Related to: version-control, git

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Git Submodules is a tool while Monorepo is a methodology. We picked Git Submodules based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Git Submodules wins

Based on overall popularity. Git Submodules is more widely used, but Monorepo excels in its own space.