Version Control

Unreal projects contain source code you can merge and binary assets that usually need exclusive editing. Compare file locking, editor support, and hosting requirements, then test the system with your largest assets and the connections your team uses.

Sources checked September 24, 2026.

Version control comparison

Perforce P4

Model: Centralized depot
Binary assets: Exclusive checkout through Perforce file types
Unreal workflow: Built-in source control provider
Fits: Teams that need strict asset locking and can own or fund a P4 service

Git with Git LFS

Model: Distributed Git repository with separate LFS storage
Binary assets: Pointer files in Git, large content on an LFS server
Unreal workflow: Built-in Git provider (beta, no locking); community UEGitPlugin adds LFS locks
Fits: Code-heavy teams that already use Git and can manage LFS storage

Unity Version Control

Model: Centralized or distributed; Unity Cloud or on-premises server
Binary assets: Smart Locks held until the file merges into a destination branch
Unreal workflow: Built-in Plastic SCM provider on Windows and Linux; no macOS editor support
Fits: Teams that want branching and enforced locks without running a P4 server

Lore

Model: Centralized remote with offline local operations
Binary assets: Binary-first, content-addressed storage
Unreal workflow: Used by UEFN; no public Unreal Editor plugin has shipped
Fits: Evaluation, experiments, and teams that can work with pre-stable tooling

Diversion

Model: Managed cloud; private cloud and on-premises on Enterprise
Binary assets: Soft warnings; hard locks enforce at commit
Unreal workflow: Plugin for UE 5.3 to 5.8; 5.8 is Windows and macOS only
Fits: Teams that want managed setup and an editor workflow

Tool	Model	Binary assets	Unreal workflow	Fits
Perforce P4	Centralized depot	Exclusive checkout through Perforce file types	Built-in source control provider	Teams that need strict asset locking and can own or fund a P4 service
Git with Git LFS	Distributed Git repository with separate LFS storage	Pointer files in Git, large content on an LFS server	Built-in Git provider (beta, no locking); community UEGitPlugin adds LFS locks	Code-heavy teams that already use Git and can manage LFS storage
Unity Version Control	Centralized or distributed; Unity Cloud or on-premises server	Smart Locks held until the file merges into a destination branch	Built-in Plastic SCM provider on Windows and Linux; no macOS editor support	Teams that want branching and enforced locks without running a P4 server
Lore	Centralized remote with offline local operations	Binary-first, content-addressed storage	Used by UEFN; no public Unreal Editor plugin has shipped	Evaluation, experiments, and teams that can work with pre-stable tooling
Diversion	Managed cloud; private cloud and on-premises on Enterprise	Soft warnings; hard locks enforce at commit	Plugin for UE 5.3 to 5.8; 5.8 is Windows and macOS only	Teams that want managed setup and an editor workflow

Version control options

Perforce P4

Perforce P4, formerly Helix Core, stores the shared project in a central depot. Each person syncs a workspace, opens files for edit, and submits a numbered changelist back to the server.

P4 is the default for Unreal studios, and Epic's own tools assume it. It's ideal when artists need enforced checkout on binary assets and someone can run the server or pay for P4 Cloud.

Read the Perforce P4 guide

Git with Git LFS

Git LFS stores large-file contents separately from the Git repository. Git commits contain small pointer files that identify the matching LFS objects.

It's ideal for code-heavy teams that already work in Git. Once artists commit large assets every day, storage, transfer, and locking become the main cost.

Read the Git with Git LFS guide

Unity Version Control

Unity Version Control, formerly Plastic SCM, stores projects in repositories on a Unity Cloud or on-premises server. A workspace can check in straight to the server, or work against a local replica and push and pull like Git.

It's ideal for Windows and Linux teams that want real branching and enforced binary locks without administering Perforce. Mac-heavy teams will miss the editor integration.

Read the Unity Version Control guide

Lore

Lore is a centralized version control system from Epic Games with local operations that work offline. It splits file content into hashed fragments so revisions can share unchanged data.

Don't move a production project to Lore yet. It's pre-stable, its locks don't block edits, and there's no editor plugin. Try it on a copy of the project.

Read the Lore guide

Diversion

Diversion is hosted version control. Repositories live in Diversion's managed cloud, and the Enterprise plan adds private-cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployment. Desktop, web, command-line, and engine clients connect to the shared repository.

It's ideal for small teams that want an editor plugin and file locks without running a server. Enforced locks need the Studio or Enterprise plan.

Read the Diversion guide

Unreal Directive is free and ad-free.

If it saved you time, you can help keep it that way.

Donate