Mercurial, 20 years and counting: how are we still alive and kicking? [video]

Mercurial, a distributed version control system launched in 2005, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, despite widespread perceptions of its decline in popularity over the past decade.

Mercurial has remained actively maintained since its inception, with ongoing development, community engagement, and industry support. A recent presentation at FOSDEM 2026 examined how the project has weathered the dominance of Git, which overtook Mercurial in popularity during the 2010s. The speakers highlighted that Mercurial continues to be used in various sectors, especially where its technical design and community support remain valued.

While many in the software development community associate Mercurial primarily with its past prominence, the project has sustained funding and contributor involvement. Notably, large companies have continued to support its development, ensuring its relevance in specific niches. The presentation also discussed how Mercurial’s technical features and community-driven approach have contributed to its longevity, even as Git became the industry standard for most open-source projects.

Why It Matters

This matters because it challenges the common narrative that Mercurial is obsolete, emphasizing the importance of diversity in version control tools. It highlights how open-source projects can endure beyond market dominance, maintaining relevance through community support and technical robustness. For developers and organizations, Mercurial’s continued activity underscores the value of alternative tools in version control ecosystems and raises questions about the future landscape of software development infrastructure.

Background

Mercurial was created in 2005 as a distributed version control system designed to be fast, scalable, and easy to use. It gained early adoption in open-source projects and was notably used by Mozilla for their Firefox development. During the 2010s, Git’s rise, driven by platforms like GitHub, led to a decline in Mercurial’s popularity. However, the project persisted, receiving ongoing contributions and support from industry players. Recent years have seen renewed interest in its technical features and community-driven development, with discussions at FOSDEM 2026 reflecting on its resilience and ongoing relevance.

“Despite losing the popularity battle to Git, Mercurial remains actively maintained and relevant in certain sectors.”

— FOSDEM speaker

“Our community support and technical robustness have helped Mercurial endure for two decades.”

— Community contributor

What Remains Unclear

It is still unclear how much further Mercurial will grow in mainstream adoption, or whether it will maintain its niche status. The future impact of industry shifts toward newer tools remains uncertain, and the project’s long-term sustainability depends on continued community and industry support.

What’s Next

Next steps include monitoring ongoing development efforts, industry adoption, and community engagement. The project is expected to continue evolving, with potential updates and new features driven by its supporters. The community will likely assess its role amid changing version control landscapes and technological trends.

Key Questions

Why did Mercurial lose popularity to Git?

Git’s rise was driven by platform support like GitHub, which popularized it for open-source collaboration. Its perceived ease of use and integration into major development workflows contributed to its dominance.

Is Mercurial still actively maintained?

Yes, Mercurial continues to receive updates, support, and development contributions from its community and industry partners, as highlighted at FOSDEM 2026.

Who still uses Mercurial today?

While less common in open-source projects, Mercurial remains in use within certain organizations and sectors that value its technical features and community support.

What are the main advantages of Mercurial over Git?

Mercurial is praised for its simplicity, clean architecture, and ease of use, especially in large projects requiring scalable version control.

What does the future hold for Mercurial?

Its future depends on continued community involvement and industry support, with ongoing development and potential growth in niche markets.