Git offers two main ways to integrate changes from one branch into another: merge and rebase. While both achieve the same end goal, they create very different commit histories. Understanding when to use each is essential for clean collaboration.

• Git Merge creates a new commit (merge commit) that connects two branches. It preserves the complete history of both branches and shows exactly when the integration happened. Use it when merging feature branches back into the main branch for public/historical record.
• Git Rebase rewrites commit history by moving all commits from your feature branch to the tip of the target branch. This produces a linear, cleaner history with no merge bubbles. Use it for local cleanup before sharing your work.
• When to merge: Use merge on shared branches (main, develop) when you want to preserve context about when features were integrated. Merge is also safer because it does not rewrite history that others may depend on.
• When to rebase: Use rebase on local/private branches before pushing. It is ideal for pulling upstream changes into your feature branch without creating extra merge commits. Never rebase a branch that others have already pulled from.
• Golden rule: Rebase your own work before sharing it; merge everyone else work after sharing. A typical workflow is rebase on your feature branch daily to stay up to date, then merge (not rebase) when the feature is complete and ready for review.

Verdict: Use merge for public history and collaboration, use rebase for private cleanup. Follow the golden rule do not rebase shared branches and you will keep your team happy and your Git history clean.