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GitKraken vs SourceTree vs Tower: What are the differences?
Introduction:
GitKraken, SourceTree, and Tower are all popular Git clients that provide user-friendly interfaces for working with Git repositories. While they have similar basic functionalities, there are key differences between them.
Integration with Version Control Platforms: GitKraken is not only compatible with Git, but also with GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab. It provides seamless integration with these version control platforms, allowing users to easily manage their repositories. In contrast, SourceTree primarily focuses on Git and Bitbucket, while Tower supports Git and Subversion.
User Interface: GitKraken boasts a sleek and intuitive user interface, with a graph-like visualization of the repository tree. This visual representation makes it easier to understand branches, merges, and commits. SourceTree also offers a user-friendly interface, but it lacks the same level of visual clarity. Tower, on the other hand, provides a powerful interface with a clean and organized layout, emphasizing efficiency and productivity.
Pricing Model: GitKraken follows a subscription-based pricing model, with different plans available for individuals, teams, and enterprises. It also offers a free version with limited features. SourceTree, on the other hand, is completely free to use for both personal and commercial purposes. Tower offers a one-time purchase license, with separate pricing for individuals and teams.
Platform Compatibility: GitKraken is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of operating systems. SourceTree is primarily designed for macOS and Windows, with limited support for Linux. Tower, likewise, supports macOS and Windows, but it does not have native Linux support.
Advanced Features: GitKraken provides advanced features such as Git history, code review, pull request management, and built-in merge conflict resolution. SourceTree also offers pull request management and merge conflict resolution, but it does not include Git history or code review functionality. Tower, on the other hand, provides an extensive set of features including Git history, visual conflict resolution, and a powerful interactive rebase tool.
In summary, GitKraken offers seamless integration with popular version control platforms, a visually appealing interface, and advanced features. SourceTree is free to use, works well with Git and Bitbucket, and provides basic features. Tower emphasizes productivity and efficiency with a powerful interface and a comprehensive set of features.
I explored many Git Desktop tools for the Mac and my final decision was to use Fork. What I love about for that it contains three features, I like about a Git Client tool.
It allows * to handle day to day git operations (least important for me as I am cli junkie) * it helps to investigate the history * most important of all, it has a repo manager which many other tools are missing.
Pros of GitKraken
- Dark theme59
- Best linux git client34
- Great overview29
- Full featured client21
- Gitflow support20
- Beautiful UI19
- Very easy to use18
- Graph16
- Works great on both linux and windows13
- Effortless13
- Easy Merge Conflict Tool6
- Amazing Github and Bitbucket integration5
- Great UX4
- Integration with GitHub3
- Automatic Repo Discovery3
- Submodule support3
- Easy to Learn and Setup3
- Super fast3
- Fuzzy find (CTRL P)2
- Very user friendly1
- Much more stable than source tree1
- Great for non-dev users1
- Because it has Linux client1
- Command palette (CTRL Shift P)1
Pros of SourceTree
- Visual history and branch view205
- Beautiful UI164
- Easy repository browsing134
- Gitflow support87
- Interactive stage or discard by hunks or lines75
- Great branch visualization22
- Ui/ux and user-friendliness18
- Best Git Client UI/Features8
- Search commit messages7
- Available for Windows and macOS5
- Log only one file1
- Search file content1
Pros of Tower
- Git19
- Just works16
- Version control10
- Awesome6
- Simple layout6
- Multiple windows4
- Automatic repo discovery3
- Multiple tabs3
- Submodule support2
- Github integration2
- Full featured client2
- Uses standard git terminology and methods2
- Gitflow support2
- Interactive stage or discard by hunks or lines2
- SAS1
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Cons of GitKraken
- Extremely slow when working with large repositories3
- No edit/fixup in interactive rebase3
- Hangs occasionally (not as bad as sourcetree)3
- Not as many features as sourcetree2
- Do not allow to directly edit staging area2
- Does not work like a Mac app2
Cons of SourceTree
- Crashes often12
- So many bugs8
- Fetching is slow sometimes7
- No dark theme (Windows)5
- Extremely slow5
- Very unstable5
- Can't select text in diff (windows)4
- Freezes quite frequently3
- Can't scale window from top corners3
- UI blinking2
- Windows version worse than mac version2
- Installs to AppData folder (windows)2
- Diff makes tab indentation look like spaces2
- Windows and Mac versions are very different2
- Diff appears as if space indented even if its tabs2
- Doesn't have an option for git init2
- Useless for merge conflict resolution2
- Doesn't differentiate submodules from parent repos2
- Requires bitbucket account2
- Generally hard to like1
- No reflog support1
- Bases binary check on filesize1
- Can't add remotes by right clicking remotes (windows)1
Cons of Tower
- Expensive5
- Subscription based4
- No side by side diff1
- Merge conflict resolution impossible/unclear0
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What is GitKraken?
What is SourceTree?
What is Tower?
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Why do developers choose SourceTree vs GitKraken vs Tower?
- Fans of SourceTree love its visual history and branch view, citing its beautiful UI and easy repository browsing.
- GitKraken users love that it works with Linux and Windows as well as Mac, and call it a full featured client that’s very easy to use.
- Tower fans say it “just works.” They love its simple layout and GitHub integration.
