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SourceTree vs Tower: What are the differences?
Introduction:
This Markdown code provides a comparison between SourceTree and Tower, two popular Git client applications. The key differences are highlighted below.
User Interface: SourceTree has a more cluttered and complex user interface compared to Tower. Tower offers a clean, intuitive, and user-friendly interface with well-organized features, making it easier for users to navigate and manage their Git repositories.
Platform Availability: SourceTree is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. On the other hand, Tower is primarily designed for Mac users, with limited functionality available for Windows users. Therefore, if cross-platform compatibility is a priority, SourceTree is the better option.
Integration: Both SourceTree and Tower integrate with different Git hosting services, but SourceTree provides a wider range of integrations. It seamlessly integrates with popular services like Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab. Tower, on the other hand, offers integrations with select services, making it less versatile in terms of integration options.
Advanced Features: Tower offers a broader range of advanced features compared to SourceTree. These features include cherry-picking, stashing, rebasing, and interactive rebase. SourceTree, although it provides essential Git functionalities, may not have the same level of advanced features and options.
Pricing: SourceTree is free to use for both personal and commercial purposes. Tower, on the other hand, is a paid application with different plans available, including a free trial. This pricing difference can be a crucial factor when considering budget constraints or cost-effectiveness for personal or business needs.
Learning Curve: Tower has a simpler learning curve compared to SourceTree. It provides a more intuitive and guided approach, making it easier for beginners to grasp and navigate the application's features. SourceTree, while comprehensive, may require a bit more time and effort to become proficient with its functionalities.
In Summary, Tower provides a cleaner interface, broader advanced features, and a simpler learning curve for Mac users, while SourceTree has wider platform availability, more integrations, and is entirely free, making it suitable for cross-platform use and budget-conscious users.
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 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 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