Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Git for Windows VS SourceTree

Compare Git for Windows VS SourceTree and see what are their differences

Git for Windows logo Git for Windows

We bring the awesome Git SCM to Windows

SourceTree logo SourceTree

Mac and Windows client for Mercurial and Git.
  • Git for Windows Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02
  • SourceTree Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23

Git for Windows features and specs

  • Familiarity
    Git for Windows offers users familiar with Unix-like environments the ability to use Git in a similar fashion via Git Bash, providing a seamless transition.
  • Integration
    Git for Windows integrates well with IDEs like Visual Studio Code and other development tools, streamlining the development process for Windows users.
  • GUI Options
    The inclusion of tools like Git GUI provides a graphical interface for users who prefer not to use command-line tools, making Git more accessible to beginners.
  • Portable Git
    Git for Windows offers a portable version, which allows users to carry Git on a USB stick and use it on any Windows machine without installation.
  • Performance
    Optimized for Windows, Git for Windows takes advantage of platform-specific enhancements and performs efficiently in Windows environments.

Possible disadvantages of Git for Windows

  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a steep learning curve when first using Git Bash, especially if they are not familiar with Unix-like command-line interfaces.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Git for Windows may use more system resources compared to native Git on Unix-like systems, which can be a concern on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Inconsistent Experience
    There can be minor inconsistencies and differences in behavior between Git for Windows and Git on Unix-like systems, which may cause confusion for users working in mixed environments.
  • Tool Maintenance
    Managing and keeping up-to-date with tools like Git Bash and Git GUI can add additional maintenance overhead for users and administrators.
  • Limited Support
    While Git for Windows is well-supported, some third-party tools and scripts designed for Git on Unix-like systems might not work properly or require adaptation, leading to potential compatibility issues.

SourceTree features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    SourceTree offers an intuitive GUI for Git and Mercurial version control, making it easier for users who may not be comfortable with command-line operations.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Supports various Git functionalities like branching, merging, stash, rebase, and also offers visualizations of repository history and changes.
  • Integration with Bitbucket and GitHub
    Seamlessly integrates with popular repositories like Bitbucket and GitHub, providing enhanced features for working within these platforms.
  • Free to Use
    SourceTree is available for free, making it accessible for individual developers and small teams without any financial investment.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available for both Windows and macOS, providing versatility for users across different operating systems.

Possible disadvantages of SourceTree

  • Performance Issues
    Some users report slow performance, especially with large repositories or when performing complex Git operations.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic operations are straightforward, mastering the more advanced functionalities can be challenging for new users.
  • Occasional Bugs and Stability Issues
    Users have occasionally encountered bugs or crashes, affecting the stability of the application.
  • Lacks Some Advanced Git Features
    Although it covers a broad range of functionalities, some advanced Git features may still require command-line operations.
  • Limited Support and Documentation
    Compared to some other tools, users might find the support and documentation less comprehensive, potentially making problem-solving harder.

Analysis of Git for Windows

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Git for Windows is generally considered a reliable and effective tool for managing Git repositories on Windows operating systems. It is frequently updated, well-documented, and supports the majority of workflows needed by developers using Git.

Why this product is good

  • Git for Windows provides a native set of tools that bring the full feature set of the Git SCM (Source Control Management) to Windows while providing new and appropriate user interfaces. It's particularly beneficial because it includes a BASH emulation for Git command line, which is vital for users accustomed to Unix-like systems, making it easier to follow tutorials and use scripting. Additionally, it handles large repositories and integrates well with Windows' compatibility layers and shell.

Recommended for

  • Windows users who need a robust Git client
  • Developers transitioning from Unix/Linux environments to Windows
  • Users who require an integrated BASH experience on Windows
  • Programmers who manage large repositories and require Git LFS support

Analysis of SourceTree

Overall verdict

  • SourceTree is generally well-regarded, especially for users who benefit from its graphical interface and straightforward setup. It is a valuable tool for developers who want to manage repositories without delving deeply into command-line operations.

Why this product is good

  • SourceTree is considered good by many because it provides a user-friendly interface for managing Git repositories. It simplifies complex Git commands into a visual interface, making them accessible for both beginners and experienced developers. It supports seamless integration with multiple repositories and services like GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab. The ability to visualize branches, commits, and changes makes SourceTree an effective tool for understanding project history and collaboration efforts.

Recommended for

    SourceTree is recommended for software developers and teams who are looking for a free, powerful, and easy-to-use Git client. It is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a visual interface over command-line interactions and for teams that often work with multiple repositories.

Git for Windows videos

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SourceTree videos

SourceTree and Mercurial Version Control

More videos:

  • Review - Getting step up with git, GitBucket and SourceTree - Joomla Beat

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Git for Windows and SourceTree)
Code Collaboration
28 28%
72% 72
Git
22 22%
78% 78
SSH
100 100%
0% 0
Git Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Git for Windows and SourceTree

Git for Windows Reviews

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SourceTree Reviews

Best Git GUI Clients of 2022: All Platforms Included
Sourcetree is a free Git GUI client and can work on both Windows or Mac. This tool is simple to use yet powerful, making it perfect for both beginners and advanced users. The clean and elegant interface makes it effortless and enjoyable to navigate through.
Boost Development Productivity With These 14 Git Clients for Windows and Mac
Sourcetree is a git GUI tool from the house of Atlassian, the IT tech company that also developed Bitbucket and Jira. Compared to other similar tools, Sourcetree offers a more powerful graphical user interface (GUI.)
Source: geekflare.com
Best Git GUI Clients for Windows
You can easily perform all the necessary Git-related tasks, such as cloning repositories (including the remote ones), pushing, pulling, committing, and merging changes. Both experienced users and beginners can work successfully with Sourcetree, tracking all changes, actions, and actors.
Source: blog.devart.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Git for Windows seems to be a lot more popular than SourceTree. While we know about 86 links to Git for Windows, we've tracked only 2 mentions of SourceTree. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Git for Windows mentions (86)

  • How to Set Up Your Git Workspace on a PC
    Download Git Bash. This is a tool developers use to write Git commands on a PC. I use this on my computer. Just go to gitforwindows.org and click the download button to start downloading the file. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Linux as co-operative Windows process
    At work when I work on Windows (currently stuck using Mac for the first time in my career at work), but on Windows I would use https://gitforwindows.org/ which also uses msys2 and that is a very popularly supported free product using msys2 on Windows. If you ever forget the URL, search for "git bash for windows". - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Azure DevOps: Version Control Using Git and VS Code
    Git installed and configured on your machine. For Windows, For Mac. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Streamline Your Smart Contract Development with Foundry
    How to install?? Before going further make sure you have installed GIT BASH because these commands will not work on windows terminal. Before installing foundry we need to install latest version of the rust. To install rust run below command in your bash terminal. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Solving the Worst Problem in Programming Education: Windows
    I use windows, mac and linux basically interchangeably for coding. For windows, I install the Git Bash package [https://gitforwindows.org/] and then just use chocolatey as a package manager for stuff like python and node.js. Bash gives me a completely functional commandline with my C drive mounted as `/c`, and I can write code using VSCode. I don't really have issues. With this setup, it operates indistinguishably... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
View more

SourceTree mentions (2)

  • Git as a Beginner
    I think a gui will be helpful, eg bitbucket sourcetree https://sourcetreeapp.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • WHAT IS SOURCETREE? HOW TO INSTALL IT?
    Now Let's Download Sourcetree: Go to https://sourcetreeapp.com/ then download the installer. - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Git for Windows and SourceTree, you can also consider the following products

Konsole - Konsole is a free terminal emulator which is part of KDE Software Compilation.

GitKraken - The intuitive, fast, and beautiful cross-platform Git client.

xterm - You can download and use MobaXterm Home Edition for free.

GitHub Desktop - GitHub Desktop is a seamless way to contribute to projects on GitHub and GitHub Enterprise.

Xfce-Terminal - Terminal is a modern terminal emulator for the Unix/Linux desktop - primarily for the Xfce desktop...

SmartGit - SmartGit is a front-end for the distributed version control system Git and runs on Windows, Mac OS...