Comparison · Git clients
GitUI vs Sourcetree: which is better in 2026?
GitUI ranks higher in our list of git clients (#4 against #6, score 87.0 against 84.0).
- 87.0Editorial score84.0
- 4Platforms2
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose GitUI if you want
Fast Git work in a terminal window.
MIT-licensed terminal UI for Git, written in Rust, with a graphical-style workflow in a terminal. It is free and fast, and it ranks just below lazygit here, with a speed benchmark the author published.
Choose Sourcetree if you want
Windows and Mac teams on Atlassian tools.
A free visual client for Windows and Mac with branch diagrams and Mercurial support. It has no Linux version, and its best fit is teams that already use Atlassian tools.
The main differences
- Only GitUI runs on Linux.
- GitUI is open source; Sourcetree is not.
Side by side
 GitUI |  Sourcetree | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 87.0 | 84.0 |
| Rank in list | #4 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceMIT-licensed and free to install | FreeFree download for Windows and Mac; Windows Enterprise for managed deployments |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineWindows, macOS, Linux, Command line | WindowsmacOSWindows, macOS |
| Made by | GitUI project | Atlassian |
| Interface | Terminal UI | Graphical |
| Linux support | Yes | No |
| Best for | Fast Git work in a terminal window | Windows and Mac teams on Atlassian tools |
| Strengths |
|
|
| Limits |
|
|
| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about GitUI vs Sourcetree
- Is GitUI better than Sourcetree?
- GitUI ranks higher in our list of git clients (#4 against #6, score 87.0 against 84.0). GitUI is best for: fast Git work in a terminal window. Sourcetree is best for: Windows and Mac teams on Atlassian tools.
- Which is cheaper, GitUI or Sourcetree?
- GitUI: MIT-licensed and free to install. Sourcetree: Free download for Windows and Mac; Windows Enterprise for managed deployments.
- Do GitUI and Sourcetree run on the same platforms?
- GitUI supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line. Sourcetree supports Windows, macOS.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
