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SourceTree

10.4K
7.9K
+ 1
727
Tower

208
359
+ 1
80
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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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Decisions about SourceTree and Tower

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.

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Pros of SourceTree
Pros of Tower
  • 205
    Visual history and branch view
  • 164
    Beautiful UI
  • 134
    Easy repository browsing
  • 87
    Gitflow support
  • 75
    Interactive stage or discard by hunks or lines
  • 22
    Great branch visualization
  • 18
    Ui/ux and user-friendliness
  • 8
    Best Git Client UI/Features
  • 7
    Search commit messages
  • 5
    Available for Windows and macOS
  • 1
    Log only one file
  • 1
    Search file content
  • 19
    Git
  • 16
    Just works
  • 10
    Version control
  • 6
    Awesome
  • 6
    Simple layout
  • 4
    Multiple windows
  • 3
    Automatic repo discovery
  • 3
    Multiple tabs
  • 2
    Submodule support
  • 2
    Github integration
  • 2
    Full featured client
  • 2
    Uses standard git terminology and methods
  • 2
    Gitflow support
  • 2
    Interactive stage or discard by hunks or lines
  • 1
    SAS

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Cons of SourceTree
Cons of Tower
  • 12
    Crashes often
  • 8
    So many bugs
  • 7
    Fetching is slow sometimes
  • 5
    No dark theme (Windows)
  • 5
    Extremely slow
  • 5
    Very unstable
  • 4
    Can't select text in diff (windows)
  • 3
    Freezes quite frequently
  • 3
    Can't scale window from top corners
  • 2
    UI blinking
  • 2
    Windows version worse than mac version
  • 2
    Installs to AppData folder (windows)
  • 2
    Diff makes tab indentation look like spaces
  • 2
    Windows and Mac versions are very different
  • 2
    Diff appears as if space indented even if its tabs
  • 2
    Doesn't have an option for git init
  • 2
    Useless for merge conflict resolution
  • 2
    Doesn't differentiate submodules from parent repos
  • 2
    Requires bitbucket account
  • 1
    Generally hard to like
  • 1
    No reflog support
  • 1
    Bases binary check on filesize
  • 1
    Can't add remotes by right clicking remotes (windows)
  • 5
    Expensive
  • 4
    Subscription based
  • 1
    No side by side diff
  • 0
    Merge conflict resolution impossible/unclear

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What is SourceTree?

Use the full capability of Git and Mercurial in the SourceTree desktop app. Manage all your repositories, hosted or local, through SourceTree's simple interface.

What is Tower?

Use all of Git's powerful feature set - in a GUI that makes you more productive.

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What companies use SourceTree?
What companies use Tower?
See which teams inside your own company are using SourceTree or Tower.
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What tools integrate with SourceTree?
What tools integrate with Tower?

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What are some alternatives to SourceTree and Tower?
GitKraken
The downright luxurious Git client for Windows, Mac and Linux. Cross-platform, 100% standalone, and free.
Bitbucket
Bitbucket gives teams one place to plan projects, collaborate on code, test and deploy, all with free private Git repositories. Teams choose Bitbucket because it has a superior Jira integration, built-in CI/CD, & is free for up to 5 users.
GitHub
GitHub is the best place to share code with friends, co-workers, classmates, and complete strangers. Over three million people use GitHub to build amazing things together.
Fork
Manage your repositories without leaving the application. Organize the repositores into categories. Fork's Diff Viewer provides a clear view to spot the changes in your source code quickly.
Git
Git is a free and open source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.
See all alternatives