# GitKraken vs Atlassian SourceTree Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 GitKraken and Atlassian SourceTree are both git clients on a Mac, so the pick depends on workflow. Pay for GitKraken when visual Git and AI time savings matter across several repos. Stay on free Sourcetree when seat cost must be zero or Mercurial is still in. As of October 2026, both install with brew install --cask gitkraken and brew install --cask sourcetree. GitKraken is the more ambitious, AI-enhanced Git GUI. Sourcetree is the free workhorse that keeps shipping updates. Product capability favours GitKraken, cost favours Sourcetree, so the winner depends on budget and private-repo needs rather than a universal ranking. Re-check GitKraken promotions each renewal, since pricing moves. For enterprise fleets, prefer notarized vendor builds or Mac App Store editions and keep a rollback plan when you automate rollout. On Apple Silicon both are suitable for Tahoe 26.x with normal client updates. ## Head to head | Factor | GitKraken | Atlassian SourceTree | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | Free | Free | | Open Source | No | No | | Replaces | Tower ($69/year) | Tower ($69/year) | | Best for | git, version control, repository | git, version control, repository | | Install | brew install --cask gitkraken | brew install --cask sourcetree | | Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools | ## GitKraken Git client focusing on productivity Install: `brew install --cask gitkraken` [GitKraken on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/gitkraken) ## Atlassian SourceTree Graphical client for Git version control Install: `brew install --cask sourcetree` [Atlassian SourceTree on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/sourcetree) ## Features - **Pricing and licence freedom.** Sourcetree wins if cost is the primary filter. - **Commit graph and visual Git.** GitKraken remains the visual Git leader. - **AI and agent assistance.** AI is a GitKraken-only story in this pair. - **Host integrations.** GitKraken covers more modern multi-host workflows. - **Mercurial support.** Need Hg? Sourcetree. - **Performance on Apple Silicon.** Both are fine on M-series; neither matches the lightest native clients, but daily Git feels smooth on either. - **Team and enterprise controls.** Regulated teams pay GitKraken for control planes. - **Learning curve.** Both are learnable; GitKraken feels more modern. ## FAQ ### Is Sourcetree still free in 2026? Yes. Atlassian still distributes Sourcetree free for Mac and Windows, including commercial use. Confirm the latest build on sourcetreeapp.com. The download remains on sourcetreeapp.com and the Atlassian page, with 4.2.19 the latest Mac build as of 30 July 2026. ### Is GitKraken free for private repositories? Not on Community. Private remotes require a paid plan such as Pro. Community covers local repos and public remotes. If private work is daily, treat Community as a trial for the graph and budget Pro so you are not blocked mid-push. ### Which is better for beginners? GitKraken's graph and undo tools are friendlier, but the free path for private work is Sourcetree. Many beginners start free then pay if they love the graph. Many beginners start free on Sourcetree, then pay for GitKraken if they find the graph worth it. ### Does GitKraken replace GitLens? Paid GitKraken plans include GitLens Pro capabilities as part of the DevEx platform. Community GitLens remains available separately with limits. For IDE work you still install GitLens separately. The platform plan just unlocks Pro capabilities inside it. ### Does Sourcetree support Apple Silicon? Yes, current Mac builds run on Apple Silicon. Keep the app updated to the latest 4.2.x line for Tahoe compatibility fixes. Performance on M-series is acceptable for typical monorepos, though very large repos stress any GUI. ### Can I use both? Yes. They operate on the same working copies. Avoid running concurrent GUI operations on one repo to prevent index contention. That hybrid is common while you evaluate. Just avoid concurrent GUI writes on one repo. ### What about GitHub Desktop? GitHub Desktop is another free option that focuses on GitHub. It is not part of this comparison, but it is often shortlisted when cost is the main filter and GitHub is the host. ### Does Sourcetree include AI commit messages? No first-party AI suite comparable to GitKraken. Teams usually pair Sourcetree with an IDE AI for commit help. ### How many seats does GitKraken Pro allow? Pro is positioned up to 2 seats; Advanced higher (up to 10); Business up to 100; Enterprise custom. Verify on the live pricing page. Confirm on the live pricing page at gitkraken.com slash pricing, since seat packaging changes. ### Is Sourcetree abandoned? No. Mac releases continued through 2026 (4.2.19 in July). It is quieter than GitKraken's platform push but not discontinued. It is quieter than GitKraken's platform push, but Mac releases through July 2026 show ongoing maintenance. ## Sources - [GitKraken Plans & Pricing](https://www.gitkraken.com/pricing) - [GitKraken New List Prices 2026](https://www.schneider.im/gitkraken-new-list-prices-for-new-sales-and-renewals/) - [Sourcetree product page](https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/) - [Sourcetree on Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com/software/sourcetree) - [Sourcetree download archives](https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/download-archives) - [GitKraken Trials](https://help.gitkraken.com/gk-dev/gk-dev-trials/) - [GitKraken AI features](https://www.gitkraken.com/features/git-ai) ## Related - [GitKraken vs Fork](https://bundl.run/compare/gitkraken-vs-fork) - [Fork vs Atlassian SourceTree](https://bundl.run/compare/fork-vs-sourcetree) - [GitHub Desktop vs Atlassian SourceTree](https://bundl.run/compare/github-desktop-vs-sourcetree) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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