GitButler vs Sourcetree
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
GitButler is a desktop Git client, created by GitHub co-founder Scott Chacon, built around a concept called virtual branches. Instead of switching branches to work on separate changes, developers can keep several isolated in-progress branches active in the same working directory and commit to each independently before pushing. The app adds drag-and-drop commit editing, non-destructive undo and amend, and a companion command-line tool called 'but' for scripting virtual-branch workflows. GitButler's core desktop features are free and open source, with an optional GitButler Cloud subscription adding team collaboration features.
Sourcetree is a free desktop Git client for Mac and Windows from Atlassian, built to simplify Git and Mercurial version control through a visual interface instead of the command line. It visualizes branches and commits, lets developers stage or discard changes by file, hunk, or line, and includes a remote repository manager for finding and cloning repos. Beyond core commit workflows, Sourcetree supports Git-flow branching, Git Large File Storage (LFS), submodule management, and an interactive rebase tool for cleaning up commit history. It integrates with Bitbucket for account-based repository access and ships in actively updated Mac (4.2.19) and Windows (3.4.31) builds, backed by Atlassian documentation and support.
- Virtual branches solve a real pain point of juggling multiple in-progress changes
- Core client is free and open source
- Built by an experienced Git tooling creator (GitHub co-founder)
- Works with any existing Git remote, no special hosting required
- Completely free with no paid tier
- Handles both Git and Mercurial repos
- Visual branching makes complex history easier to follow
- Actively maintained by Atlassian with regular version updates
- Virtual branches are a different mental model that takes time to learn
- Smaller community and ecosystem than established clients like Sourcetree or GitKraken
- Team collaboration features require the paid Pro/Cloud tier
- No official Linux build
- Some advanced Git operations still require dropping to command line
- Interface can feel dense for complete beginners to Git
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to GitButler
View all →A free Git and Mercurial client that gives developers a visual way to manage repositories, branches, and commits.
Alternatives to Sourcetree
View all →
A free graphical Git client for managing GitHub repositories without the command line.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGitButler offers a free, open‑source client with unique virtual‑branch workflow, while Sourcetree is a completely free, mature GUI supporting both Git and Mercurial.
Key differences
- •Virtual branches vs traditional branching model
- •GitButler is open‑source; Sourcetree is closed‑source
- •Sourcetree supports Mercurial and Git LFS; GitButler only Git
- •Sourcetree has no Linux build; GitButler’s platform not specified
- •Collaboration features require paid tier in GitButler; Sourcetree has none but is free
Pricing & value
GitButler uses a freemium model with core client free; paid tier needed for team collaboration, whereas Sourcetree is fully free.
Ease of use / learning curve
Sourcetree offers familiar visual Git/Mercurial UI; GitButler’s virtual‑branch concept requires learning a new mental model.
Features & depth
Sourcetree includes LFS, Mercurial support, interactive rebase, submodule handling; GitButler focuses on virtual branches and AI suggestions.
Integrations & ecosystem
GitButler integrates with GitHub and GitLab; Sourcetree lists only Bitbucket integration.
Collaboration
Sourcetree has no paid tier and no built‑in collaboration features; GitButler offers team features in its paid Pro/Cloud tier.
Support
Sourcetree benefits from Atlassian support and blog; GitButler provides documentation and GitHub Issues only.
Security & privacy
GitButler is open source, allowing code review; Sourcetree is closed source.
Choose GitButler if…
Developers who need virtual branches for juggling many in‑progress changes and prefer open‑source tooling.
Choose Sourcetree if…
Teams needing a free, mature visual client for Git and Mercurial without paid add‑ons.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use the core features of each tool?
GitButler’s core desktop client is free (open source); advanced collaboration requires paid tier. Sourcetree is completely free.
Can I use these tools on Linux?
Sourcetree does not have an official Linux build. GitButler’s Linux availability is not specified in the facts.
Do both tools support Mercurial repositories?
Only Sourcetree supports Mercurial; GitButler works solely with Git repositories.