SourceTree

What is SourceTree?

SourceTree is a free Git and Mercurial desktop client developed by Atlassian, the company behind popular development tools like Jira, Bitbucket, and Confluence. Since its acquisition by Atlassian in 2012, SourceTree has become one of the most widely-used Git GUI applications, particularly popular among teams already using Atlassian products. The application provides a visual interface for version control operations that simplifies complex Git workflows while remaining powerful enough for advanced users.

What makes SourceTree particularly appealing is its balance of simplicity and power combined with its zero cost. Unlike many Git clients that offer limited free tiers, SourceTree provides full functionality without any licensing fees. The application includes advanced features like interactive rebase, Git-flow support, and submodule management that many paid alternatives charge for. Its deep integration with Bitbucket makes it especially attractive for teams using Atlassian ecosystem.

SourceTree targets developers who want a visual approach to Git without sacrificing access to advanced features. The application provides a clear view of repository history, easy branch management, and an integrated diff viewer that makes reviewing changes straightforward. Available for Windows and macOS, SourceTree has built a loyal user base among developers who appreciate professional-grade tooling at no cost, particularly those working in enterprise environments using Atlassian products.

Key Features

• Visual Commit History: Graphical branch visualization shows the complete history of commits, merges, and branches in an easy-to-understand format.
• Git-flow Support: Built-in Git-flow integration with dedicated buttons for starting and finishing features, releases, and hotfixes.
• Interactive Rebase: Visual interface for reordering, squashing, editing, and dropping commits during interactive rebase operations.
• Submodule Support: Full support for Git submodules with visual management of nested repositories.
• Local Commit Search: Search through commit messages, authors, and file changes to quickly find specific changes.
• Stash Management: Easy stashing and unstashing of changes with visual stash list and diff viewing.
• Remote Repository Management: Manage multiple remotes with easy fetching, pulling, and pushing to different sources.
• External Diff and Merge Tools: Configure external applications for diff viewing and merge conflict resolution.
• Git LFS Support: Full support for Git Large File Storage for repositories with large binary assets.
• Mercurial Support: In addition to Git, SourceTree also supports Mercurial version control system.

Recent Updates and Improvements

Atlassian continues to maintain and improve SourceTree with updates focused on stability, Git feature support, and user experience enhancements.

• Apple Silicon Support: Native support for Apple M1, M2, and M3 processors on macOS for improved performance.
• Updated Git Version: Bundled Git updated to latest stable version with newest features and security patches.
• Performance Improvements: Faster repository loading and branch switching, especially for large repositories.
• Improved Merge Tool: Enhanced built-in merge conflict resolution with better visual indicators.
• Dark Mode: System-integrated dark mode support following operating system preferences.
• Authentication Updates: Improved OAuth support for GitHub, GitLab, and Azure DevOps integration.
• Stability Fixes: Ongoing bug fixes and stability improvements based on user feedback.
• SSH Key Management: Simplified SSH key generation and management for remote repository access.

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• Processor: Any modern processor
• RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
• Storage: 250 MB for installation
• Atlassian account required for installation

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.15 or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (native support)
• RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
• Storage: 250 MB available space
• Atlassian account required

Linux

• Note: SourceTree is not available for Linux
• Linux users should consider alternatives like GitKraken or SmartGit

How to Install SourceTree

Windows Installation

1. Visit sourcetreeapp.com and click Download for Windows
2. Run the downloaded installer
3. Create or sign in to Atlassian account when prompted
4. Choose to install embedded Git or use system Git
5. Complete setup and clone your first repository

# Using Windows Package Manager
winget install Atlassian.Sourcetree

# Using Chocolatey
choco install sourcetree

# Launch
SourceTree

macOS Installation

1. Download DMG from sourcetreeapp.com
2. Open the DMG file
3. Drag SourceTree to Applications folder
4. Launch and sign in to Atlassian account
5. Configure Git settings and add repositories

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask sourcetree

# Launch
open -a SourceTree

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely Free: Full-featured Git client with no licensing costs, paid tiers, or feature restrictions.
• Git-flow Integration: Built-in Git-flow support makes following branching workflows straightforward.
• Atlassian Integration: Seamless integration with Bitbucket makes it ideal for teams using Atlassian products.
• Advanced Features: Interactive rebase, submodules, and Git LFS support typically found in paid applications.
• Clear Visual History: Well-designed commit graph helps understand complex repository histories.
• Mercurial Support: One of few GUI clients supporting both Git and Mercurial version control.
• Embedded Git: Can install and manage its own Git installation for simplified setup.

Cons

• No Linux Support: Only available for Windows and macOS, excluding Linux developers.
• Account Required: Requires free Atlassian account even though the software is free.
• Performance Issues: Can become slow with very large repositories or many branches.
• Occasional Bugs: Some users report stability issues and occasional crashes.
• Interface Complexity: UI can feel cluttered compared to more focused alternatives.

SourceTree vs Alternatives

Who Should Use SourceTree?

SourceTree is ideal for:

• Atlassian Users: Teams using Bitbucket, Jira, or other Atlassian products benefit from seamless integration.
• Git-flow Practitioners: Developers following Git-flow branching model appreciate the built-in support and visual workflow.
• Budget-Conscious Developers: Those wanting advanced Git features without any licensing costs.
• Mercurial Users: The rare GUI client that still supports Mercurial alongside Git.
• Windows and Mac Users: Developers on supported platforms who want a capable free Git client.
• Enterprise Teams: Organizations that want standardized, free tooling across development teams.

SourceTree may not be ideal for:

• Linux Developers: SourceTree is not available for Linux; consider GitKraken or SmartGit instead.
• Performance-Critical Users: Those with very large repositories may experience slowdowns.
• Privacy-Focused Users: Requiring an Atlassian account may concern some users.
• Minimalist Tool Seekers: Those preferring simpler, more focused interfaces may find SourceTree cluttered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SourceTree really free?

Yes, SourceTree is completely free with no hidden costs, premium tiers, or feature restrictions. All features including Git-flow, interactive rebase, and submodule support are available to all users. The only requirement is a free Atlassian account. Atlassian provides SourceTree free as part of their developer ecosystem, encouraging adoption of their other products.

Why does SourceTree require an Atlassian account?

Atlassian requires account registration to track usage, provide support, and integrate with their other services. The account is free and does not commit you to using other Atlassian products. During installation, you can sign up with just an email address. Some users install using package managers to simplify the process.

Does SourceTree work with GitHub and GitLab?

Yes, SourceTree works with any Git hosting service including GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, and self-hosted Git servers. While it has deeper integration with Bitbucket (also owned by Atlassian), it fully supports cloning, pushing, and pulling from any Git remote. OAuth authentication is available for major hosting platforms.

How does SourceTree compare to GitHub Desktop?

SourceTree offers more advanced features than GitHub Desktop, including Git-flow support, interactive rebase, and Mercurial support. GitHub Desktop is simpler and more focused on GitHub-specific workflows. SourceTree works well with any Git host, while GitHub Desktop is optimized specifically for GitHub. Choose based on your hosting platform and feature requirements.

Can SourceTree handle large repositories?

SourceTree can work with large repositories but may experience performance issues with very large codebases or repositories with extensive history. For optimal performance, consider using Git LFS for large files, shallow clones for huge histories, and periodically cleaning up stale branches. Some users report that alternatives like Fork or Sublime Merge handle large repositories better.

Final Verdict

SourceTree stands out in the Git client landscape by offering professional-grade features at no cost. For developers seeking a capable, feature-rich Git GUI without opening their wallets, SourceTree delivers impressive value. The built-in Git-flow support, interactive rebase, and submodule management rival features found in paid alternatives.

The application particularly shines for teams invested in the Atlassian ecosystem. The seamless Bitbucket integration and familiar Atlassian design language make it a natural choice for organizations using Jira and Confluence. For enterprises looking to standardize on a Git client without per-seat licensing costs, SourceTree presents a compelling option.

However, SourceTree is not without limitations. The lack of Linux support excludes a significant developer demographic. Performance concerns with large repositories and occasional stability issues may frustrate some users. The required Atlassian account, while free, adds friction to the installation process. Despite these drawbacks, SourceTree remains a solid choice for Windows and Mac developers who want advanced Git features without financial investment, particularly those already working within the Atlassian ecosystem.