GitKraken vs Sourcetree vs Fork: Best Git GUI Client for Windows and Mac Compared

Command-line Git is powerful, but it isn’t for everyone. A well-designed graphical client can turn a messy merge conflict into a few clicks, make branch history readable at a glance, and lower the barrier for designers, writers, and junior developers who need to commit code without memorizing flags.

Three names come up constantly in this space: GitKraken, Sourcetree, and Fork. All three run on Windows and macOS. All three wrap Git in a visual interface. But they differ sharply in pricing, performance, and philosophy. Here’s how they compare in 2024.

The Contenders at a Glance

Feature	GitKraken	Sourcetree	Fork
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Pricing	Free tier; Pro from ~$4–5/user/mo	Free	Free trial; ~$49.99 one-time license
Git hosting integration	GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps	Bitbucket, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps	GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps
Built-in merge conflict editor	Yes	Limited	Yes
Built-in Git LFS support	Yes	Yes	Yes
License model	Subscription	Free (Atlassian)	One-time purchase

GitKraken: The Polished All-Rounder

GitKraken, developed by Axosoft (now GitKraken), launched in 2016 and quickly became the most visually distinctive Git client on the market. Its commit graph is genuinely beautiful—color-coded branch lines, drag-and-drop rebasing, and a “merge conflict editor” that lets you resolve conflicts without leaving the app.

What works well:

• The commit graph is the best in class. You can drag a branch onto another to trigger a rebase or merge, which is far more intuitive than typing commands.
• Built-in merge tool and diff viewer reduce context switching.
• Cross-platform consistency: the Windows and macOS versions feel nearly identical, and there’s a Linux build too.
• Workspaces and profiles help developers juggle multiple repos and identities (work vs. personal).

Where it falls short:

• The free tier is limited. You can use GitKraken for public repos and local work, but private repos require a paid plan. Pro pricing has moved around over the years and is billed per user, per month—costly for teams.
• It’s an Electron app, so it can feel heavier than native clients, especially on older machines.
• Some users report the interface has become busier over time as features like the GitKraken CLI and issue tracking were layered in.

GitKraken is a strong pick if you value polish and don’t mind paying for it.

Sourcetree: The Free Veteran

Sourcetree is Atlassian’s free Git client, first released in 2010 (originally as a Mac-only app before Windows support arrived). Because it’s free and backed by Atlassian, it’s often the default recommendation for developers who want a GUI without a subscription.

What works well:

• Completely free, including for commercial use. No private-repo paywall.
• Deep Bitbucket and Jira integration, which makes sense given Atlassian owns all three.
• Git-flow support is built in, which is handy for teams using that branching model.
• Git LFS and submodule support are included.

Where it falls short:

• Performance has degraded over the years. Users frequently complain about slow startup, laggy UI, and occasional crashes, particularly on Windows.
• Requires an Atlassian account to install, even if you never touch Bitbucket. That’s a friction point for some.
• Merge conflict resolution is weaker than GitKraken or Fork; you’ll often end up in an external tool.
• Development has slowed. Atlassian still ships updates, but the pace is far behind competitors, and the app feels increasingly dated.

Sourcetree remains a solid free option, but it’s no longer the obvious choice it once was.

Fork: The Lean, Fast Favorite

Fork is a relative newcomer from developer Dan Pristupov, and it has built a devoted following for one main reason: speed. It’s a native app, not Electron, and it launches and responds noticeably faster than GitKraken or Sourcetree on the same hardware.

What works well:

• Fast and lightweight. The UI feels snappy even with large repositories.
• Excellent merge conflict editor with a three-pane view that rivals dedicated tools.
• One-time purchase (~$49.99) instead of a subscription. A free trial is available, and the free version continues to work with a nag screen.
• Clean, focused interface that doesn’t bury core Git operations under layers of menus.
• Interactive rebase, blame, and file history are all well-implemented.

Where it falls short:

• No Linux version, unlike GitKraken.
• Smaller team and community than Atlassian or GitKraken, so feature development depends on a smaller group.
• No built-in issue tracker integration comparable to GitKraken’s or Sourcetree’s Jira hooks.
• The free version has limitations (a reminder dialog), so heavy users are nudged toward the paid license.

For developers who want a fast, no-nonsense client and prefer paying once over subscribing, Fork is hard to beat.

Performance and Resource Usage

This is where the three diverge most. Electron-based apps (GitKraken and Sourcetree) tend to consume more RAM and CPU. Fork, being native, generally uses less memory and starts faster. If you work on a laptop with limited RAM or frequently switch between many repositories, Fork’s efficiency is a real advantage. That said, GitKraken has improved its performance over time, and Sourcetree’s issues are more about age than architecture alone.

Pricing Compared

• GitKraken: Free for public repos and local use; Pro is a per-user subscription. Teams pay monthly, which adds up.
• Sourcetree: Free, no strings attached beyond the Atlassian account requirement.
• Fork: Free trial, then a one-time license fee. No recurring cost.

For a solo developer, Fork’s one-time fee often wins on total cost of ownership. For a team already deep in the Atlassian ecosystem, Sourcetree’s free price is attractive. For teams that want the most polished experience and are willing to pay monthly, GitKraken makes sense.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose GitKraken if you want the most feature-rich, visually polished client and don’t mind a subscription. It’s especially good for teams juggling multiple hosting providers.
• Choose Sourcetree if you want a free client and work heavily with Bitbucket or Jira. Just be prepared for occasional sluggishness.
• Choose Fork if speed, a clean interface, and a one-time payment matter most to you.

There’s no single “best” answer—it depends on your budget, your hosting platform, and how much you value performance versus features. Many developers try two or three before settling on one.

The Takeaway

GitKraken, Sourcetree, and Fork each solve the same problem in different ways. GitKraken offers the richest experience at a recurring cost. Sourcetree is the free, Atlassian-friendly veteran that’s showing its age. Fork is the fast, affordable upstart with a loyal following. If you’re unsure, download all three—each has a free tier or trial—and spend a week with your actual repositories. The right client is the one that gets out of your way and lets you focus on the code.