The TortoiseGit alternative that also runs on macOS and Linux

Why developers look for a TortoiseGit alternative

TortoiseGit is an open-source Git client built into Windows Explorer and based on TortoiseSVN. These are the most common reasons people look for something else.

• There is no Mac or Linux version

  TortoiseGit is a Windows Shell interface that needs Windows 10 version 1607 or newer, so teammates on other systems need a second tool.

• Git lives in the context menu

  Its own site says the main interaction is through the context menu of Windows Explorer, with a dialog for each command. If you want the graph, staging and branches side by side in one window, that is a different way of working.

• Pull requests happen in the browser

  TortoiseGit links commits to web-based bug trackers, but no pull request view is listed among its features, so reviews on GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps stay in the browser.

• Setup has several prerequisites

  Its FAQ lists Windows 10 version 1607 or newer, administrator rights to install, the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015–2022 and Git for Windows 2.24 or newer.

• No Arabic interface

  TortoiseGit offers language packs for many languages, but its download page lists none for Arabic as of October 2026.

• No AI drafting

  No AI features, such as drafted commit messages, are listed on TortoiseGit’s official pages as of October 2026.

Why developers choose GitTree

GitTree puts the whole repository in one window and adds the history, recovery and hosting tools around it.

• The same app on every system

  One GitTree for macOS, Windows and Linux: a universal Mac app, a 64-bit Windows installer, and a .deb package or AppImage for Ubuntu and Debian.

• The whole repository in one window

  An interactive commit graph with colour-coded branch lanes, labels, search and filters, beside staging, branches and commit details. It stays smooth past 100,000 commits.

• Stage and merge exactly what you mean

  Stage files, hunks or single lines, and resolve conflicts in a three-way editor with per-hunk and per-line choices, after a warning before a merge would conflict.

• Undo for the risky operations

  Undo and redo from the toolbar reverse commits, checkouts, resets, rebases, discards and branch or tag deletes, and risky steps are snapshotted first so they stay recoverable.

• Pull requests and CI/CD with Pro

  With GitTree Pro, list, create, review, comment on and merge pull requests on GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket and Azure DevOps, and follow CI/CD runs, without leaving the app.

• English and Arabic

  The whole app is available in English and Arabic, with a full right-to-left layout.

GitTree vs TortoiseGit: feature comparison

Both run real Git underneath and work on the same repositories. They differ most in where you use them, which systems they run on, their licence and hosting integration. Products change, so the official sources are linked at the bottom of the page.

• Included
• Partly, or with limits
• Needs a paid plan
• Not available

This table compares the current public products, not every setting. TortoiseGit facts come from tortoisegit.org as checked on the date above. GitTree is in active development; check its features page and release notes before moving a critical workflow.

TortoiseGit price vs GitTree

Both are free for Git work. TortoiseGit is open source under the GPL; GitTree’s Free plan covers every Git feature, and GitTree Pro adds the hosting integrations, AI drafting and Nour, the AI assistant.

TortoiseGit’s licence terms are as stated on tortoisegit.org in October 2026. GitTree’s Free plan needs no credit card; the Pricing page compares Free and Pro.

A TortoiseGit alternative for Mac, Windows and Linux

The same GitTree on macOS, Windows and Linux, running the Git 2.39 or newer that you already have installed.

• TortoiseGit alternative for Mac

  One universal app that runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 13 Ventura or later, signed and notarized by Apple.

• TortoiseGit alternative for Windows

  A 64-bit installer for Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11. Keep using Git for Windows: GitTree runs it instead of bundling its own Git.

• TortoiseGit alternative for Linux

  A .deb package or a portable AppImage for 64-bit Ubuntu 22.04+ and Debian 12+. On Ubuntu 22.04 and Linux Mint 21, add the git-core PPA for a newer Git first.

  Read the Linux install guide

Which one should you choose?

Both are good tools. Pick the one that matches how you work, then try it on a noncritical repository before you move daily work.

How to switch from TortoiseGit to GitTree

Nothing has to be exported. Your repositories are standard Git, so TortoiseGit can stay installed while you try GitTree on the same folders.

1. 1

   Check your Git version

   TortoiseGit already uses Git for Windows. GitTree runs the same Git, version 2.39 or newer: run git --version, and update Git for Windows if it is older.

2. 2

   Download GitTree

   Get the installer for macOS, Windows or Linux from the download page and install it.

3. 3

   Sign in

   Sign in with a GitTree account, created on this website with your email or with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps. The Free plan covers every Git feature; start a Pro trial when you want the hosting integrations or Nour.

4. 4

   Open the repositories you already have

   Choose Open and select a repository folder, or scan a folder for repositories. Branches, remotes, stashes and history live in the repository itself, so there is nothing to import.

5. 5

   Connect your hosting accounts

   With GitTree Pro, connect GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps in Preferences to work with pull requests and CI/CD. Every other remote keeps working over HTTPS or SSH.

6. 6

   Try it side by side

   Make a staged commit, resolve a test conflict and try an undo on a test branch. TortoiseGit’s Explorer menu keeps working on the same repositories while you decide.