The free Tower alternative, with no subscription and a Linux version

Why developers look for a Tower alternative

Tower is a mature, native Git client that has been around since 2010. These are the reasons people most often give for trying something else.

• There is no free plan

  Tower’s pricing page answers the question “Why isn’t there a free plan?” directly: you get a 30-day trial of the Pro edition, then you need a subscription. Free licences are offered only to students, teachers, educational institutions and non-profits, on application.

• A yearly subscription for every seat

  As of October 2026, Tower costs US$69 (Basic), US$129 (Pro) or US$149 (Enterprise) per user per year, billed annually. There is no perpetual licence: according to its licence agreement, access ends when the paid-up period ends.

• No Linux version

  Tower’s official pages offer it for macOS and Windows only, with no Linux build. Developers on Ubuntu, Debian or Linux Mint, and teams that mix operating systems, need a different client.

• Self-hosted servers need Pro

  The Basic plan connects to GitHub.com, GitLab.com, Bitbucket.org and Azure DevOps. GitHub Enterprise, Bitbucket Server, self-managed GitLab and Azure DevOps Server need the Pro plan.

• Line-level conflicts go to another app

  Tower’s Conflict Wizard resolves a whole file by declaring one version correct. To combine both sides line by line, it opens an external merge tool that you configure, such as Araxis Merge or Beyond Compare.

• AI commits on one platform, no docked terminal

  Tower’s AI Commits write commit messages through your Claude Code or Codex CLI on macOS only, according to its product overview. No embedded terminal is documented: Open in Terminal launches a separate terminal app.

Why developers choose GitTree

GitTree covers the Git work you do every day, makes the risky parts safer and keeps the whole app free today.

• Free today, at home and at work

  Every feature, private repositories and commercial use included, for individuals and organizations. No trial that runs out, no licence key and no credit card.

• One client on every desktop

  GitTree runs on macOS, Windows and Linux: one universal app for Apple silicon and Intel, a 64-bit Windows installer, and a .deb or AppImage for Ubuntu 22.04+ and Debian 12+.

• Resolve conflicts line by line, in the app

  A full-window three-way editor (current, incoming, output) with per-hunk and per-line choices, rerere, and a warning before a merge when branches would conflict.

• A terminal under the graph

  Your own shell docked inside the window, beside a command palette of about 300 commands and keyboard shortcuts you can rebind.

• AI drafts on every platform

  Draft commit messages and pull request titles and descriptions with your own Claude Code, Codex or Antigravity CLI, on macOS, Windows and Linux, only when you click Generate. No AI credits, and GitTree stores no AI key.

• Private by design, in English or Arabic

  No telemetry, analytics or crash upload, and tokens stay in the system keychain. The whole interface is available in English and in Arabic with a full right-to-left layout.

GitTree vs Tower: feature comparison

Both are desktop Git clients with a commit graph, line staging, interactive rebase and undo. They differ most in price, platforms, conflict handling and team features. Products change, so the official sources are linked below the page.

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

This table compares the current public products, not every setting. Tower’s prices and features come from its official pages as of October 2026; “not documented” means we found no mention of it there. GitTree is in active development; check its features page before moving a critical workflow.

Tower pricing vs GitTree

The practical difference: GitTree has no subscription today, for personal or business use.

Prices as listed on Tower’s pricing page in October 2026, per user and billed annually; they change over time, so check the official page before you buy. Tower offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 10% discount from 10 Pro seats, and access ends when a subscription lapses.

A Tower 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. Because Tower has no Linux build, GitTree is also an option for mixed teams.

• Tower 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. Current Tower versions need macOS 14.

• Tower alternative for Windows

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

• Tower alternative for Linux

  Tower has no Linux build. GitTree offers 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 capable tools. Pick the one that matches how you and your team work, then try it on a noncritical repository before you move daily work.

How to switch from Tower to GitTree

Switching takes about ten minutes. Your repositories are standard Git, so both apps can open them side by side while you decide, even during a Tower trial.

1. 1

   Check your Git version

   Tower bundles its own Git; GitTree uses the Git already on your computer. Run git --version in a terminal; if Git is missing or older than 2.39, install a current version first (Git for Windows on Windows).

2. 2

   Download GitTree

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

3. 3

   Sign in with a free account

   Create a free GitTree account on this website with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps, then sign in from the app.

4. 4

   Open the repositories you already have

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

5. 5

   Connect your hosting accounts

   Optionally connect GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps in Preferences to work with pull requests and CI checks, self-hosted servers included. Every other remote keeps working over HTTPS or SSH.

6. 6

   Bring over your setup and try it

   Set your signing key, external merge tool, theme, shortcuts and profiles in Preferences, then try a staged commit, an interactive rebase, a conflict and an undo on a test branch.