GitHub vs Sourcetree: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub and Sourcetree comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
GitHub
Code hosting platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need version control features specifically
- • World's largest code hosting platform with 100M+ developers
- • Free unlimited public/private repos, 500MB packages, 2000 CI minutes
Sourcetree
Free Git GUI client
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Free Git GUI client from Atlassian for Mac and Windows
- • Visual interface for Git and Mercurial without command line
| At a Glance |  GitHub |  Sourcetree |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Version Control | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 92/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | GitHub | Sourcetree |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 92 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Version ControlProject Tracking | IDE & Code EditorsVersion Control |
How GitHub and Sourcetree Compare
GitHub
Code hosting platform
Free tier available · 92/100 score
Sourcetree
Free Git GUI client
Free · 80/100 score
GitHub is a version control tool. Sourcetree is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Sourcetree is free. GitHub is freemium.
Go with: Sourcetree
Want the highest-rated option?
GitHub: 92/100. Sourcetree: 80/100.
Go with: GitHub
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitHub
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
GitHub is freemium. Sourcetree is free. Go with Sourcetree if free matters most.
What's your use case?
GitHub is a version control tool. Sourcetree is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
GitHub scores higher: 92/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
GitHub
- Higher score: 92/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Sourcetree
- Completely free
- Better fit for ide & code editors
The Bottom Line
GitHub (92/100) is our pick. That said, Sourcetree is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub or Sourcetree better?
GitHub scores 92/100 in our evaluation. GitHub is freemium and Sourcetree is free.
What are GitHub and Sourcetree used for?
GitHub: Code hosting platform. Sourcetree: Free Git GUI client.
What does GitHub cost vs Sourcetree?
GitHub is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Sourcetree is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.