Sourcetree vs GitHub: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Sourcetree and GitHub 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:
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
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
| At a Glance |  Sourcetree |  GitHub |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Version Control |
Rating | 80/100 | 92/100 |
| Feature | Sourcetree | GitHub |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 92 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsVersion Control | Version ControlProject Tracking |
How Sourcetree and GitHub Compare
Sourcetree
Free Git GUI client
Free · 80/100 score
GitHub
Code hosting platform
Free tier available · 92/100 score
Sourcetree is a ide & code editors tool. GitHub is in version control.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Sourcetree is free. GitHub is freemium.
Go with: Sourcetree
Want the highest-rated option?
Sourcetree: 80/100. GitHub: 92/100.
Go with: GitHub
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitHub
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Sourcetree is free. GitHub is freemium. Go with Sourcetree if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Sourcetree is a ide & code editors tool. GitHub is in version control. 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 Sourcetree or GitHub better?
GitHub scores 92/100 in our evaluation. Sourcetree is free and GitHub is freemium.
What are Sourcetree and GitHub used for?
Sourcetree: Free Git GUI client. GitHub: Code hosting platform.
What does Sourcetree cost vs GitHub?
Sourcetree is completely free. GitHub is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.