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Head-to-head · Git Clients

GitKraken Desktop vs Tower

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score GitKraken Desktop #1 in Git Clients 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit GitKraken
Tower #5 in Git Clients 8.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Tower

GitKraken Desktop leads on 1 check, Tower on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitKraken Desktop · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly GitKraken Desktop
  • Free trialboth

GitKraken Desktop scores higher on our rubric for git clients: 8.8 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

GitKraken Desktop offers free plan; Tower doesn't.

GitKraken Desktop is the better fit for teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client. Tower is the better fit for teams seeking paid Git workflows and collaboration.

  • GitKraken Desktop fits best

    Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client

  • Tower fits best

    Teams seeking paid Git workflows and collaboration

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GitKraken Desktop 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Tower 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.1
Ranking #1 in Git Clients #5 in Git Clients
Best for Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client Teams seeking paid Git workflows and collaboration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $5.75/user/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux macOS, Windows
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GitKraken Desktop 0/3 · Tower 0/3
Visual history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Conflict resolution Not checked yet Not checked yet
Submodule support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Repository hosting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Git workflows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
  • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations
  • Visual staging, committing, branching, and drag-and-drop workflows
  • Graphical conflict resolution, interactive rebase, and Git LFS
  • Pull-request workflows and integrations with major Git hosting services
Cons
  • Private repository access requires a paid plan
  • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
  • Business pricing is custom-quoted
  • No perpetual free plan; access starts with a 30-day trial
  • Basic is limited to 1 user and lacks listed team-management features
  • Desktop-only, with versions for macOS and Windows
Our verdict

GitKraken Desktop is a graphical Git client for developers and development teams who want to manage repositories through a visual interface. Its commit graph and repository history sit alongside branch creation, merging, rebasing, and…

Read the review →

Tower is a desktop Git client for developers, designers, and teams working with local and remote repositories. Its visual controls cover staging, committing, branches, merges, rebasing, conflict resolution, submodules, Git LFS, pull…

Read the review →
  1. GitKraken DesktopGit Clients 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. TowerGit Clients 8.130-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitKraken Desktop — where it wins

    • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
    • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Private repository access requires a paid plan
    • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
    • Business pricing is custom-quoted

  • Tower — where it wins

    • Visual staging, committing, branching, and drag-and-drop workflows
    • Graphical conflict resolution, interactive rebase, and Git LFS
    • Pull-request workflows and integrations with major Git hosting services

    Where it doesn't

    • No perpetual free plan; access starts with a 30-day trial
    • Basic is limited to 1 user and lacks listed team-management features
    • Desktop-only, with versions for macOS and Windows
  • GitKraken Desktop8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A visual Git workspace with advanced workflows, conflict tools, and hosting integrations.

    Visit GitKrakenFull verdict →
  • Tower8.1/10 · 30-day trial

    A paid desktop Git client with visual workflows, pull requests, and team plans.

    Visit TowerFull verdict →

More comparisons

All git clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update