Install Git on Mac OS X There are several ways to install Git on a Mac. In fact, if you've installed XCode (or it's Command Line Tools), Git may already be installed. To find out, open a terminal and enter git -version. $ git -version git version 2.7.0 (Apple Git-66). The phrase to search is 'mac diff merge tool'. I'm using one called DiffMerge by SourceGear. It's pretty good. Utilitarian, smart but not pretty. BTW, on the Windows side, I've generally found Tortoise to be a fairly awful git client. Go download SourceTree by Atlassian, it's far better.
Git comes with built-in GUI tools for committing (git-gui) and browsing (gitk), but there are several third-party tools for users looking for platform-specific experience.
If you want to add another GUI tool to this list, just follow the instructions.
SourceTree
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: ProprietaryGitHub Desktop
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: MITTortoiseGit
Platforms: Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLGit Extensions
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLGitKraken
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free / $29 / $49
License: ProprietaryMagit
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLSmartGit
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: $79/user / Free for non-commercial use
License: ProprietaryTower
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Price: $79/user (Free 30 day trial)
License: ProprietaryGitUp
Platforms: Mac
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLGitEye
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: Proprietarygitg
Platforms: Linux, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLungit
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: MITgit-cola
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLCycligent Git Tool
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: Proprietarygiggle
Platforms: Linux
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLGitbox
Platforms: Mac
Price: $14.99
License: ProprietaryAurees
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: ProprietaryFork
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Price: $49.99, free evaluation
License: ProprietaryWorking Copy
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
License: ProprietaryCodeReview
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLgmaster
Platforms: Windows
Price: Beta / Free for non-commercial use
License: ProprietaryGit2Go
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
License: ProprietaryGitAhead
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: MITPocket Git
Platforms: Android
Price: 1.99€
License: ProprietaryGitDrive
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
License: ProprietaryGitX-dev
Platforms: Mac
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLGitBlade
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free Lite version, $59.99/user/year for PRO version
License: ProprietaryGuitar
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: GNU GPLRepoZ
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: MITCong
Platforms: Windows
Price: Free
License: ProprietarySublime Merge
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: $99/user, $75 annual business sub, free eval
License: ProprietaryLazyGit
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: MITSnailGit
Platforms: Mac
Price: $9.99 / Lite version
License: ProprietaryGitAtomic
Platforms: Windows
Price: 15.00€
License: ProprietaryGitfox
Platforms: Mac
Price: €3.99/m or €24,99/y per user
License: ProprietaryGitFiend
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free
License: ProprietaryNitroGit
Platforms: Windows
Price: 20€/user / Free for non-commercial use
License: ProprietaryGitFinder
Platforms: Mac
Price: $24.95
License: ProprietaryVershd
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free for personal use, otherwise $37
License: ProprietaryGitUI
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Price: Free, but donations welcome
License: MITPolyGit
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
License: Proprietary
There are other great GUI tools available as well. Have a look at the list of interfaces, frontends and tools in the Git Wiki.
SnailGit is a TortoiseGit-like Git client, implemented as a Finder extension.
SnailGit allows you to access the most frequently used Git features via the Finder context menu (right click).
SnailGit also adds icon overlays to your Git repositories in Finder. It tracks your Git repositories and updates the icon overlays automatically, giving you visual feedback of the current state of your repositories.
In a few steps, you can start using SnailGit Lite easily:
1. Enable 'SnailGit Lite Extension' in 'System Preferences » Extensions'.
2. Clone a Git repository with SnailGit Lite (File » Git Clone...) or add an existing Git repository to SnailGit Lite.
3. Navigate to your repository in Finder and right click to access SnailGit Lite functionalities.
Tortoisegit Mac Version
* FAQ
Q: What's the difference between SnailGit Lite and SnailGit full version?
A: SnailGit Lite supports only one repository, while the full version supports unlimited repositories. If you are working on multiple Git repositories, please purchase SnailGit full version (search for 'SnailGit' on the Mac App Store).
Q: There is no icon overlays / context menu for the files?
A: Please make sure that you've enabled 'SnailGit Lite Extension' in 'System Preferences » Extensions', and also make sure that you've added the repository to SnailGit Lite Preferences.
If your Git repository is monitored by multiple Finder extensions, please make sure that SnailGit Lite Extension comes first in 'System Preferences » Extensions » Finder', you can drag and drop the extensions to adjust the order.
If the problem persists, please disable 'SnailGit Lite Extension' in 'System Preferences » Extensions' and then enable it again. The last resort is to relaunch Finder or restart your computer.
Q: What kind of URL schemes does SnailGit support?
A: SnailGit supports the following URL schemes:
• http://
• https://
• git://
• ssh://
Q: Does SnailGit work well with other Git clients?
A: In theory, SnailGit works with any kinds of Git clients that is compatible with Git 2.6, from the command line client to the GUI apps.
Q: SnailGit command-line interface?
A: The SnailGit command-line interface is located at '/Applications/SnailGitLite.app/Contents/Resources/snailgit.sh'.
Q: Does SnailGit work for file managers other than Finder?
A: SnailGit is primarily a Finder extension, so it is likely that it will not work for other file managers.