Gitx + Gity = (Gitxy? Gity-x?) a Good Git Gui

I know that maybe for the sake of personal robustness (Insert obligatory bad joke here) that I should be training myself to git via command line and learn the ins and outs of this distribute-ed version control.  But I have to admit I love guis.  I especially love native-application-type guis on Mac OS X.  Knowing this, a somewhat reputable source recommended GitX and Gity.

GitX is very similar to gitk, the Unix-based repository browser that comes as part of the git package.  Being an open source project, it has that nice price tag of $0.  It has a nice browser with a cute timeline-type representation of the repository history (just like gitk) as well as a flexible interface for staging commits.  The diff functionality is clear and easy. But that’s pretty much it.  You have to already have a repository setup locally, and you can only commit.  No pushes, pulls.  You can branch but no tags.

Gity by Mac Endeavor is less a repository browser and more of a straight-up gui for most git functionality.  Branches, tags, and remotes are listed on the left hand side, and the main page basically lists files in the currently repository.  There are toggles for untracked files, modified files, and staged files.  Commits are a simple dialog. The implementation of these features feels lacking compared to that of GitX.  However, Gity rocks when it comes to all the functionality that GitX omits.  You can clone repositories, create new remotes, fetch, push, pull, branch, tag, configure git, and other advanced functionality that flies over the head of this n00b. UPDATE Thanks to Aaron @ Mac Endeavor for giving some heads up in the comments on updates to Gity history and diff functionality.

Is one better than the other?  In my opinion, nope. I use Gitx daily.  I use Gity every now and again.  Gitx does what little it does very well.  Gity is loaded with features. GitX is free. Gity is $18 (after a 20 repo refresh trial).  Do I think that Gity is worth $18?  Eh.  I would pay $18 if GitX and Gity merged to have GitX’s interface with all of Gity’s extra functionality.  THAT would be epic, and I know people before me have said the same.  On a related note, anyone else notice how strangely similar their logos are?  Hm… *speculate, speculate*

But fanciful, wistful fantasies of applications-not-yet-written aside, if you do end up getting both GitX and Gity, you’ll be in good shape to getting going with your git-ting.