Spire vs GitUp: two native Mac clients, different scope.
GitUp is a beloved free Mac Git client: native, fast, and famous for its live graph and unlimited undo. We are not going to pretend otherwise. Spire covers more of the everyday workflow and comes with a team and regular updates behind it. Both are real Mac apps. They aim at different things.
GitUp is free, open source, native to macOS, and genuinely fast, with a legendary snapshot-based undo. Spire is a commercial native client aimed at the fuller daily loop: single-line staging, a visual conflict resolver, external diff tools, syntax highlighting, repo settings, and steady, supported updates. Neither is more native or the obvious value pick. It comes down to scope and support.
A team behind the app.
- GitUp is free and open source. Genuinely generous.
- Spire is commercially supported, with regular signed updates.
- A roadmap and a team you can reach when something breaks.
- Fair upgrade pricing when a major release lands.
More of the everyday loop.
Lines
Stage individual lines, not just hunks
Resolve
A full visual conflict resolver
Settings
Edit repo config without leaving the app
Both let you walk it back.
Spire vs GitUp, in detail.
| Spire | GitUp | |
|---|---|---|
Platform Both are native Mac apps. This is common ground, not a wedge. | ||
| Platform | macOS only | macOS only |
| Native (AppKit / SwiftUI) | ||
| Universal (Apple silicon + Intel) | ||
| Works fully offline | ||
Cost & openness GitUp's model is hard to argue with here. | ||
| Price | One-time purchase | Free |
| Open source | ||
| Commercial support | ||
Everyday workflow Where Spire deliberately goes broader. | ||
| Single-line staging | Hunk-level | |
| Visual conflict resolver | Basic | |
| External diff tools | ||
| Syntax highlighting in diffs | ||
| Interactive rebase UI | ||
| Cherry-pick (undoable) | ||
| In-app repo settings | ||
Graph & undo GitUp's signature strengths, credited honestly. | ||
| Live commit graph | ||
| Edit history directly in the graph | Via actions | |
| Live snapshots / time-travel | ||
| Unlimited undo / redo | ||
| Recover deleted commits | ||
Setup & updates Install nothing, stay current. | ||
| Bundled Git, zero setup | ||
| Auto-update (Sparkle) | ||
Where GitUp is the better call.
You want it free and open source.
GitUp is both, under a permissive license. Spire is a commercial app you buy once.
You love the live graph.
Editing history directly in GitUp's map is uniquely satisfying. Spire has a graph, but GitUp's is its whole reason for being.
You rely on snapshot time-travel.
GitUp's live snapshots let you scrub through your working state. Spire's undo is deep, but it is a different model.
You want the leanest, fastest thing.
GitUp is famously light and quick. Spire does more, and asks for a little more in return.
You prefer community-driven tools.
GitUp is open source and shaped by its community. Spire is built and supported commercially.
Should you choose Spire or GitUp?
Choose Spire if...
- You want more of the daily workflow in one native app
- Single-line staging and a real conflict resolver matter to you
- You want external diff tools and syntax-highlighted diffs
- You value regular, supported updates and someone to email
- You are happy to pay once for a broader tool
Choose GitUp if...
- You want a free, open-source Mac client
- The live commit graph is your favorite way to work
- Snapshot time-travel undo is a must-have
- You want the leanest, fastest option
- You prefer community-driven, open tools
Frequently asked questions
Yes, and an honest one: both are native Mac Git clients. GitUp is free, open source and graph-focused, Spire covers more of the everyday workflow (line staging, conflict resolution, external diff tools, repo settings) with commercial support. Which one fits depends on how much you want the app to do.
Not better, broader. GitUp is a focused, free, beautifully fast tool with a legendary undo. Spire trades free for a wider feature set and ongoing support. Both are worth having.
Yes, GitUp is free and open source. Spire is a commercial app you pay for once. If free is the priority, GitUp is a great choice.
Yes. GitUp is AppKit, Spire is SwiftUI and AppKit. Neither is more native than the other, and that is not the difference between them. The difference is scope and support.
No. GitUp's snapshot time-travel is its own thing, and it is excellent. Spire gives you deep Cmd+Z undo instead (recover local changes, revisions, commits and deleted branches), a different model with the same goal.
Yes. They both operate on plain Git repositories, so you can open the same repo in either and use whichever suits the task.
For the broader everyday workflow and the support behind it: single-line staging, a visual conflict resolver, external diff tools, syntax highlighting, repo settings, and regular signed updates from a team you can reach. If you do not need those, GitUp is a fantastic free option.
Comparison based on publicly available information about GitUp and provided for orientation. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Try Spire on your own repositories.
Free for 30 days, no account, no credit card. GitUp is free and excellent, so keep it around and see if Spire's broader workflow earns a place next to it.