Spire vs SmartGit: the native Mac client, not a cross-platform port.
SmartGit is deep, and it runs everywhere. Spire trades that reach for a client built only for macOS: native, fast, focused. SmartGit has more breadth. Spire feels like a real Mac app, because it is one.
SmartGit is a powerful, cross-platform Git client built on Java. Spire is native to macOS. If you want the deepest feature set across Mac, Windows and Linux, SmartGit is hard to beat. If you want a client that looks, feels and moves like a Mac app, that is Spire.
One price. No tiers to decode.
- One commercial price, paid once.
- No yearly subscription just to keep the app running.
- SmartGit is free for open source, non-commercial use and students. Genuinely generous.
- SmartGit also offers a perpetual license, so a subscription is not your only option there.
- Free updates within your version, fair upgrade pricing later.
Built for one platform, in its own language.
Native
SwiftUI + AppKit, not a Java UI
Instant
Diffs open with no spinner
Mac-true
System look, menus and shortcuts
A native safety net under every action.
Spire vs SmartGit, in detail.
| Spire | SmartGit | |
|---|---|---|
Platform & feel Both cover the basics. One is a Mac app, one runs everywhere. | ||
| Platform | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Truly native macOS UI | ||
| System menus, shortcuts, look | Approximated | |
| Runs without a Java runtime | ||
| Works fully offline | ||
Pricing & licensing SmartGit is flexible here, and free for many people. | ||
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | Subscription or perpetual |
| Free for open source & students | ||
| Perpetual license available | ||
| No yearly renewal to keep running | With perpetual | |
| One simple price | Several options | |
Core Git power SmartGit is deep and broad. Spire covers the daily loop. | ||
| Single-line staging | ||
| Interactive rebase | ||
| Visual conflict resolver | ||
| Cherry-pick (undoable) | ||
| Compare any two commits | ||
| External diff tools | ||
| Syntax highlighting | ||
| Hosting integration (pull requests) | ||
| SVN bridge | ||
Safety & undo Nothing you do is a one-way street. | ||
| Undo almost anything (Cmd+Z) | Limited | |
| Recover deleted commits | ||
| Recover deleted branches | ||
| Undo history per window & repo | ||
Setup & updates Install nothing extra, update automatically. | ||
| Bundled Git, zero setup | ||
| No separate runtime to install | ||
| Auto-update | ||
Where SmartGit is the better call.
You work across Mac, Windows and Linux.
SmartGit runs on all three. Spire is macOS only, and always will be.
You want the deepest feature set.
SmartGit is broad and detailed, with years of power-user features. Spire deliberately covers the everyday loop instead of everything.
You still use SVN.
SmartGit has a built-in SVN bridge. Spire is Git only.
It is for open source, study or non-commercial use.
SmartGit is free there. Spire is a commercial app.
You want hosting and pull requests in the client.
SmartGit integrates with hosting providers. Spire keeps you in Git and leaves hosting to the browser.
Should you choose Spire or SmartGit?
Choose Spire if...
- You work on the Mac and want it to feel like the Mac
- A focused, native app matters more to you than maximum breadth
- You want one simple price you pay once
- Your pull requests happen in the browser anyway
- You are done installing runtimes and reading license tiers
Choose SmartGit if...
- You work across Mac, Windows and Linux
- You want the broadest, deepest feature set
- You still rely on SVN
- You qualify for its free non-commercial or student license
- You want hosting and pull requests inside the client
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for everyday Git on the Mac. Spire is native and covers single-line staging, interactive rebase, a visual conflict resolver, cherry-pick and undo for almost anything. The difference is that Spire is macOS-only and native, while SmartGit is cross-platform Java with more breadth.
Native Mac versus cross-platform Java, and focus versus breadth. Spire is built only for macOS in SwiftUI and AppKit. SmartGit runs on Mac, Windows and Linux from one Java codebase and carries a deeper, wider feature set.
It depends. SmartGit is free for open source, non-commercial use and students, and also sells a subscription and a perpetual license. Spire is a single commercial payment. If you qualify for SmartGit's free tier, it costs nothing. For commercial use, Spire's one-time price avoids a yearly subscription.
No, macOS only, on purpose. Building for one platform lets us lean fully into the Mac. If you need Windows or Linux, SmartGit is the better choice.
Yes. Your repositories are just Git, so there is nothing to export or import. Open them in Spire and every branch, remote and stash is exactly where you left it.
No. Spire is a native app with its own bundled Git, so there is no Java runtime and nothing extra to install before your first commit.
No. Spire is Git only. If you still work with SVN, SmartGit's bridge is a real reason to choose it.
Comparison based on publicly available information about SmartGit 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. Buy it and you are still covered by 30 days money-back. If SmartGit fits you better, keep it, no hard feelings.