TortoiseGit

Free plan Windows

What TortoiseGit is

TortoiseGit is a free Windows Shell interface to Git, based on TortoiseSVN. Its commands are mainly accessed through Windows Explorer context menus, while overlay icons show file status and relevant actions. It supports commits, log viewing, version comparison, branches, tags, and patches. The commit dialog includes spell checking, path and keyword autocomplete, and formatting with special characters. It can link issue numbers to commits through web-based bug trackers and optionally warn when a commit has no issue number. Included tools help display changes, resolve conflicts, apply patches, review file history, and compare images. TortoiseGit supports offline use, Git LFS, submodules, and interactive rebase. It requires a command-line git.exe; the FAQ specifies Git for Windows 2.24 or newer. The current FAQ calls for Windows 10 version 1607 or newer, while older Windows versions require older releases. Installers are available for 32-bit, 64-bit, and ARM64 Windows.

Who it suits

TortoiseGit suits Windows users who want Git commands available from Windows Explorer. It may also fit users who need offline use, issue links, or included tools for changes and conflicts.

What it does well

Git commands are available from Explorer context menus
Includes tools for conflict resolution and patch application
Supports offline use, Git LFS, and submodules
Free for commercial use under the GPL

What to know first

Windows only
Requires a separate command-line Git installation
Current FAQ requires Windows 10 version 1607 or newer

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
TortoiseGit	GPL open source · free for commercial use	Free

As tortoisegit.org lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

TortoiseGit adds Explorer-based access to common Git operations and related tools at no charge. Check its Windows and Git prerequisites before installing.

Facts from TortoiseGit's own pages

Commit dialog: The commit dialog includes a spell checker, path and keyword autocomplete, and text formatting with special characters. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Compatibility: The current FAQ requires Windows 10 version 1607 or newer; Windows 7, Vista, and XP require older releases. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
File status: It displays file status with Explorer overlay icons and shows commands relevant to the selected file or folder. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · tortoisegit.org, 20 Sept 2026
Git operations: It supports committing, viewing logs, comparing versions, creating branches and tags, and creating patches. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Git prerequisite: TortoiseGit requires a command line git.exe, and the FAQ specifies Git for Windows 2.24 or newer as required. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Included tools: TortoiseGitMerge can display changes, help resolve conflicts, and apply patch files; TortoiseGitBlame and TortoiseGitIDiff provide file history and image comparison features. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Installers: The download page offers 32 bit, 64 bit, and ARM64 Windows installers and language packs. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Issue tracking: It can integrate with web based bug trackers to link issue numbers to commits and optionally warn when a commit has no issue number. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Project maintainer: The official site identifies Sven Strickroth as the project's lead developer and says the website is maintained by him. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: TortoiseGit is a Windows Shell interface to Git based on TortoiseSVN. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Security: The FAQ says the automatic updater cryptographically verifies binaries; the support page says the crash reporter can upload crash dumps to drdump.com for team review. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Support: Support is available through manuals, an FAQ, a GitLab issue tracker, mailing lists, and the StackOverflow tortoisegit tag. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Website privacy: The site says it does not use cookies or track users, uses encrypted connections, and stores access logs for aggregated statistics and site protection. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026
Workflow: Its commands are available from Windows Explorer, and its main interaction is through Explorer context menus. · tortoisegit.org, 3 Oct 2026