Changes

Changes is an open-source graphical Git client for macOS that gives users a Mac-native way to work with Git repositories. It supports commits, amend, revert, checkout, and staging individual hunks. Branch tools include creating, filtering, pushing, pulling, and merging branches; tag tools include creating, pushing, deleting, and filtering tags. Users can apply stashes and search commits by message, changed files, author, or revision range. Changes also supports commit message snippets and can generate commit messages and stash summaries using Apple Intelligence. The app is free, and its repository lists an MIT license. The README directs users to download the latest release, unzip it, and run the app. Version requirements differ: version 2.0 and later requires macOS 26.0 or later, while version 1.18 and earlier requires macOS 14.6 or later. Earlier releases used the name Tempo.app; the v1.18 release notes say that build was notarized by Apple.

Changes brings a broad set of Git tasks into a macOS app, including commit search and hunk-level staging. The version-specific macOS requirements are a key consideration before downloading.

Changes suits Mac users who want a graphical interface for Git operations, including staging selected hunks and managing branches, tags, and stashes. Check the macOS requirement for the version you plan to use.

Changes is a free, open-source Git client for macOS that replaces command-line workflows with a native SwiftUI and AppKit interface. It is best suited to Mac developers who want visual control over commits, branches, and selective staging while keeping the project’s code under an MIT license. The main decision point is whether your Mac meets the requirement for the version you intend to run.

Overview

Changes brings routine repository work into one graphical application. You can create commits, amend or revert them, check out revisions, stage individual hunks, manage branches and tags, and apply stashes. That breadth makes it a practical front end for everyday Git work rather than a narrow commit viewer.

The project is open source and distributed through GitHub releases. The documented installation is to download the latest release, unzip it, and run the app. Releases before and including 1.18 used the name Tempo.app, which matters when following older references or documentation.

Key features

Commits and staging

Hunk-level staging is the most consequential workflow feature: it lets you commit only selected portions of a file when unrelated edits share a working tree. Amend, revert, and checkout are available without returning to a terminal. Message snippets help with repeated wording, and version 2 can generate commit messages with Apple Intelligence instead of the former OpenAI API approach.

Branches, tags, and stashes

Branch tools cover creation, push, pull, merge, and filtering, giving the app useful coverage for repository maintenance. Tags can be created and pushed, deleted, and filtered. Stashes can be applied, and Apple Intelligence can produce stash summaries, which is useful when several temporary work sets are in play.

Commit search

Search goes beyond commit text. You can filter by message, changed files or additions and removals, author, and revision range. That makes the app more suitable for tracing a change through project history than a client limited to browsing recent commits.

Pricing

Changes has one free plan at no cost. It is an open-source macOS app, so there are no paid tiers, seat charges, trial terms, or renewal conditions to weigh. The trade-off is scope: this is a Mac application, not a cross-platform service with separately priced collaboration plans.

Platforms

Changes runs on macOS. Version 2.0 and later requires macOS 26.0 or later. Version 1.18 and earlier supports macOS 14.6 or later and carries the former Tempo.app name. That split can make the older release the relevant choice for Macs that cannot run macOS 26.0.

The v1.18 release build was notarized by Apple. Version 2's commit-message generation uses Apple Intelligence rather than the OpenAI API.

Who it's for

Choose Changes if you work primarily on a Mac and want a native visual layer for Git operations, especially selective hunk staging, detailed commit search, and integrated branch, tag, and stash handling. It also fits readers who prefer an MIT-licensed open-source tool and want Apple Intelligence assistance for commit or stash wording.

It is a weaker fit for teams needing Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, or web access, and for Macs that cannot meet the operating-system requirement of the current release. Those readers should consider a cross-platform client or the earlier compatible release where appropriate.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Hunk-level staging supports clean commits when a working tree contains unrelated changes.
• Pro: Commit search can use message, changed content, author, and revision range, aiding historical investigation.
• Pro: Branch, tag, and stash operations cover more than basic commit creation.
• Pro: Apple Intelligence can generate commit messages and stash summaries in version 2.
• Pro: The app is free, open source, and MIT licensed.
• Con: Platform support is limited to macOS.
• Con: Version 2.0 and later requires macOS 26.0 or later, excluding older systems unless you use version 1.18 or earlier.
• Con: The installation flow is a GitHub download, unzip, and launch rather than a paid-store subscription or hosted service.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of tools, see Version Control Software.

GitUI is a free, open-source terminal Git client; choose it instead if you prefer keyboard-driven terminal work. Git is the free, open-source foundation itself, suited to readers who want the command-line tool rather than a graphical client. Magit is a free Emacs package, making it the natural alternative for Emacs users.

Working Copy targets iOS, with a free plan capped at five repositories and a paid Pro unlock for push and other pro features; choose it for iPhone or iPad workflows. Darcs is a free, open-source version-control system for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments. Accessibility Test Framework for Android is a free cross-platform project focused on Android accessibility testing, not a general Git desktop client.

Diversion and Unity Version Control are freemium, cross-platform options with hosted plans and usage limits; choose either when cloud-oriented collaboration or broader platform coverage matters more than a focused native Mac app.

Verdict

Changes is a strong choice for Mac developers who want a free, open-source graphical Git client with hunk staging, deep commit search, and Apple Intelligence assistance. Choose it for focused native repository management; look elsewhere if you need non-Mac clients, hosted collaboration, or hardware that cannot run macOS 26.0 for the current release.