GitHub vs GitLab
A detailed comparison of GitHub and GitLab to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
GitHub
The world's leading platform for software development and version control.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ Unlimited public/private repos | ✓ Free with 5 GB storage |
| Lowest Paid | $4/user/mo | $29/user/mo |
| Enterprise | $21/user/mo | $99/user/mo |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Git hosting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pull requests | ✓ | — |
| Code review | ✓ | ✓ |
| GitHub Actions | ✓ | — |
| Copilot AI | ✓ | — |
| Issues | ✓ | — |
| Projects | ✓ | — |
| Packages | ✓ | — |
| Codespaces | ✓ | — |
| Security features | ✓ | — |
| CI/CD pipelines | — | ✓ |
| Issue tracking | — | ✓ |
| Security scanning | — | ✓ |
| Container registry | — | ✓ |
| Wiki | — | ✓ |
| Auto DevOps | — | ✓ |
| Self-hosting | — | ✓ |
| Kubernetes integration | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.7 | ⭐ 4.3 |
Pros & Cons
GitHub
Pros
- ✓ Industry standard
- ✓ Generous free tier
- ✓ Massive community
- ✓ Great CI/CD
Cons
- ✗ Microsoft owned
- ✗ Can be complex
- ✗ Limited free CI minutes
- ✗ Expensive Copilot
GitLab
Pros
- ✓ All-in-one DevOps
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ Great CI/CD
- ✓ Security features
Cons
- ✗ Complex interface
- ✗ Can be slow
- ✗ Expensive premium
- ✗ Resource heavy to host
🏆 The Verdict
Choose GitHub if: You need software development teams and open-source projects. GitHub excels with its industry standard and generous free tier.
Choose GitLab if: You need teams wanting all-in-one devops. GitLab stands out with its all-in-one devops and self-hostable.
Best free option: Both GitHub and GitLab offer free tiers. GitHub offers "Unlimited public/private repos" while GitLab offers "Free with 5 GB storage".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub better than GitLab?
It depends on your needs. GitHub is better for software development teams and open-source projects, while GitLab is better for teams wanting all-in-one devops. Both are excellent tools rated 4.7 and 4.3 respectively.
Which is cheaper, GitHub or GitLab?
GitHub starts at $4/user/mo while GitLab starts at $29/user/mo. Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from GitHub to GitLab?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying GitLab's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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