The global software development community continues to expand, with millions of developers contributing to all sorts of projects and innovations. So, it makes sense that choosing between GitHub and GitLab has become more pivotal than ever for software development teams.
With both platforms giving you strong collaboration tools, support for version control, and ways to manage projects, you might ask, “Does the choice even matter?” The short answer is, “Yes, it does.” But what you actually need to be bothered with is the why.
While similar, these platforms cater to different needs and user preferences. Our goal here is to cover the differences in features, pricing models, and practical use cases for each platform. Does this sound like what you’re looking for? Then, let’s begin.
A History of GitHub and GitLab
Looking at how these two platforms have evolved gives us a better understanding of where they stand today.
GitHub, founded in 2008, quickly became the leader in hosting open-source projects. The platform’s user-friendly interface enabled developers to share and collaborate on code more efficiently. There was no competition. GitHub’s introduction of pull requests and forking helped shape collaboration norms in software development. Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018, further solidifying its place in enterprise environments. In recent years, GitHub introduced Copilot, an AI tool designed to suggest code as you work, streamlining the development process.
Then GitLab came along. Founded in 2011, GitLab started out as an open-source alternative. It aimed to deliver a self-hosted platform for Git repositories. Over time, it expanded into a full-featured DevOps platform by adding CI/CD, security, and project management tools. At that point, it became the go-to platform, a single tool that could manage the entire development lifecycle. Also, unlike GitHub, GitLab offers both a SaaS option and a free self-hosting option.
What Is the Difference Between GitHub and GitLab?
To get the full picture of Git vs. GitHub vs. GitLab, let’s first see how each fits into the development ecosystem: Git is the underlying version control system. Then, there are GitHub and GitLab built on top of Git, giving it better functionality and integration.
Now, to understand the difference between GitHub and GitLab, we must take a closer look at their feature sets and how each platform approaches software development.
While both platforms have the necessary Git repository management and collaboration tools, GitHub is more community-driven. But what does that mean? It means the platform focuses on open-source projects and collaboration and thrives on its large user base. If you’re a developer who wants to share code, contribute to public projects, or access a wide range of third-party tools, GitHub is a great choice.
GitLab, in contrast, provides a comprehensive DevOps platform that extends beyond basic version control. With integrated CI/CD pipelines, security features, and project management, GitLab is better suited for teams that need a unified solution for managing their development processes from start to finish.
Whether you need self-hosting or cloud-based deployment, GitLab’s DevOps tools make it the preferred choice for organizations that require an all-in-one solution. The adoption of DevOps practices is on the rise, with most organizations recognizing its value for efficient software development and operations.
Feature Breakdown: GitHub vs GitLab
Both platforms offer essential features for development, but they have unique approaches that cater to different teams.
| Feature | GitHub | GitLab |
| Repository Management | Simple interface, great for open-source, pull requests, forking | Advanced control, self-hosting option, more granular permissions |
| CI/CD Support | GitHub Actions, third-party integrations required | Built-in CI/CD, integrated directly into platform |
| Project Management | Basic tools (Issues, Milestones), relies on third-party tools | Native project management features (Time tracking, Burndown charts, Issue dependencies) |
| Security | Dependabot, CodeQL, third-party integrations | Integrated DevSecOps, security features in CI/CD pipelines (e.g., vulnerability scanning) |
| Hosting Options | SaaS (cloud-based only), paid plans for private repositories | SaaS & Self-hosting (Community Edition free) |
Repository Management and Version Control
Managing Git repositories is central to both GitHub and GitLab. But I know you’re here for the differences. So here it goes:
As you already know, GitHub is the go-to place for open-source projects. It centers everything around one idea: making collaboration easy. The platform was the innovator of features like forking and pull requests, now standard in Git-based projects. But it’s good to know that while GitHub does provide private repositories, you will need a paid plan.
GitLab, however, has a reputation for offering more control over the self-hosting of repositories. If you’re looking for a free self-hosted solution, GitLab provides this through its Community Edition, making sure there’s no need to pay for hosting. GitLab’s SaaS offerings also support both private and public repositories, and they come with more advanced permissions and built-in access management.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
Here’s where things get more interesting with GitLab. When it comes to CI/CD pipelines, GitLab has a significant advantage. Built-in support for CI/CD means that developers don’t need to rely on external integrations. GitLab’s CI/CD feature is directly tied to its repository management. What’s the use? That would be the automated testing, deployment, and delivery within a single workflow. This integration makes GitLab especially useful for DevOps teams that want everything in one place.
GitHub, on the other hand, introduced GitHub Actions, which allows users to automate workflows. The catch is that it still relies on third-party tools for full CI/CD integration. For developers already using GitHub and comfortable with its ecosystem, GitHub Actions are very flexible and customizable. Still, they may need more setup than GitLab’s out-of-the-box solution.
It’s good to know that the DevOps market is projected to grow significantly, from an estimated $10.4 billion in 2023 to $25.5 billion in 2028. This is why the importance of integrated development and operations platforms cannot be overstated.
Project Management Features
Both GitHub and GitLab provide tools to manage your projects, but the way these tools are implemented is not the same.
GitLab natively includes project management features like time tracking, issue dependencies, and burndown charts, making it an attractive choice for larger teams or those with more complex needs. With GitLab, teams can manage tasks, track progress, and view analytics on their development pipelines from within the same platform.
GitHub’s project management capabilities are a bit more basic. It lets developers organize their tasks and collaborate on project goals with features like GitHub Issues and milestones. But for more advanced project management, GitHub relies heavily on third-party integrations. The GitHub Marketplace has numerous project management tools like Jira, Trello, and Linear. This lets you and your developers customize your workflow.
Pricing: GitHub vs GitLab
With all the similarities between GitHub and GitLab, pricing could be your deciding factor. Both platforms offer free plans, but the features are not the same.
GitHub Pricing
GitHub provides a free plan that includes private repositories, but access to more advanced features requires a paid plan. GitHub Team starts at $4 per user per month, while GitHub Enterprise begins at $21 monthly. For GitHub Enterprise, users get better support, improved security features, and better control over repositories.
GitLab Pricing
GitLab offers a free plan for both self-hosting and SaaS hosting. The GitLab Premium plan starts at $29 per user per month, and the Ultimate plan reportedly costs $99 per user per month, but it’s best to contact their sales team for the exact prices. The Premium plan gives access to features like project management tools, CI/CD support, and better security. GitLab appeals to those looking for a DevOps platform that integrates CI/CD, security, and project management in one package. The value is there if your team also values all-in-one features.
Security Features: GitHub vs GitLab
Security is a primary concern for developers, and both GitHub and GitLab take it seriously, but their approaches differ.
GitLab leads the charge with its DevSecOps approach. It integrates security directly into the CI/CD pipeline. This is noteworthy because it lets you manage security at every step, from code testing to deployment. With features like vulnerability scanning, GitLab ensures that your code is secure before it hits production.
GitHub also provides strong security features like Dependabot and CodeQL. If your code has vulnerabilities, GitHub helps you identify them and even suggests fixes. However, it needs more setup for third-party security tools, as it doesn’t have native integrations with security features like GitLab.
Use Cases: Which Platform is Right for You?
As we’ve mentioned, each team has different needs, and every project has unique requirements. This means you must learn how useful these platforms are in various use cases. Here, we’ll go through different scenarios and tell you which platform is best for that specific use case. So just skim through the following until you find what describes your needs best.
Open Source Projects
For open-source projects, GitHub has long been the platform of choice. It’s home to millions of public repositories. So, it’s not surprising that it’s the most popular platform for open-source development. With easy-to-use features like pull requests and forking, GitHub makes it simple to collaborate on open-source code.
That said, GitLab is an excellent option if your team prefers a self-hosting solution or needs more advanced features for DevOps workflows. GitLab’s open-source edition can be hosted on your own servers, allowing for more control over the code and infrastructure.
Developer-Focused Projects
For individual developers or smaller teams, both GitHub and GitLab are strong contenders. But the right platform largely depends on the type of projects you’re working on.
GitHub remains a favorite for developers working on personal projects or collaborating on open-source code. Its intuitive interface, combined with its massive community of contributors, makes it the go-to choice for developers who are part of the open-source ecosystem. Setting up a private repository or contributing to others’ public projects is seamless, and the pull request system helps streamline collaboration.
On the other hand, if you’re a developer looking for more than just a version control system and want an all-in-one platform for managing your CI/CD pipelines, GitLab might be the better option. Developers who need advanced features like integrated project management tools and full DevOps workflows will appreciate GitLab’s more extensive set of tools. For instance, if you’re working on a small team and need to automate testing and deployment, GitLab provides a fully integrated experience that doesn’t require as many third-party applications as GitHub does.
Large-Scale Open Source Projects
When managing large open-source projects, GitHub is the undisputed leader. With its vast user base and contributions from thousands of developers around the world, GitHub remains the hub for open-source software. Projects like Linux, React, and TensorFlow all call GitHub home. If you’re looking to contribute to or manage a large open-source project, GitHub’s forking and pull request system make collaboration easier than ever.
However, GitLab still holds its own for open-source projects that require complex workflows. For teams working on larger projects with multiple stages, automated deployments, or complex security requirements, GitLab’s integrated CI/CD pipelines and security features give it an edge. GitLab’s self-hosting option also provides full control over your infrastructure, allowing you to customize your environment to suit the needs of your open-source project.
Educational Purposes and Learning Projects
When considering GitHub vs GitLab for educational intents, GitHub generally stands out as the sounder option. Its user-friendly interface, wide array of resources, and documentation make it an excellent choice for beginners who want to learn version control and how to collaborate on software projects. Many educational institutions also recommend GitHub as part of their curriculum to get students familiar with real-world Git repository management.
But if you want to introduce students to DevOps workflows or teach them about integrated CI/CD pipelines, GitLab is also a solid bet. It gives them a chance to work with continuous integration, deployment, and monitoring, which can be valuable for students who want to learn more about modern software development practices.
GitLab vs Git: Where Do They Stand?
The comparison of GitLab vs Git boils down to the fact that Git is the version control system, while GitLab builds on top of it with added features for managing the entire development pipeline. While Git offers the core functionalities for tracking code changes, branching, and merging, GitLab takes these features and enhances them by providing integrated tools for testing, deployment, and project management.
GitLab and Git work hand in hand to support developers, but GitLab’s added features make it the preferred choice for teams who need a full-fledged DevOps platform. If you’re already using Git, you can certainly stick with it, but GitLab enhances the workflow by providing CI/CD pipelines, security features, and project management tools in a single platform.
Cloudzy: Hosting GitHub and GitLab Projects
For teams using GitHub or GitLab for project management, Cloudzy offers the perfect hosting solution. Whether you need Linux VPS hosting or Windows VPS hosting, Cloudzy ensures your repositories are hosted on high-performance, secure servers. With Cloudzy, you’ll benefit from low-latency connectivity, guaranteed uptime, and scalable solutions that support your growing team’s needs.
With Cloudzy’s flexible hosting plans, your team can rely on powerful infrastructure to run CI/CD pipelines, host GitHub or GitLab repositories, and collaborate on code efficiently. Whether you’re hosting an open-source project or an enterprise application, Cloudzy provides the tools you need to keep your workflow smooth.
Conclusion
GitHub and GitLab serve different needs. GitHub is great for open-source projects and smaller teams that prioritize collaboration. It has a large community and plenty of third-party integrations, making it easy to use.
On the other hand, GitLab is built for teams that want an all-in-one platform. It includes DevOps tools, CI/CD pipelines, security features, and project management, reducing the need for extra services.
If flexibility and external tools matter most, GitHub is a solid choice. If you prefer a complete platform for managing development from start to finish, GitLab is the better fit.
