CircleCI vs GitLab
Compare CircleCI and GitLab on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
CircleCI
CI/CD platform — not a git host. Free (6k build minutes / 30k credits framing); Performance from $15/mo; Scale contact. Peer of GitHub Actions / GitLab CI.
Best for
- • Teams that want specialist CI/CD against an existing GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket remote
- • Buyers comparing CircleCI Performance $15 to GitHub Actions minutes
- • Orgs that do not want to move source control in order to buy CI
Starting from $15.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between CircleCI and GitLab. Choose CircleCI when Teams that want specialist CI/CD against an existing GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket remote. Choose GitLab when Teams that want git + CI + security in one licence. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
CircleCI is better for
- ✓ Starting pricing
GitLab is better for
- ✓ Security & admin
Tie
- • Free plan
- • Integrations
Choose CircleCI if: Teams that want specialist CI/CD against an existing GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket remote
Choose GitLab if: Teams that want git + CI + security in one licence
GitLab
DevSecOps platform — Free; Premium $29/user/mo billed annually; Ultimate custom on current GitLab pricing page.
Best for
- • Teams that want git + CI + security in one licence
- • Self-managed / data-residency buyers
- • Orgs leaving a many-tool DevOps stack
Starting from $29.00/user/mo
Free plan available
CircleCI vs GitLab pricing
CircleCI researched starting price from $15/mo; a free plan is researched. GitLab researched starting price from $29/mo; a free plan is researched. Affiliate economics excluded.
CircleCI
From $15.00/user/mo
GitLab
From $29.00/user/mo
CircleCI
Starting from $15.00/user/mo
No free trial evidenced
- Free$0.00/user/mo
- Free CI/CD with published minute/credit caps — not a git hosting plan.
- 0: Build minutes / credits as published (6k minutes / 30k credits framing)
- PerformancePopular$15.00/mo
- $15/mo Performance floor — additional credits/minutes versus Free. Confirm live packaging.
- ScaleCustom
- Scale / enterprise CI — contact sales.
GitLab
Starting from $29.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- Free$0.00/user/mo
- SaaS Free — CI minute and storage caps; small private namespaces.
- PremiumPopular$29.00/user/mo
- $29/user/mo billed annually — MR approvals, more CI, SSO-oriented features.
- UltimateCustom
- Advanced security/compliance — custom pricing on current GitLab page.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
CircleCI
$225.00/mo
GitLab
$435.00/mo
+$210.00/mo — GitLab costs more
Verified monthly unit prices · Aug 18, 2026
Prices in USD
Shown per user / month from verified list pricing.
Plans can change
Confirm live vendor rates before purchasing.
Add-ons may apply
Calling, SMS, or usage fees can add cost.
Independence
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