GitLab vs GitHub
Same-cluster source control / DevOps peer comparison. Choose GitLab when a DevSecOps platform (git + CI + security) is the job — not GitHub Copilot and not Bitbucket-as-cheap-git. Choose GitHub when source control and developer collaboration are the primary job — with Actions for CI/CD if needed. Overall: GitLab 8.3 vs GitHub 9.1. Not hands-on lab tested; confirm live pricing and packaging. Compare published pricing, ITSM, observability, source control, hosting, web data, security, and integrations.
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
VS
Our verdict
Same-cluster source control / DevOps peer comparison. Choose GitLab when a DevSecOps platform (git + CI + security) is the job — not GitHub Copilot and not Bitbucket-as-cheap-git. Choose GitHub when source control and developer collaboration are the primary job — with Actions for CI/CD if needed. Overall: GitLab 8.3 vs GitHub 9.1. Not hands-on lab tested; confirm live pricing and packaging.
GitHub is better for
- ✓ ITSM depth
- ✓ Source control depth
- ✓ Hosting panel depth
- ✓ Web data / proxy depth
Tie
- • Free plan
- • Observability depth
- • Security & admin
Choose GitLab if: Teams that want git + CI + security in one licence
Choose GitHub if: Software teams needing Git source control as the system of record
GitHub
Source control and DevOps platform — free tier for public/seats; Team $4/user/mo; Enterprise $21/user/mo on annual billing.
Best for
- • Software teams needing Git source control as the system of record
- • Organizations standardising on Actions for CI/CD alongside repos
- • Enterprises needing audit/SSO governance on code
Starting from $4.00/user/mo
Free plan available
GitLab vs GitHub pricing
Research 2026-08-18 from first-party pages. Affiliate economics excluded. Confirm live packaging — seats, hosts, GB, CI minutes, and add-ons change TCO.
GitLab
From $29.00/user/mo
GitHub
From $4.00/user/mo
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.
GitHub
Starting from $4.00/user/mo
No free trial evidenced
- Free$0.00/user/mo
- Free for public repositories and limited private collaboration.
- TeamPopular$4.00/user/mo
- $4/user/month billed annually — team collaboration and protected branches.
- Enterprise$21.00/user/mo
- $21/user/month billed annually — enterprise governance, audit, and compliance depth.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
GitLab
$435.00/mo
GitHub
$60.00/mo
+$375.00/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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