GitHub vs GitLab: Which is Better in 2026?
GitHub and GitLab are both Version Control & Code Review tools. GitHub: Where the code, the pull requests and most of the people who might contribute to them already are. GitLab: One application for repos, CI/CD, security scanning and releases, and the only major host you can also run yourself. This page is for founders and developers choosing between them, with pricing, free access, and pros and cons side by side.
Quick verdict
Both are solid version control & code review options. GitHub is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. GitHub has a slightly higher editorial score here (4.8 vs 4.4 out of 5; our score, not user reviews).
GitHub vs GitLab: Side by Side
| GitHub | GitLab | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Version Control & Code Review | Version Control & Code Review |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $4/user/mo | Free · paid from $29/user/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Best for | Version Control & Code Review: git, code-review | Version Control & Code Review: git, ci-cd |
Ratings are App Stack Builder’s editorial score out of 5, not an average of user reviews.
Pros & Cons
- The network effect: everyone is already here
- Actions covers CI without another vendor
- Best-in-class ecosystem and integrations
- Cheap Team tier
- Actions minutes and storage bill separately
- Enterprise pricing is a big jump
- Issues stay basic next to a real tracker
- Repos, CI, security and releases in one tool
- Self-managed edition is free
- Strong compliance and audit features
- Good fit where code cannot leave your network
- Premium is seven times GitHub Team
- Self-managing it is a real ops job
- Smaller contributor network than GitHub
Key Features Compared
GitHub
- Protected branches and rulesets
- Required reviewers and code owners
- Draft pull requests
- 3,000 Actions minutes / month
GitLab
- Merge request approvals
- Code quality scanning
- 10,000 CI/CD minutes
- Multi-project pipelines
Choose GitHub if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Budget is tight: paid plans start lower ($4/mo vs $29/mo).
- The network effect: everyone is already here
- Actions covers CI without another vendor
Choose GitLab if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Repos, CI, security and releases in one tool
- Self-managed edition is free
- Strong compliance and audit features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub better than GitLab?⌄
Both are solid version control & code review options. GitHub is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. GitHub has a slightly higher editorial score here (4.8 vs 4.4 out of 5; our score, not user reviews).
What is the difference between GitHub and GitLab?⌄
GitHub: Where the code, the pull requests and most of the people who might contribute to them already are. GitLab: One application for repos, CI/CD, security scanning and releases, and the only major host you can also run yourself. Both are version control & code review tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
GitHub vs GitLab: which is cheaper?⌄
GitHub pricing: Free · paid from $4/user/mo. GitLab pricing: Free · paid from $29/user/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, GitHub or GitLab?⌄
On our editorial score, GitHub is 4.8 out of 5 and GitLab is 4.4 out of 5, so GitHub is slightly ahead. This is our own score, not an average of user reviews.
See more options in our guide to the best version control & code review tools for startups.
Still not sure which to pick?
Get a free, AI-powered tech stack, including the best version control & code review pick for your budget and team, in 60 seconds.