GitLab vs GitHub: Which one should you choose?
Git and its providers, GitLab and GitHub, are the lifeblood of many software development projects. But how do you decide which is the better option for you? It's a common dilemma among developers when deciding which version control system to use. Fear not Flare Compare Team is here to compare GitLab vs GitHub both relentlessly and objectively. In this post, we'll be diving deep into both Git providers to help you make an informed choice.
GitLab: What is it?
GitLab is a web-based Git repository and a DevOps lifecycle management tool that provides source code management (SCM), continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), and many other features, all in a single platform.
Features
- Offers free CI/CD pipeline minutes, and larger CI/CD pipelines with more extensive hardware get prioritized.
- Built-in container registry for both public and private images, available in both the free and paid versions.
- Out-of-the-box support for Kubernetes deployment targets, alongside on-premises, cloud, or hybrid cloud setups.
- Offers a built-in Wiki, Issue tracking, and Project management features.
- Includes built-in chatops functionality
Pricing
GitLab's pricing model is based on a tiered approach, with pricing ranging from $4 per user/month for the Starter edition to $99, $299, or $499 per user/month for the Premium, Ultimate, and GitLab.com versions, respectively.
GitHub: What is it?
GitHub is a popular web-based Git repository hosting platform that provides an interface for all Git repositories. In addition, it also offers a collaborative environment for teams to build, manage, and store software projects.
Features
- GitHub actions for CI/CD pipelines
- Built-in code review, pull requests, and merge control functionality
- Offers multiple code reviews, social coding opportunities, and forums for developers to collaborate.
- Allows creation of unlimited public repositories, but private repositories are charged for.
Pricing
GitHub's pricing model differs from GitLab in that it charges users based on the number of private repositories, while public repositories are unlimited and free. The pricing ranges from $0 for unlimited public repositories to $4 per user/month for private repositories.
GitLab vs GitHub: The comparison
GitLab and GitHub are both popular Git repository solutions, and although they share some features, they differ in some important aspects. Here's a detailed comparison between them:
Ease of Use
GitLab has an intuitive UI and an easy-to-learn interface. It is simple and easy to navigate for developers of all levels, with all the tools and functionality readily available on one page. GitHub is also user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and a smooth experience.
CI/CD
Both GitLab and GitHub offer robust CI/CD tools. GitLab provides free CI/CD minutes, with priority given to larger pipelines, while GitHub offers unlimited build minutes for their paid version. GitLab also has a container registry available in both the free and paid versions.
Security
GitLab and GitHub offer similar security features, including two-factor authentication, SSO, and many others. However, GitLab has better options for permission management, and easier management of security areas.
Pricing
GitLab and GitHub both have different pricing models. GitLab's pricing model is based on a tiered approach, while GitHub charges based on the number of private repositories. GitLab's pricing starts from $4 per user/month while GitHub starts at $4/month for private repositories.
Conclusion
After a detailed comparison between GitLab and GitHub, we can conclude that your choice should come down to the type of project you're working on, the size of the team, the pricing model, and the features you require.
GitLab is well suited for development teams that are agile and DevOps focused, with a need for robust CI/CD functionality. It also has better tools for security management, and a more flexible pricing model.
GitHub is great for teams that are building open-source projects or smaller projects. Its strengths include an active community and lots of features. However, the pricing for private repositories can quickly increase.
We hope that this comparison has helped you make a more informed decision between GitLab vs GitHub. Remember, choose the Git provider that best fits the needs of your team!