GitLab vs GitHub: Which one is better?
If you're working in software development, you must have heard of GitLab and GitHub - two of the most popular Git repository management systems out there. While both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, it can be confusing to choose the one that fits your business needs best.
In this blog post, we will provide you with a factual and unbiased comparison of GitLab vs. GitHub, so that you can make an informed decision.
Background
GitLab
GitLab is a web-based Git repository management system. It is an open-source platform that offers a wide range of features used in software development. These include source code management (SCM), continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), code review, issue tracking, and more. GitLab was created by Dmitriy Zaporozhets and Valery Sizov in 2011.
GitHub
GitHub is a web-based Git repository hosting service. It is also an open-source platform that provides various features for software development such as SCM, code review, issue tracking, and more. GitHub was created by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, and PJ Hyett in 2008.
Comparison
Cost
GitLab and GitHub offer different pricing options for their services. GitLab offers both free and paid plans, while GitHub only offers paid plans beyond its limited free plan.
Features
Both platforms offer a wide range of features for software development. However, GitLab has an edge over GitHub in terms of its comprehensive set of tools. GitLab includes built-in continuous integration and deployment, which is available from the free version, while GitHub requires the user to integrate with another service like Travis CI.
Community
Both GitLab and GitHub have a strong community of users. GitHub has a larger userbase as it has been around for a longer time, but GitLab's userbase is rapidly growing.
Performance
GitLab is known for its fast and reliable performance, thanks to it being self-hosted. However, GitHub is cloud-based, meaning better performance for geographically dispersed teams as it has multiple globally distributed data centers.
Conclusion
GitLab and GitHub both offer unique features for software development, and ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your specific business requirements. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution for your software development, GitLab might be a more suitable choice. However, if you have a cloud-based team and require seamless integration with other services, GitHub could be more preferable.