GitHub vs GitLab

As software development has evolved, so too have the tools used to manage it. One of the most important of these tools is version control, which allows developers to track changes to their codebase over time. Git is a widely used version control system that has become the industry standard, and there are many platforms available that support Git. Two of the most popular of these platforms are GitHub and GitLab.

From the start of my career, I used both of them but, I didn’t compare them before as such I decided to do a comparison. 😃

First of all, need to get a simple quick idea about “What is GitHub?” and “What is GitLab?”. 🤔

What is GitHub? 🐙

GitHub is a web-based platform that provides hosting for Git repositories. It allows developers to collaborate on code and manage projects by tracking changes, managing issues, and reviewing code. It is owned by Microsoft and is free to use for open-source projects, although it requires payment for private repositories. GitHub is known for its social features, such as the ability to follow other users and receive notifications when they make changes.

What is GitLab? 🦊

GitLab is a web-based Git repository manager that provides many of the same features as GitHub. However, it is open-source and can be self-hosted, which means that organizations can run their own instances of GitLab on their own servers. GitLab provides a range of tools for managing the entire software development lifecycle, from project planning to deployment. It also has a built-in continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) system, which allows developers to automate the testing and deployment of their code.

Let’s compare GitHub and GitLab. ➡️⬅️

1. Features
   Both platforms offer many of the same features, such as issue tracking, pull requests, and code reviews. However, GitLab offers a few additional features that are not available on GitHub. For example, GitLab has a built-in CI/CD system, which allows developers to automate the testing and deployment of their code. GitLab also provides a range of tools for project planning, including a Kanban board and a Gantt chart.
2. Security
   Both platforms provide security features such as two-factor authentication and encrypted communication. However, GitLab offers a few additional security features, such as IP whitelisting and audit logging. GitLab also provides built-in support for container scanning and vulnerability management.
3. Customizability
   GitLab is more customizable than GitHub because it is open-source and can be self-hosted. Organizations can customize GitLab to meet their specific needs and can even modify the code itself. GitHub, on the other hand, is a closed platform that does not allow for much customization beyond what is provided by the platform.
4. Community
   GitHub has a larger and more active community than GitLab. Because it is owned by Microsoft, it has the resources to invest in marketing and outreach. GitHub is also more widely used, which means that there are more resources available for developers who are learning to use the platform. GitLab, however, has a passionate community of users who appreciate the platform's open-source nature and its focus on privacy and security.
5. Pricing
   GitHub is free for open-source projects but requires payment for private repositories. The cost of private repositories starts at $4 per user per month. GitLab, on the other hand, is open source and can be self-hosted for free, although GitLab also offers a cloud-hosted version with a range of pricing options.

My conclusion on this topic,

GitHub is a good choice if you value social features and a large community, while GitLab is a good choice if you need more robust project planning and automation tools. Ultimately, both platforms offer similar core features and are excellent choices for modern software development.

Thanks for reading 🧡