GitHub vs GitLab: 11 Key Differences

Although they both use the general Git distributed control system, the development methodologies used by GitHub and GitLab differ. Which performs better for tracking your own content? What distinguishes GitHub and GitLab from one another? And who wins the GitHub vs GitLab battle? 

Let’s find out.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is an online software development platform. Developers use GitHub for storing, tracking, and collaborating on software projects. In February 2008, Chris Wanstrath, P. J. Hyett, Scott Chacon, and Tom Preston-Werner used Ruby on Rails to create GitHub.

GitHub serves as a venue for programmers to collaborate on bug fixes and host open-source projects. Also, GitHub provides the distributed version control of Git plus access control, software feature requests, bug tracking, continuous integration, task management, and wikis for every project

Here are some features of GitHub: 

• Provides labels and milestones for projects. 
• Acceptable to view branches in comparison. 
• Developers can publish and host websites inside GitHub thanks to GitHub Pages. 
• Permits cloud hosting and bug-tracking API integrations from third parties.

What is GitLab?

GitLab is a DevOps software package that can develop, secure, and operate software in a single application. Ukrainian developer Dmitriy Zaporozhets and Dutch developer Sytse Sijbrandij created this open-source software project.

GitLab offers a range of management tools via which developers can finish the software development lifecycle early. GitLab allows developers to import the repository from Google Code, Bitbucket, and other services.

Here are some features of GitLab: 

• Perfect platform for managing open-source repository editions.
• Repository maintenance on a server is simple. 
• Provides tools for efficient app development, including Group Milestones, Time Tracking, and Issue Tracker.
• Comes with impromptu features for authentication and user interface. 
• Provides improved ‘branch protection’ and ‘user permission’ functions.

GitHub vs GitLab: Side by Side Comparison

GitHub: Advantages and Disadvantages

GitLab: Advantages and Disadvantages

Summary

GitLab may be a better choice if your requirements are flexible and you want to save money. However, GitHub would be better if you can spend more and want a sophisticated system. 

As it offers an infinite number of private repositories to be utilized with a built-in continuous integration system, GitLab has significant advantages over GitHub.

In addition, in comparison to GitLab, which focuses on providing a features-based system with a centralized, integrated platform for web developers, GitHub offers higher availability and is concerned with infrastructure performance. 

GitHub may be a better option if you are collaborating with many developers on a bigger project. On the other hand, GitLab can be used if the project calls for continuous integration.

So there you have it; a detailed comparison of GitHub and GitLab. Both services offer some pros and cons. Depending on your project requirements, choose the best one for you. Or look for experts who know when and how to leverage both services.

Turing offers an exclusive talent pool of 2 million+ developers from 150 countries. Companies looking for expert GitHub and GitLab professionals can hire pre-vetted developers within 3-5 days. 

FAQs

1. Is GitHub or GitLab better?
   GitHub is a better option if you are collaborating on a larger project as a team with other developers. However, GitLab can be a better choice if the project needs continuous integration.
    
2. Is GitLab more expensive than GitHub?
   The first month of GitLab’s premium subscription costs $19 per user. Managers have access to controls for code integrity and project management. On the other hand, the GitHub team plan costs $4 per user every month at first. Later, GitHub costs $21 per user/month.
   
   
3. Do companies use GitLab?
   More than 3000 businesses use GitLab, including Bitpanda, KAVAK, and GO-JEK.