GitHub vs GitLab
An honest, mathematical pricing and capability comparison for developers and engineering leaders.
What this comparison covers
One organization of hosted private repositories. CI execution, large files, packages, cloud development, advanced security and AI are excluded. Repository-size policies still apply.
Evaluating 2 products from 3 published in this category. USD monthly equivalents, before tax. Features and service compatibility need separate evaluation.
- Billable people
- 10 people
GitHub
Unlimited public and private repositories.
$0 / month
Free
Official pricing · Checked 2026-10-06
Cost breakdown and exclusions
- Monthly subscription: $0
- Repository hosting only. Included CI and package storage are outside this comparison; paid introductory prices are not modeled.
- Taxes, promotions, prorations, negotiated contracts and optional add-ons.
GitLab
Private repositories and an integrated development platform.
$290.00 / month
Premium · annual commitment · Annual commitment $3,480.00
Official pricing · Checked 2026-10-06
Cost breakdown and exclusions
- Monthly subscription: $0
- Billable seats: $290.00
- Annual commitment. The comparison shows its monthly equivalent; seats and workload are held constant for the full year.
- 500 GiB repository plus LFS storage per project. CI and storage overages are excluded.
- Taxes, promotions, prorations, negotiated contracts and optional add-ons.
Detailed Verdict: When to Choose Which
Based on sourced pricing models, included allowances, and the stated workload requirements.
Evidence for GitHub:
- Free: $0/month at this workload.
- Repository hosting only. Included CI and package storage are outside this comparison; paid introductory prices are not modeled.
- Excluded: Taxes, promotions, prorations, negotiated contracts and optional add-ons.
- Pricing observation: 2026-10-06.
Evidence for GitLab:
- Premium · annual commitment: $290.00/month at this workload.
- Annual commitment. The comparison shows its monthly equivalent; seats and workload are held constant for the full year.
- 500 GiB repository plus LFS storage per project. CI and storage overages are excluded.
- Excluded: Taxes, promotions, prorations, negotiated contracts and optional add-ons.
- Pricing observation: 2026-10-06.
Specification & Capability Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of baseline pricing, free allowances, supported developer capabilities, and verification dates.
| Feature / Metric | GitHub | GitLab | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selected plan | Free | Premium · annual commitment | Tied |
| Monthly cost at stated workload | $0/month | $290.00/month | GitHub |
| Billing commitment | Monthly pricing model | Annual: $3,480.00 | Tied |
| Pricing observation date | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-06 | Tied |
Interactive Workload Calculator
Slide to match your projected monthly volume and watch how each pricing model reacts.
GitHub vs GitLab FAQ
Direct answers to key technical, pricing, and migration questions.
Is GitHub cheaper than GitLab?
GitHub costs $290.00 less per month than GitLab at this workload. This compares modeled charges, not overall product quality.
What does this comparison cover?
One organization of hosted private repositories. CI execution, large files, packages, cloud development, advanced security and AI are excluded. Repository-size policies still apply. Estimates cover modeled fees at the stated usage. Review selected-plan warnings and exclusions; taxes, migration effort and unmodeled requirements are not a savings promise.
How is pricing freshness handled?
The displayed observation dates belong to the selected plans. Stale, future-dated, quote-only or otherwise ineligible estimates do not receive a price ranking. Consult the linked vendor sources before purchasing.