GitHub vs GitLab – Difference Between Them?
GitHub and GitLab are both popular platforms for version control and collaboration. GitHub is widely used for open-source projects, while GitLab offers more integrated CI/CD features. GitHub has a larger community, but GitLab provides better privacy options. Both have unique features that cater to different user needs. However, many people are perplexed by how these two are different from each other. So, in this article, we will go through GitHub vs GitLab in detail.
As we know that in a software development life cycle (SDLC), making changes to existing source code or developing new source code is quite common. But, due to these changes, developers who were working on separate portions of the code at the same time, the changes in the code could conflict with one another. This will very certainly create unintended flaws in the software. While these may not have an immediate impact on software development, they may lead to significant problems in the future, making it difficult to focus on the error zone.
This is when repository managers, like GitHub and GitLab come in handy. They safeguard the source code from flaws and conflicts. Running the code files via either of the two systems makes it simple to track changes.
Table of Contents (TOC)
- GitHub vs GitLab
- What is GitHub?
- Features of GitHub
- What is GitLab?
- Features of GitLab
- Similarities between GitHub vs GitLab
GitHub vs GitLab
For better understanding and clarity, let's go through GitHub vs GitLab in a tabular format.
| Parameter | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum hardware requirement | 4 vCPUs, 32 GB RAM, 150 GB attached storage, 200 GB root storage support up to 20 light users. | 4 vCPU and 4 GB RAM support up to 500 users |
| Configuration is done by | Using the GitHub admin web interface and clicking Save changes. | Editing the GitLab configuration file and running reconfigure. |
| Requires a dedicated backup host | Yes | No |
| Allows horizontal scaling | No | Yes |
| Has true HA (High Availability) | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Allows users to make public repository | No | Yes |
| Allows users to have unlimited free repository | Yes | No |
| Provides the feature of navigation into repository | No. GitHub permits users to navigate usability. | Yes |
| Has project development charts feature | No | Yes |
| Security | Less secure | More secure |
| Consists of Security Dashboard | No | Yes |
| Consists of License Compliance | No | Yes |
| Owned by | Microsoft Corporation | GitLab Inc. |
| Advantage | It helps to create an organized document for the project and share the work in front of the public. | It is a cloud-native application that is highly secure and freely available. |
| Disadvantage | It is a limited private repository and supports only Git version control. | Consists of many bugs that make the user experience sloppy |
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What is GitHub?
GitHub is a website and cloud-based service that allows developers to save, manage, and track changes to their code.
GitHub is an organization that provides cloud-based Git repository hosting. The GitHub interface is straightforward enough that even inexperienced programmers can use it. Without GitHub, utilizing Git often necessitates more technical know-how and command-line proficiency.
For more information, you can also explore: Tutorial – How to Use GitHub
Features of GitHub
Some of the most popular features of GitHub are:
- Includes a Syntax highlight feature
- Specifies project milestones and labels
- Provides for a comparison view of branches
- Allows publishing and hosting websites within GitHub using GitHub Pages
- Allows for the integration of third-party APIs for bug tracking and cloud hosting
You can also explore: GitHub/Git Tips and Tricks
What is GitLab?
GitLab is a web-based Git repository that offers free open and private repositories, issue tracking, and wikis.
GitLab is a private software firm that provides a centralized server for managing Git repositories and simplifying administration responsibilities for many corporations worldwide. It assists teams in shortening product lifecycles and increasing productivity, which delivers value for customers.
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Features of GitLab
Some of the most popular features of GitLab are:
- Aids in the upkeep of a repository on a server.
- Enhances user permission and branch protection are enhanced
- Contains a more intuitive user interface and authentication features
- Provides tools for effective development such as Time Tracking, Group Milestones, and Issue Tracker, among others
Similarities Between GitHub vs GitLab
Now that we’ve examined the differences between GitHub and GitLab let’s look at some of the similarities between the two.
- Both GitHub and GitLab provide free plans.
- Each of these services provides web-based open-source repositories.
- Both services are hosted on Linux servers and have bug trackers.
- Both GitHub and GitLab have command-line interfaces (CLI) for advanced coders.
You can also explore: CPU vs GPU? What’s the Difference?
Conclusion
Because of its big community and user-configurable structure, GitHub availability is higher and more prevalent among developers. At the same time, GitLab is robust and offers more entrepreneur plans and features. As a result, if your requirements seem to be more flexible and you wish to pay less money, GitLab may be a better choice. However, if you have confidence in 40 million+ developers, GitHub should be your first choice.
You will be able to employ these services more successfully now that you have a good understanding of GitHub vs GitLab.
FAQs
GitHub vs GitLab - What's the difference in terms of minimum hardware requirements?
The minimum hardware requirement for GitHub is 4 vCPUs, 32 GB RAM, 150 GB attached storage, and 200 GB root storage to support up to 20 light users. The minimum hardware requirement for GitLab is four vCPU and 4 GB RAM to support up to 500 users.
GitHub vs GitLab - What's the difference in terms of advantages?
GitHub helps to create an organized document for the project and share the work in front of the public. On the other hand, GitLab is a cloud-native application that is highly secure and freely available.
GitHub vs GitLab - What's the difference in terms of disadvantages?
GitHub is a limited private repository that supports only Git version control, whereas GitLab contains many bugs that make the user experience sloppy.
GitHub vs GitLab - Which is better?
It depends upon one's requirements. Because of its big community and user-configurable structure, GitHub availability is higher and more prevalent among developers. At the same time, GitLab is robust and offers more entrepreneur plans and features. As a result, if your requirements seem to be more flexible and you wish to pay less money, GitLab may be a better choice. However, if you have confidence in 40 million+ developers, GitHub should be your first choice.
What is GitHub primarily used for?
GitHub is primarily used for version control and collaboration on software development projects. It allows developers to host, share, and manage code repositories. Users can track changes, collaborate with others, and contribute to open-source projects, making it a popular choice for both individual developers and large teams.
How does GitLab enhance CI/CD processes?
GitLab enhances CI/CD processes by integrating these functions directly into its platform. It provides tools for automated testing, building, and deployment directly from the repository. GitLab allows users to define their CI/CD pipelines using simple YAML files, making it easy to customize workflows.
What are the privacy features of GitLab?
GitLab offers several privacy features that prioritize user control over their projects. Users can set project visibility to private, internal, or public. Besides these, it allows for granular access controls, ensuring only authorized users can view or contribute to repositories. GitLab also provides the ability to self-host, enhancing data security.
Which platform is better for open-source projects?
GitHub is generally considered better for open-source projects due to its larger community and visibility. It hosts millions of open-source repositories, making it easier for developers to collaborate, share code, and find support. The extensive user base helps attract contributions, enhancing project growth and engagement.
Anshuman Singh is an accomplished content writer with over three years of experience specializing in cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, and software testing. Known for his clear, concise, and informative wr... Read Full Bio
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