GitLab and GitHub are both web-based repositories that help with code management and sharing local file changes with a remote repository. As the files on the internet keep changing from time to time, all the data is stored in a repository to be accessed later. Git development to track the changes in a source code requires both GitHub and GitLab.
A software development life cycle (SDLC) consists of making amends to the existing source code, and sometimes, even creating new source code. Most developers were simultaneously on different parts of code, and so, sometimes, the modifications in the code might conflict with each other. This is likely to introduce unwanted bugs in the software. While these might not affect software development in the beginning, they could lead to severe errors in the future, making it difficult to zero down the error zone.
This is where repository managers, like GitHub and GitLab, prove useful. They protect the source code from bugs and conflicting issues. It is easy to track changes in the code files by running them through any of the two systems.
Since both GitHub and GitLab are version control systems (VCS), it can be difficult to choose one of the two.
The most significant difference between the two is that while GitHub is a collaboration platform that helps review and manage codes remotely, GitLab is majorly focused on DevOps and CI/CD. GitHub is more popular amongst the developers as it holds millions of repositories, but recently GitLab has been gaining popularity, as the company continues to add new features to make it more competitive and user-friendly.
Learn more: Top 30 Git Commands You Should Know About
Comparison Between GitHub and GitLab
Both systems – GitHub and GitLab – enable source code handling and help developers to track local file changes. Developers can also share these changes with a remote repository. But there are significant differences between both the systems.
| Feature | GitHub | GitLab | |
| Fees | GitHub projects are free and open to all with publicly shared codes. | GitLab is a repository that only lets its team of web developers collaborate on codes. | |
| Location | GitHub doesn’t allow locating a repository inside an organization in the free plan. | GitLab allows its users to locate a repository inside an organization while using the free plan. | |
| Issue Tracker | The issue tracker allows pulling requests so that the raised issues are automatically closed upon being merged to another repose. | Here, the issue tracker allows its users to associate issues with PRs to be closed automatically. | |
| Documentation | GitHub documents are organized in a series of various guides with each guide covers a particular platform. | GitLab documents are similar to documentation for a language with a search bar, listing all the documents required for the installer. | |
| Integration | There is no built-in continuous integration in GitHub. It is provided by third-party vendors. | GitLab offers 100% built-in integration. They favor their own integration tools with continuous developments. | |
| Authentication | Authenticating who can and cannot use the repository can be set according to their role. | Here, a developer has the authority to decide whether someone should access a repository. | |
| Community | GitHub boasts of a large community of developers. It has highly active millions of users to discuss problems with. | GitLab hosts community events connecting contributors with open-source systems. | |
| Platform | It has a development platform used to store projects. It provides features such as task management, bug tracking, etc. | GitLab provides web-based DevOps internal management of repositories. | |
| Inner-sourcing | Developers are allowed to promote inner sourcing of internal repositories. | GitLab doesn’t allow inner sourcing. | |
| Confidential Issues | This module creates confidential issues that are visible only to project members. | GitLab lacks this the confidential issue feature. | |
Check out: Git vs Github: Difference Between Git and Github
Pros and Cons of GitHub
Pros
- Amazing system for the open-source codebase
- Allows easy sharing
- Has a sophisticated and user-friendly UI
- Offers pull requests and comments
- Has a large community
- Easy setup
- Allows remote collaboration
- Provides with easy control features
Cons
- Doesn’t offer very good API development
- Slightly expensive for those in search of private repository
- It is not very features
Pros and Cons of GitLab
Pros
- Has a consistent addition of new features
- Offers pull requests and code reviews
- Has a CLI user experience
- Offers package management
- Supports CI/CD lifecycle
- Easy maintenance of codes
Cons
- Problematic upgrade process
- Lacks some enterprise-level features
- Has quite a lot of bugs
- Small community
Also Read: Top 30 Git Interview Questions & Answers You Need To Know
Conclusion
If your requirement is more flexible and you want to spend less money, then GitLab can be a better option. But if you have your trust in 40 million+ developers, then GitHub should be the one to opt for. GitHub availability is higher and more common amongst the developers, given to its large community and user-configurable system. At the same time, GitLab is also strong and comes with larger entrepreneur plans and features.
GitLab has some notable key advantages over GitHub as it provides developers with an unlimited number of private repositories to be used with a built-in continuous integration system.
The major difference between GitHub and GitLab is the platform each philosophy presents. GitHub has higher availability and is more focused on infrastructure performance, while GitLab is more focused on offering a features-based system with a centralized, integrated platform for web developers.
If you are working on a larger project in collaboration with numerous developers, then GitHub can be the better choice. On the other hand, if the project requires continuous integration, then GitLab can be leaned upon.
For more insights, get in touch with the experts at upGrad, and we will help you decide between the two!
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