Best GitLab Alternatives Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best GitLab alternatives:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
DevOps platforms help teams manage code, automate builds, and deliver software more reliably.
You might start looking for a GitLab alternative if you’re running into limited integrations, slow pipelines, or a user interface that doesn’t match your team’s workflow. Switching tools is never easy, but the right platform can improve collaboration, speed up deployments, and support more consistent development practices.
I’ve worked with engineering and DevOps teams to evaluate platforms based on real project demands, from scaling CI/CD to improving developer experience. This guide draws on those experiences to help you pick a tool that fits how your team actually works.
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Best GitLab Alternatives Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top GitLab alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for AI-assisted coding | 30-day free trial available | From $4/user/month | Website | |
2 | Best for Jira integration | Free plan available | From $3.30/user/month | Website | |
3 | Best for CI/CD automation | Free demo available | Free to use | Website | |
4 | Best for Microsoft integration | Free demo available | From $6/user/month | Website | |
5 | Best for continuous integration | 14-day free trial + demo available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website | |
6 | Best for Atlassian pipelines | 30-day free trial | From $1,200 | Website | |
7 | Best for open-source projects | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
8 | Best for GitHub CI pipelines | Free demo available | From $13.75/month (billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best for project management | 14-day free trial | From $8/user/month | Website | |
10 | Best for distributed version control | Free demo available | Free to use | Website |
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Docker
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Pulumi
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
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Best GitLab Alternatives Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best GitLab alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
GitHub is a development platform that caters to software developers, project managers, and IT teams. It provides source code management, version control, and collaboration tools to enhance project efficiency and team coordination.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: GitHub's AI-assisted coding helps your team write code faster and with fewer errors. The Copilot feature offers code suggestions and automates repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity.
GitHub's user-friendly interface and extensive community support make it accessible for all team members. Its focus on AI integration sets it apart, providing a unique edge over GitLab.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a customizable project board, code review tools, and issue tracking. The project board lets you manage tasks visually, making it easier to track progress. Code review tools facilitate team collaboration and ensure code quality, while issue tracking helps prioritize and resolve problems efficiently.
Integrations include Slack, Trello, Jira, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Zendesk, Heroku, AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Large community support
- Extensive documentation
- Strong code review features
Cons:
- Limited built-in CI/CD tools
- Complex permission settings
BitBucket is a web-based version control repository hosting service for source code and development projects. It's mainly used by software developers and teams who need to manage their code repositories and collaborate effectively.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: BitBucket's strong integration with Jira makes it a great choice if your team uses Jira for project management. The ability to link issues directly to commits helps keep your development and project management in sync. BitBucket also offers unlimited private repositories, which is ideal for teams who need privacy. Its focus on supporting multiple version control systems, including Git and Mercurial, adds flexibility compared to GitLab.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include branch permissions, smart mirroring, and pull request functionality. Branch permissions allow you to control access to specific parts of your code, enhancing security. Smart mirroring speeds up cloning and fetching from remote repositories, which helps your team save time.
Integrations include Jira, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Bamboo, Jenkins, Crucible, Fisheye, Confluence, and HipChat.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced branch permissions
- Supports multiple version control systems
- Unlimited private repositories
Cons:
- Learning curve for new users
- Requires an Atlassian account
Jenkins is an open-source automation server that is widely used by developers and IT teams to build, test, and deploy software. It supports continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), making it a key tool for automating the software development process.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: Jenkins excels in CI/CD automation, providing extensive support for building and deploying applications. Its flexible pipeline system allows you to customize workflows to fit your team's needs.
Jenkins offers a vast library of plugins, which enhances its functionality and adaptability. Unlike GitLab, Jenkins is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the automation server to your specific requirements.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include workflow automation, distributed builds, and a rich plugin ecosystem. Workflow automation helps you manage complex build processes with ease. Distributed builds enable you to scale your CI/CD processes across multiple machines, improving efficiency.
Integrations include GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Slack, Jira, and Kubernetes.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive plugin library
- Flexible pipeline system
- Highly customizable workflows
Cons:
- Requires maintenance and updates
- Steep learning curve
Azure DevOps is a cloud-based DevOps service for planning, developing, testing, and delivering software. It's used by developers, project managers, and IT professionals who require a comprehensive suite of tools to manage their software development lifecycle.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: Azure DevOps offers deep integration with Microsoft's ecosystem, making it a solid choice if your team relies on Microsoft products. It provides extensive support for CI/CD pipelines, helping automate your software delivery process.
The tool includes Azure Repos, Azure Pipelines, and Azure Boards, which together offer version control, build automation, and project management. These features make it a versatile platform for teams seeking a unified solution for development and deployment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include release management, test plans, and artifact management. Release management automates deployments and tracks releases efficiently, while test plans help manage and execute tests to ensure software quality. Artifact management stores and organizes packages, making code sharing and reuse easier across projects.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Slack, Jira, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Visual Studio, Eclipse, and ServiceNow.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Scalable for large teams
- Versatile project management tools
Cons:
- Can be complex for small projects
- Requires technical expertise to set up
TeamCity is a continuous integration and build management system designed for developers and IT teams to automate and optimize their software delivery processes. It supports building, testing, and deploying applications efficiently.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: TeamCity excels in continuous integration, providing detailed build history and real-time feedback on build processes. Its parallel builds feature allows your team to run multiple builds simultaneously, saving time. The customizable build pipeline lets you tailor processes to fit your team's workflow.
Unlike GitLab, TeamCity offers extensive support for various build runners and version control systems, enhancing flexibility in your development environment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include build failure conditions, cloud-based build agents, and agent management. Build failure conditions help detect and address issues early to maintain quality. Cloud-based agents offer scalable resources, while agent management lets you control and optimize your build environment.
Integrations include GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Slack, Jira, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed build history
- Supports parallel builds
- Customizable build pipelines
Cons:
- Initial setup complexity
- Requires configuration knowledge
Bamboo is a continuous integration and deployment server built for teams using Bitbucket and Jira. It’s designed to help dev teams automate builds, tests, and releases with tight integration across the Atlassian ecosystem.
Why Bamboo is a good GitLab alternative: Bamboo works best if your team already uses Atlassian tools and wants everything to stay in one place. It supports build plans that connect directly to Jira issues, so your team can track progress and releases in real time.
Built-in deployment projects make it easier to manage environments and control release workflows. It also gives you visibility into the full delivery pipeline without needing to switch between tools.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include custom-built agents that let you scale capacity based on your team's needs. You can run parallel batch tests and manage deployment triggers based on successful builds. Built-in permissions give you control over who can deploy, edit, or view build results.
Integrations include Bitbucket, Jira Software, Fisheye, Crucible, Clover, Crowd, Git, and Mercurial.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scales with additional agents
- Clear release and deployment tracking
- Easy setup with Jira and Bitbucket
Cons:
- Some config tasks need scripting
- Limited plugin marketplace
SourceForge is a web-based platform that provides tools for developers to manage and distribute open-source software projects. It caters to developers and open-source enthusiasts who need a space to collaborate and share their work with the community.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: SourceForge offers a centralized location for hosting and managing open-source projects, making it ideal if your team focuses on open-source development. It provides project management tools, version control, and bug tracking to help your team stay organized.
SourceForge also offers a community-driven environment, allowing you to connect with other developers and share ideas. Its focus on open-source projects sets it apart from GitLab, which caters to a broader range of development needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include project hosting, download statistics, and bug tracking. Project hosting lets your team store and manage code in one central location. Download statistics provide insights into project usage, while bug tracking helps identify and resolve issues to maintain quality.
Integrations include GitHub, Bitbucket, Jira, Jenkins, Slack, Trello, Asana, Confluence, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Ideal for open-source projects
- Community-driven environment
- Centralized project hosting
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Less suited for private projects
TravisCI is a continuous integration platform built for open source and private projects hosted on GitHub. It helps your team automate testing and deployment across different environments.
Why TravisCI is a good GitLab alternative: TravisCI is tightly integrated with GitHub, so your team can trigger builds automatically with each commit. It supports multiple languages and runtimes, which helps you test apps across varied stacks.
Configuration happens in a single YAML file in your repo, keeping your setup simple and version-controlled. You also get built-in support for parallel builds and matrix testing to speed up feedback loops.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include build stages that let you control job order and dependencies. You can use encrypted environment variables to manage secrets securely during builds. Caching options help reduce build times by reusing data between jobs.
Integrations include GitHub, Bitbucket, Slack, Asana, Heroku, Docker Hub, npm, AWS, Azure, and Sauce Labs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good visibility into build logs
- Fast setup with GitHub repos
- Strong support for open source projects
Cons:
- Can be tricky to debug matrix builds
- Limited control over hosted infrastructure
Jira is a project management tool designed for agile teams to plan, track, and manage software development projects. It caters to developers, project managers, and teams looking to improve their workflow and collaboration.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: Jira excels in project management, offering features like agile boards and backlog prioritization that help your team stay organized. The tool allows you to create customizable workflows, ensuring that your projects align with your team's specific processes.
Jira's reporting and analytics capabilities provide insights into your team's performance and project progress. Unlike GitLab, Jira focuses on enhancing project management and collaboration among team members.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include roadmaps, advanced search, and customizable dashboards. Roadmaps help visualize your project’s timeline and objectives for better planning. Advanced search with JQL and personalized dashboards make it easy to track issues and monitor team progress.
Integrations include Confluence, Bitbucket, Slack, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Trello, Zoom, Google Drive, Zendesk, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced search capabilities
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Strong project management features
Cons:
- Complex configuration options
- Can be overwhelming for new users
Mercurial is a distributed version control system designed for developers who need a fast and efficient way to manage code changes across multiple projects. It caters to teams looking to maintain robust control over their source code in a distributed environment.
Why it's a good GitLab alternative: Mercurial offers a simpler command-line interface, which can be easier for your team to learn and use effectively. It supports distributed workflows, allowing team members to work independently and merge changes seamlessly.
Mercurial's scalability makes it suitable for large projects with many contributors. Unlike GitLab, Mercurial focuses on providing a lightweight and efficient version control system without the added complexity of a full DevOps platform.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include efficient branching, lightweight tagging, and fast performance. Efficient branching allows you to create and manage branches quickly, enhancing collaboration. Lightweight tagging helps you organize code versions without adding overhead. Fast performance ensures that your team can handle large repositories and complex histories with ease.
Integrations include TortoiseHg, Bitbucket, Phabricator, Kiln, RhodeCode, Kallithea, Heptapod, Bamboo, Jenkins, and Atlassian Crucible.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable for large projects
- Supports distributed workflows
- Simple command-line interface
Cons:
- Fewer third-party integrations
- Limited built-in collaboration tools
Other GitLab Alternatives
Here are some additional GitLab alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- CircleCI
For fast build testing
- AWS CodeCommit
For AWS integration
- RhodeCode
For enterprise security
- Launchpad
For open-source collaboration
- Plastic SCM
For game development teams
- IBM Rational ClearCase
For complex software builds
- Tuleap
For agile project management
- Perforce
For large-scale projects
- Crucible (by Atlassian)
For peer code reviews
- Subversion (SVN)
For centralized version control
GitLab Alternatives Selection Criteria
When selecting the best GitLab alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to DevOps Platform products, like scalability and integration capabilities. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Code repository management
- Continuous integration and delivery
- Version control
- Issue tracking
- Collaboration tools
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- AI-driven code suggestions
- Built-in security scanning
- Customizable workflows
- Multi-cloud deployment support
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Ease of navigation
- Customization options
- Accessibility features
- Mobile compatibility
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Onboarding templates
- Webinars and live sessions
- Chatbot assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple support channels
- Response time
- Technical expertise
- Availability of self-help resources
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Transparent pricing
- Features-to-cost ratio
- Scalability of pricing plans
- Discounts for long-term commitments
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Feedback on feature set
- Comments on reliability
- Support experience
- Ease of use feedback
What Is GitLab?
GitLab is a DevOps Platform that supports the entire software development lifecycle. It's typically used by developers, project managers, and IT operations teams looking to improve collaboration and efficiency.
Source code management, continuous integration, and issue tracking features help with organizing projects and enhancing team productivity. Overall, GitLab offers a unified platform that simplifies the development process for your team.
Why Look For A GitLab Alternative?
While GitLab is a good choice of DevOps Platform, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a GitLab alternative because…
- You need better integration with specific tools
- Your team requires more advanced analytics
- You want a simpler user interface
- Your project demands higher scalability
- You need better geographic availability
- Your team needs more flexible pricing options
If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several DevOps Platform options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with GitLab and looking for alternative solutions.
GitLab Key Features
Here are some of the key features of GitLab to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Planning Tools: Manage portfolios and track progress with epics and milestones.
- Source Code Management: Enable version control and collaboration on code.
- Continuous Integration/Delivery: Automate testing and deployment processes.
- Security and Compliance: Manage software supply chain security.
- Observability and Measurement: Gain insights into project performance.
- Task Management: Organize tasks by breaking down issues into smaller components.
- Issue Analytics: Analyze issues at the group level for actionable insights.
- Jira Integration: Connect with Jira for enhanced project management.
- Time Tracking: Record time spent on issues and merge requests.
- GitLab Pages: Deploy static websites with features like custom domains and HTTPS support.
What's Next?
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