When it comes to source code management and version control, GitLab is a popular choice. However, there are numerous alternatives available that offer unique features, pricing models, and integrations. Whether you are looking for better project management, more robust CI/CD pipelines, or simply need a platform that integrates seamlessly with other tools, there are plenty of options to consider. In this article, we’ll explore the top GitLab alternatives in 2025, each offering its own set of benefits.
1. GitHub: The Most Popular Code Hosting Platform
GitHub is perhaps the most widely recognized code hosting platform available today, with millions of users around the world. Owned by Microsoft, GitHub has gained significant traction in both the open-source community and private enterprise environments. It offers a rich set of tools for version control, collaboration, and continuous integration.
GitHub’s popularity is one of the main reasons many developers choose it over GitLab. The platform is well-integrated with many third-party tools, making it a go-to option for developers seeking seamless workflows. For open-source projects, GitHub’s vast community of developers is a huge advantage. Pull requests, issue tracking, and project boards are all part of the platform’s core functionality, enabling easy collaboration on even the most complex projects.
Another major reason teams prefer GitHub over GitLab is its native CI/CD tool, GitHub Actions. This feature allows teams to automate testing, deployment, and other processes directly from their repositories, saving time and effort on manual integration tasks.
GitHub’s user interface is intuitive, and its integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem (Visual Studio, Azure) provides additional benefits for those using Microsoft tools in their workflow. Whether you are working solo on an open-source project or collaborating in a large organization, GitHub provides everything you need to manage your code effectively.
2. Bitbucket: Best for Teams Using Atlassian Tools
Bitbucket, developed by Atlassian, is another highly popular GitLab alternative. Bitbucket shines in environments where teams are already using Atlassian tools like Jira and Confluence. The seamless integration between Bitbucket and these project management tools is one of its standout features.
Bitbucket allows teams to manage their repositories, plan their projects, and track progress from a single unified platform. If your team is already using Jira for issue tracking or Confluence for documentation, integrating with Bitbucket can significantly enhance productivity. The user interface is simple and efficient, making it easy to manage code and review pull requests.
One of the key advantages of Bitbucket is its support for both Git and Mercurial version control systems. While Git is now the dominant choice, Mercurial is still used in some legacy projects, and Bitbucket allows teams to maintain those repositories without the need for migration.
Bitbucket also provides unlimited private repositories, which is a feature that GitHub also offers, but Bitbucket’s free plan allows more team members to work on those private repositories without additional costs. This makes it an attractive choice for small teams or startups who need private repository access at no cost.
3. Azure DevOps: A Robust Enterprise Solution
Azure DevOps by Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of development tools, including Git-based repositories, continuous integration, and deployment pipelines, agile project management tools, and more. It’s a complete solution for enterprise teams looking to manage their software development lifecycle from planning through to deployment.
Unlike GitLab, which is focused primarily on Git and DevOps pipelines, Azure DevOps is designed to cover all aspects of the development lifecycle. Teams can plan work, track bugs, and monitor progress using the built-in Azure Boards. The platform integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Visual Studio, providing a consistent development environment across tools.
Azure DevOps also offers advanced features for managing large teams, making it a strong contender for enterprises with complex needs. The platform allows for fine-grained access control, giving administrators precise control over who can access different parts of a project or repository.
For teams that are heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem or require a highly scalable enterprise-grade solution, Azure DevOps is a top alternative to GitLab. With its powerful project management tools, integration with Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, and customizable pipelines, Azure DevOps ensures that teams can efficiently collaborate on software development projects.
4. AWS CodeCommit: The Ultimate Choice for AWS Users
AWS CodeCommit is a fully managed source control service designed for developers who rely heavily on AWS cloud infrastructure. It provides a secure, scalable, and highly available Git-based version control system that integrates well with other AWS services like CodeBuild and CodeDeploy.
If your development environment is built around AWS, then CodeCommit might be the best GitLab alternative for you. It allows for seamless integration with AWS CI/CD tools and offers robust security features like fine-grained access control and encryption. This makes it a particularly good option for teams that are already using AWS for their infrastructure needs.
While AWS CodeCommit doesn’t have the same breadth of project management tools as some of the other options, it excels in handling version control at scale for teams working on large, distributed projects in the AWS cloud. Its focus on security and scalability makes it an ideal choice for enterprise-level teams that prioritize these features.
5. Perforce Helix Core: Best for Large Teams and Large Assets
Perforce Helix Core is a powerful version control system designed for handling large codebases and binary assets, making it particularly suitable for industries like gaming, automotive, and media production. While GitLab is well-suited for typical code repositories, Perforce excels in managing large binary files, which is a major limitation of Git-based systems.
If your team is working with large repositories, whether they are codebases with massive amounts of data or creative assets like video game textures, Perforce Helix Core is the best choice. It provides fast and scalable performance for large teams working on large-scale projects.
Another advantage of Perforce is its centralized version control system, which contrasts with Git’s distributed model. This makes it easier for large teams to collaborate on projects without having to worry about managing multiple local copies of code. The centralized model also offers stronger support for handling large binaries and large repositories efficiently.
6. GitKraken: The User-Friendly Git Client with Built-In Repository Hosting
GitKraken is a visually appealing and user-friendly Git client that provides both Git repository hosting and project management features. It’s designed to simplify Git workflows with a rich, intuitive user interface. GitKraken’s focus on making Git accessible for users who may not be familiar with the command line makes it a standout choice for teams seeking a more visual way to manage their repositories.
While GitKraken provides Git hosting services, it also integrates with popular platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, making it a versatile option for teams who want a centralized Git interface. The tool’s graphical interface is particularly helpful for visualizing branches, merges, and commits, streamlining collaboration and making Git workflows easier to understand.
For teams that prioritize user experience and want a powerful but easy-to-use Git client, GitKraken is an excellent alternative to GitLab. Its cross-platform support and integration with various Git hosting providers make it a flexible choice for teams working on different operating systems and using different platforms.
Conclusion
Choosing the right version control and project management tool is a critical decision for software development teams. While GitLab is a strong and popular choice, there are many GitLab alternatives that offer unique features, integrations, and advantages depending on your team’s needs. Whether you need seamless project management, integration with specific ecosystems, or advanced security features, platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, and others provide a variety of options for every team and project.
Consider your team’s size, existing tools, and infrastructure when selecting a platform. The best GitLab alternative for your project will depend on how you plan to collaborate, scale your efforts, and integrate with other tools in your development environment.
