Top 7 GitHub Alternatives in 2024

Over the last decade, GitHub has become a top platform for version control and collaboration. However, recent well-founded criticisms mean more users are exploring alternatives to GitHub.

One reason for that appears to stem from issues around security. Despite its popularity — more than 100 million developers and over 90% of Fortune 100 companies use it — studies suggest most GitHub Actions workflows are insecure in some way, either through over-privilege, unverified users, or high-risk dependencies.

Meanwhile, some users might find that other platforms like GitHub better meet their specific needs. For example, people who rely heavily on automated testing and deployment might prefer GitLab’s built-in tools or those using Jira for project management might benefit from its tight integration with Bitbucket.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Top 7 Alternatives to GitHub
3. The Bottom Line
4. FAQs
5. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Top 7 Alternatives to GitHub
3. The Bottom Line
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs
5. References

Top 7 Alternatives to GitHub

7. GitLab

GitLab is a web-based DevSecOps platform that aims to streamline your entire software development process, allowing teams to plan, build, and deploy secure code in a single application. GitLab centralizes all DevSecOps functions in one place, making it easy and fast to get things done.

GitLab’s automation tools handle repetitive tasks so your team can focus on more important work. However, GitLab’s extensive features can make it challenging to set up and use, especially for smaller projects or smaller teams.

6. Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a Git-based code hosting and collaboration tool owned by Atlassian that’s designed to simplify teamwork for software development. It integrates with Jira and Trello, making it easier for teams to manage projects and stay on the same page.

Whether you’re writing code, running automated tests, or deploying updates, Bitbucket aims to keep everything organized and efficient. This tool aims to help everyone on your team work together to develop and deploy secure software. Bitbucket’s built-in continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) features are generally considered less advanced than the CI/CD features of some of its competitors, such as GitLab CI/CD.

5. Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps is a set of tools like GitHub from Microsoft designed to help you through the entire software development process. It brings together several features to make work easier — Azure Boards to manage and track your projects, Azure Repos to handle version control, and Azure Pipelines to automate your build and release processes.

For testing, Azure Test Plans helps you manage and run tests, while Azure Artifacts lets you manage and share your software packages.

Since it’s cloud-based, it lets you collaborate with your team members from anywhere. Azure DevOps also supports agile and DevOps practices. However, new users may find Azure DevOps somewhat overwhelming because of its many features and capabilities.

4. Gitea

Gitea is designed to be a GitHub substitute with user-friendly tools for managing your Git repositories from your own server. It’s simple to set up and doesn’t demand a lot of computing power, so it’s a good option for smaller servers or personal projects.

Gitea aims to make it easy for you to create and manage repositories, track issues, and conduct code reviews. And since it’s open source, you can customize it and integrate it with other tools, which means you have control over your data and how it’s hosted.

But since Gitea is more lightweight than its competitors, it may not have some of the advanced features that other Git hosting platforms, such as GitLab, have.

3. AWS CodeCommit

AWS CodeCommit is a cloud service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) for managing and storing your code. It works like GitHub or Bitbucket, but it’s tightly integrated with other AWS services, making it a good choice if you’re already using AWS.

With CodeCommit, you can use common Git commands to work with your code. It also keeps your data secure and lets you automate tasks, such as running tests or deploying code, when changes are made. It’s one of our top picks from the available GitHub free alternatives, with five users being able to use the service without charges, and a generous $1 a month for extra team members.

This makes CodeCommit a strong tool for securely managing your code in AWS. CodeCommit has limitations on file size and repository size that may be a problem for certain projects, such as those with large media files.

2. GitKraken

GitKraken aims to make it easier for you to manage your code projects. It displays your Git projects clearly, showing how your code changes over time. You can see your project’s history, manage different versions, and work with others without using complex commands.

GitKraken syncs with popular services, such as GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, so you can keep your work up to date.

It offers a user-friendly design to help you understand and manage your code changes, whether you’re a beginner, or you’ve been using Git for a while. However, since GitKraken can use a lot of system resources, it might run slowly on computers with older or less powerful processors.

1. Gogs

Gogs is an open-source tool you can use to manage your Git coding projects. It’s designed to be simple and easy to use to help you keep track of changes in your code. And you can set it up on your own server or use it in the cloud.

Gogs helps teams work together on code by offering such features as user management, bug tracking, and code review. Gogs is also known for its simplicity and speed, making it a practical option if you’re looking for an easy way to manage your Git repositories.

However, Gogs might not have as many advanced features as other Git tools, which could be a problem if you need more complex functions.

The Bottom Line

Although GitHub is a popular choice for managing code, it might not be the best option for you. If you’re worried about costs, especially if you’re on a tight budget, or you’re working alone, you might want to look at some services like GitHub, but more tailored to your needs.

If you’re concerned about privacy and control, some tools might offer better ways to keep your work secure. And other platforms might also have special features that work better for your needs.

Finding the right tool is about what really matters to you, whether that’s saving money, having more privacy, or getting extra features. Checking out GitHub competitors could help you find a better fit for your projects and make your work easier.

FAQs