GitHub and GitLab Differences: a comparison between DevOps platforms

At the heart of modern software development and the DevOps philosophy, lies a fundamental concept: version control. Every time a team of developers works on a project, they need a structure capable of tracking changes, managing collaborations and ensuring that no line of code is lost or irreparably overwritten. 

In this context, Git - a distributed version control system created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 - has revolutionized the way code is written, shared and maintained. But Git, alone, is only part of the story. The platforms that power it, like GitHub and GitLab, have become central tools for millions of developers worldwide.

What are GitHub and GitLab: two pillars for modern development 

GitHub is perhaps the best-known platform in the tech landscape. Born in 2008, it grew rapidly becoming the preferred meeting point for developers, companies and open source projects. Its success was such that, in 2018, Microsoft decided to acquire it for $7.5 billion in stock. A strategic acquisition that allowed the GitHub ecosystem to grow even more, integrating better with other Microsoft tools like Visual Studio Code and Azure. GitHub has always distinguished itself for its attention to collaboration between developers: public and private repositories, code change requests (pull requests), issue management and a global community are its main strengths.

GitLab, instead, has a different story. Born in 2011 from an idea by two Ukrainian developers and grown as an open source project, GitLab has aimed from the beginning to offer a complete DevOps platform. Its ambition is clear: to allow teams to plan, develop, test, release and monitor software in a single integrated solution. Unlike GitHub, GitLab is entirely open source in its Community version, and many companies -- including SparkFabrik -- choose it precisely for this philosophy and for the possibility of hosting it on-premise, guaranteeing total control over data and workflows.

Despite the differences, GitHub and GitLab share many common foundations. Both rely on Git and revolve around the concept of repository, i.e., the archive where the source code resides. Within a repository you can create branches, or code ramifications to experiment with new features or fix bugs without touching the main version. The fork is instead a copy of a project that allows another developer to work on it freely, perhaps to propose improvements or new features. Finally, pull requests (or merge requests, in GitLab's language) represent the moment when an external contribution is proposed to be integrated into the original code: a practice that, in addition to encouraging collaboration, also strengthens review and quality processes.

Key differences between GitHub and GitLab compared 

Let's see in the table below what are the main differences between GitHub and GitLab. 

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in DevOps platforms 

Artificial intelligence is transforming software development, offering new possibilities to those who write code but also to those who deal with software security, testing and release. If AI was once an experimental component, today modern DevOps and DevSecOps platforms integrate AI directly into workflows, as we explored in depth in our deep dive on AI, DevOps and Platform Engineering. AI's ability to analyze large volumes of data in real time, learn from developer behaviors and provide contextual assistance opens scenarios that until a few years ago seemed like science fiction.

In this context, two absolute protagonists emerge: GitHub Copilot and GitLab Duo. Both represent the embodiment of AI applied to the software lifecycle, albeit with different approaches and philosophies.

GitHub Copilot, developed in collaboration with OpenAI, was one of the first tools to bring generative AI into the hands of developers. Officially introduced in 2021, it spread rapidly thanks to its ability to suggest entire code blocks starting from simple comments or initial lines, drastically reducing writing time and improving productivity. Today Copilot is able to explain the meaning of complex functions, suggest automated tests and even assist in code review, becoming a sort of virtual pair programmer that's always active.

GitLab Duo moves in the same direction but with a broader vision linked to the DevSecOps concept. The goal is not only to support the developer during code writing, but to extend AI to the entire pipeline: from automatic generation of technical documentation, to vulnerability management and creation of intelligent security policies. Among the current functionalities we find contextual suggestions during editing, generation of descriptions for merge requests, natural language assistance through an integrated chat, and predictive capabilities for early detection of errors or compliance issues.

Both solutions represent concrete examples of AI for software development, a growing category that combines artificial intelligence, automation and software engineering. Although we are still at the beginning, the prospects are clear: tools like Copilot and Duo are contributing to redefining what it means to write code, paving the way for a paradigm where artificial intelligence will be increasingly present, not to replace developers, but to enhance their capabilities. The DevOps platforms of the future, increasingly intelligent, collaborative and secure, will inevitably pass through here.

Why at Sparkfabrik we prefer GitLab (and when we use GitHub) 

The decision to standardize GitLab stems from the desire to embrace an open source philosophy that exactly mirrors SparkFabrik's values. In our Company Playbook, publicly available, policies, best practices and processes based on GitLab are defined, starting from the workflow to the lifecycle of merge requests.

GitLab, in its Community edition, offers full transparency of the source code, allowing direct audits and inspections; guarantees absolute control over the platform and flexibility in extending or customizing functionalities thanks to the open core schema. This approach reduces lock-in risk and perfectly aligns the platform with our values of sharing and continuous innovation.

While privileging GitLab, at SparkFabrik we recognize GitHub's role in the global open source ecosystem. GitHub is used when:

• The client already has a consolidated infrastructure on GitHub or requires integration with GitHub Actions and proven app marketplace.
• The project requires maximum visibility on public repositories to attract external contributors.

This hybrid choice allows us to maintain maximum adaptability to market demands, ensuring in any case clear and documented processes through our Company Playbook, where the platform selection criteria for each project are described.

SparkFabrik's preference for GitLab is based on a corporate vision that values transparency, control, flexibility and independence, while the use of GitHub is limited to specific project or client needs, always maintaining high standards of governance and documentation.

GitHub vs GitLab: which DevOps platform to choose for your project? 

The choice between GitHub and GitLab depends mainly on the specific needs of your team and project. GitLab stands out for native CI/CD integration and the "all-in-one" approach, offering a ready-to-use and completely open source solution. GitHub, instead, excels in the extensibility of its ecosystem thanks to GitHub Actions and a vast Marketplace of pre-configured workflows, often proving more economical in basic plans.

There is no "better" platform in absolute terms: the choice depends on your specific team, project, budget and strategy needs. However, for those who value open source, integrated CI/CD and complete control, GitLab often proves to be the most solid and advantageous option. GitHub remains instead the most flexible and economical solution for small teams and projects that prefer an external ecosystem of integrations.

Those looking for an "all-in-one" platform reducing toolchain sprawl will find in GitLab the ideal solution, thanks to CI/CD, complete lifecycle management and integrated DevSecOps. In the comparison of paid plans, GitHub Team ($4/user/month) vs GitLab Premium ($29/user/month) highlights a price gap that can make GitHub more appealing for teams with reduced budgets.

The importance of open source philosophy in the choice 

At SparkFabrik we actively promote a vision where open source is not just a matter of license, but a true cultural manifesto. In our "Open Source Consumption Manifesto", we emphasize the importance of adopting clear guidelines to safely and effectively integrate open source software into business processes, valuing the sharing of best practices and community involvement. During Open Source Day 2025, our experts reiterated that open source is "more than code: it's a collaborative philosophy that drives innovation". And this is also true in the GitLab context, where the benefits of the open source approach reflect the values of healthy innovation, made of transparency, responsibility and agility:

• Transparency: With GitLab Community Edition, the entire source code of the platform is available for anyone who wants to inspect it, analyze it or propose improvements. This openness allows security teams to personally verify the absence of backdoors or unwanted functionalities, a very important aspect, especially in regulated sectors like finance and healthcare. Moreover, transparency strengthens trust, since every code change is publicly tracked through merge requests.
• Flexibility and customization: Being open source, GitLab can be downloaded, modified and adapted without limits to specific business needs. Teams with particular requirements, such as legacy integrations or custom workflows, can extend existing functionalities or create new ones, without waiting for proprietary roadmaps. This freedom is particularly appreciated by startups and rapidly evolving organizations, which need tools capable of growing with them.
• Security through community review: The availability of code favors continuous review by thousands of developers and security researchers worldwide. The community reports bugs and vulnerabilities, contributing to faster patches compared to a closed model. GitLab, moreover, integrates a wide suite of DevSecOps functionalities that leverage these contributions to offer static and dynamic analysis, increasing the protection level of the entire pipeline.
• No vendor lock-in: With GitLab CE you are not tied to a supplier for licenses, updates or support. Companies maintain the freedom to migrate the platform to different clouds or on-premise, without hidden costs or stringent contractual constraints. This strategic aspect guarantees greater independence and the possibility to choose external or internal support services based on business evolution.
• Community factor: GitLab's community counts tens of thousands of contributors, discussion forums and local meetups. This ecosystem provides continuous support, educational resources and plugins created by third parties, accelerating the adoption of new functionalities. SparkFabrik users often highlight how being able to draw from such a vast knowledge base is a competitive advantage for enterprise projects.

In conclusion, we can say that the choice of GitLab reflects the desire to embrace a culture based on open innovation. Paolo Mainardi, co-founder and CTO of SparkFabrik, argues that an "open by default" approach is essential to build resilient and secure solutions, valuing the contribution of every stakeholder. In every project, SparkFabrik integrates GitLab to guarantee transparency in processes, flexibility in customizations and a dynamic ecosystem of partners and community. The adoption of GitLab Community Edition allows us (and the companies that rely on us), to align with a vision of sustainable, collaborative and strategically independent development, all core values of the open source philosophy.