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Gitea vs Gitlab: Which Source Code Management Is Better in 2026?

Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.

Gitea
Gitea
Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
Custom

in Source Code Management

Gitlab
Gitlab
Leads 5/9
Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
$29/mo
Jump to scorecard Ask SIA

The Short Answer

Gitea vs Gitlab, in 15 seconds

Choose Gitea if…

  • You prefer Gitea's approach and ecosystem

Choose Gitlab if…

  • You want the lower entry price
  • You need a genuinely free plan
  • You have strict security & compliance needs
  • You need the broader feature set

Head-to-Head Scorecard

How Gitea and Gitlab score

Gitlab leads on 5 of 9 measured dimensions.

  • Customer Rating

    Average score from verified user reviews

    Even
    Gitea
    No reviews
    Gitlab
    No reviews

  • Review Volume

    Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption

    Even
    Gitea
    0
    Gitlab
    0

  • Entry Pricing

    Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)

    Gitlab
    Gitea
    Custom
    Gitlab
    $29/mo

  • Free Access

    Availability of a free plan and/or free trial

    Gitlab
    Gitea
    Free trial
    Gitlab
    Free plan + trial

  • Integrations

    Number of listed third-party integrations

    Even
    Gitea
    6
    Gitlab
    6

  • Features

    Number of listed product capabilities

    Gitlab
    Gitea
    0
    Gitlab
    6

  • AI Features

    Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML

    Even
    Gitea
    ,
    Gitlab
    ,

  • Security & Compliance

    Number of listed compliance certifications

    Gitlab
    Gitea
    2
    Gitlab
    3

  • Platforms & Deployment

    Supported platforms and deployment options

    Gitlab
    Gitea
    4
    Gitlab
    5

Feature Comparison

Gitea vs Gitlab feature breakdown

Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.

Gitea
Gitlab
Overview
User rating
,
,
Pricing model
Quote-based
FREEMIUM
Starting price
Custom
$29/mo
Free version
Free trial
Features
Key capabilities
,
Source code managementCI/CD pipelinesSecurity & compliance scanningAgile planningContainer registrySelf-managed deployment
AI features
,
,
Integrations & API
Integrations
JiraJenkinsGitHub ActionsSlackCI/CDDocker
JiraSlackKubernetesJenkinsTerraformAWS
Public API
Platforms
Deployment
CloudSaaS
CloudSelf-hosted
Platforms
WebAPI
WebCLIAPI
Mobile support
Security & Compliance
Compliance
SOC 2GDPR
SOC 2 Type IIGDPRISO 27001
Vendor
Company
,
,
Verified
Founded
2016
2014
Headquarters
Community / Open Source
San Francisco, California, USA

Pricing Comparison

Gitea vs Gitlab pricing

Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.

Gitea

Custom to start
ProfessionalCustom
  • self-hosted Git hosting
  • Integrations
  • Standard support
  • pull requests and code review
EnterpriseCustom
  • lightweight and easy to run
  • Dedicated support and onboarding
  • issues and project boards
  • Everything in Professional

Gitlab

$29/mo to start
FreeFree
  • Unlimited repositories
  • CI/CD minutes included
  • Basic issue tracking
Premium$29/month
  • Faster code reviews
  • Advanced CI/CD
  • Project & portfolio management
  • Support
Ultimate$99/month
  • Advanced security scanning
  • Compliance management
  • Vulnerability management
  • Portfolio planning

Total cost of ownership factors

Free planGitea Gitlab
Free trial to evaluateGitea Gitlab
Transparent published pricingGitea Gitlab
Public API (build vs. buy add-ons)Gitea Gitlab

Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.

Pros & Cons

Gitea vs Gitlab: strengths and trade-offs

Gitea

Pros

  • Free trial offered
  • Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR
  • Public API available

Cons

  • No free plan
  • Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)

Gitlab

Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Free trial offered
  • Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, ISO 27001
  • Public API available

Cons

    Buyer Fit

    Who should use Gitea vs Gitlab?

    Startups

    Gitlab

    Gitlab keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.

    Small businesses

    Gitlab

    Gitlab offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.

    Agencies

    Gitlab

    Gitlab connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.

    Enterprises

    Gitlab

    Gitlab leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.

    Ecommerce

    Either

    Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.

    SaaS companies

    Gitlab

    Gitlab is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.

    Integration overlap

    Shared integrations (3)

    JiraJenkinsSlack

    Only in Gitea (3)

    GitHub ActionsCI/CDDocker

    Only in Gitlab (3)

    KubernetesTerraformAWS

    Keep Exploring

    Other alternatives worth considering

    Similar source code management products buyers compare alongside Gitea and Gitlab.

    SourceForge

    SourceForge

    Custom
    Beanstalk

    Beanstalk

    Custom
    Gerrit

    Gerrit

    Custom
    Github

    Github

    $4/mo
    More Gitea alternatives →More Gitlab alternatives →

    Ask SIA which solution fits your business

    SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Gitea and Gitlab against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.

    Get a personalised recommendation

    Gitea vs Gitlab, Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between Gitea and Gitlab?

    Gitea and Gitlab are both Source Code Management solutions. Gitea is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Gitlab is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.

    Which is better, Gitea or Gitlab?

    Based on user ratings, Gitea scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.

    Which is cheaper, Gitea or Gitlab?

    Gitlab is the more affordable option, starting at $29/month.

    Does Gitea or Gitlab have a free plan?

    Gitlab offers a free plan. Gitea does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.

    Can I switch from Gitea to Gitlab?

    Switching between Gitea and Gitlab is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.

    Who should use Gitea vs Gitlab?

    Gitea is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Gitlab works well for teams looking to start free and scale.

    Our Verdict

    The bottom line on Gitea vs Gitlab

    Best Overall

    Either

    It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.

    Best for Startups

    Gitlab

    Gitlab has the friendliest entry point for new teams.

    Best for Enterprise

    Gitlab

    Gitlab leads on compliance and feature breadth.

    Best Value

    Gitlab

    Gitlab delivers the lowest cost to get started.

    Best AI Features

    Either

    Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.

    Highest Rated

    Either

    Both earn equal user ratings.

    Ready to decide between Gitea and Gitlab?

    Visit Gitea Visit Gitlab Ask SIA
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