
GitHub
The largest Git hosting platform, with pull requests, Actions CI/CD, packages and security tools.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About GitHub
GitHub is where most open-source projects and a large share of companies host their Git repositories. Around the repository it adds pull requests and code review, issues and project boards, wikis, discussions, GitHub Actions for CI/CD, a package registry, Codespaces cloud dev environments, Pages for static sites, and security features such as Dependabot, code scanning and secret protection. Its network effect is the main reason people stay: contributors, integrations and hiring all assume GitHub. Microsoft owns it, and AI features, led by Copilot, are increasingly woven through the product. The free plan covers unlimited public and private repositories with a monthly allowance of Actions minutes; Team and Enterprise plans are billed per user and add protected branches on private repos, required reviewers, SSO, audit logs and more. Enterprise Server is available for self-hosting. It runs in the browser, with a desktop app, CLI and mobile apps.
Best for: Most teams and open-source projects that want the default Git platform with the biggest ecosystem.
Pros and cons
What works
- Largest developer community and integration ecosystem
- Free private repositories with built-in CI minutes
- Strong code review and security tooling
Why people leave
- Advanced security and AI features cost extra
- Self-hosted Enterprise Server is expensive
- Owned by Microsoft, which some open-source projects avoid
Top GitHub alternatives
See all 6- 1
GitLab66.5One application for code, CI/CD and DevSecOps, with a self-managed open-core edition.
- 2
Bitbucket62.6Tighter Jira integration for teams already using Atlassian tools.
- 3
Codeberg59.6Non-profit, community-run hosting for free and open-source projects.
- 4
Forgejo57.2Self-host a lightweight forge with Actions-compatible CI and full control.
- 5
Gitea55.3Easy-to-run self-hosted Git service with a GitHub-like interface.
Why people left GitHub
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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GitHub: common questions
Is GitHub free?
GitHub has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Unlimited public and private repositories (checked on GitHub's own site).
Is GitHub open source?
No, GitHub is not open source. Open-source alternatives include GitLab, Forgejo and Gitea.
What platforms does GitHub run on?
GitHub is available for Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to GitHub?
The highest-ranked GitHub alternatives right now are GitLab, Bitbucket and Codeberg. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.