Gitea vs GitLab
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Gitea and GitLab are credible version control tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Gitea — Lightweight self-hosted Git.
GitLab — The complete DevSecOps platform.
Gitea vs GitLab: side by side
| Dimension | Gitea | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $3/user/mo | Free – $29/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Self Hosters, Developers | Enterprise, Devops Teams |
| Platforms | Self Hosted, Web | Web, Api, Self Hosted |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
Gitea key facts
- Vendor
- Gitea
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $3/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Self Hosted, Web
- Best for
- Self Hosters, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Open source
GitLab key facts
- Vendor
- GitLab Inc.
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $29/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Api, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Enterprise, Devops Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- Remote
Frequently asked questions
Is Gitea better than GitLab?
Neither is universally better — Gitea edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Gitea or GitLab cheaper?
Gitea is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $3/user/mo. Gitea starts at free – $3/user/mo; GitLab starts at free – $29/user/mo.
Can Gitea replace GitLab?
Yes for most teams — both are version control tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.