AWS CodeCommit
Managed source control service for hosting private Git repositories securely in AWS
GitLab
Complete DevOps platform for Git repository management and CI/CD
Open-core DevOps platform combining Git repository management, code review, issue tracking, and complete CI/CD pipelines in a single application.
Overview
Complete DevOps Platform
GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform built on Ruby on Rails that unifies source code management, continuous integration, and deployment automation. Trusted by over 100,000 organizations, it provides fine-grained access controls for Git repositories, merge request workflows for code review, and integrated issue tracking with boards and wikis for every project.
Flexible Deployment Options
Available in three editions—Community Edition (MIT licensed), Enterprise Edition (with advanced features for larger teams), and JiHu Edition (for the Chinese market)—GitLab supports both self-hosted and cloud deployments. The platform runs on PostgreSQL, Redis, and modern Ruby infrastructure, with Omnibus packages simplifying installation across Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, RHEL, and OpenSUSE.
Built for Scale
While the Community Edition serves individual developers and small teams, Enterprise Edition targets organizations exceeding 100 users with enhanced collaboration and governance features. The platform's architecture supports complete CI/CD pipelines that build, test, and deploy applications, making it the most popular self-hosted Git management solution for teams requiring on-premises control.
Highlights
Unified Git management, code review, and CI/CD pipelines in one platform
Fine-grained repository access controls and merge request workflows
Integrated issue tracking, boards, and wiki for every project
Self-hosted deployment with Omnibus packages or cloud-hosted option
Pros
- Complete DevOps toolchain eliminates need for multiple integrations
- Open-core model with MIT-licensed Community Edition available
- Proven at scale with 100,000+ organizations using the platform
- Comprehensive documentation and GitLab Development Kit for contributors
Considerations
- Enterprise features require paid subscription for teams over 100 users
- Ruby on Rails stack requires specific infrastructure dependencies
- Self-hosted deployment demands PostgreSQL, Redis, and system administration
- Resource-intensive compared to lightweight Git hosting solutions
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider GitLab, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Organizations requiring self-hosted Git management with full DevOps capabilities
- Teams consolidating multiple tools into a single integrated platform
- Enterprises needing fine-grained access controls and compliance features
- Development teams building complete CI/CD pipelines alongside code repositories
Not ideal when
- Individual developers seeking minimal Git hosting without CI/CD overhead
- Teams without infrastructure capacity for PostgreSQL and Redis dependencies
- Organizations preferring lightweight, single-purpose version control tools
- Projects requiring Windows-native deployment environments
How teams use it
Enterprise Source Code Management
Centralize Git repositories with role-based access controls, audit logs, and compliance features for regulated industries
End-to-End CI/CD Automation
Build complete pipelines that test, scan, and deploy applications directly from merge requests without external tools
Collaborative Code Review Workflows
Streamline peer review with merge requests, inline comments, and approval rules before merging to protected branches
Project Management Integration
Track issues, plan sprints with boards, and maintain documentation in wikis alongside code in a unified workspace
Tech snapshot
Ruby67%
JavaScript19%
Vue7%
PLpgSQL3%
Haml1%
Go1%
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Community and Enterprise editions?
Community Edition (CE) is MIT-licensed and freely available. Enterprise Edition (EE) adds features for organizations over 100 users and requires a paid subscription with official support.
Can I self-host GitLab or must I use the cloud service?
GitLab supports both self-hosted deployment via Omnibus packages and cloud hosting at GitLab.com. Self-hosting requires PostgreSQL 16.5+, Redis 6.0+, and Ruby 3.2.5.
What infrastructure is required to run GitLab?
GitLab runs on Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, RHEL, or OpenSUSE with PostgreSQL 16.5+, Redis 6.0+, Git 2.33+, and Ruby 3.2.5. Omnibus packages simplify installation and dependency management.
Is GitLab suitable for small teams or only enterprises?
Community Edition serves teams of any size. Enterprise Edition targets organizations exceeding 100 users with advanced collaboration, security, and governance capabilities.
How do I contribute to GitLab development?
Development occurs on GitLab.com. Use the GitLab Development Kit (GDK) to set up your environment. Most code is MIT-licensed; proprietary EE features in /ee are source-available and accept contributions.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 24,233
- Watchers
- 24,233
- Forks
- 5,779
Repo age14 years old
Last commit14 hours ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageRuby
Last synced 11 hours ago