GitHub Actions is a workflow automation tool integrated into GitHub repositories, while GitLab is a complete DevOps platform with built-in CI/CD, project management, and security features. GitHub Actions excels for simple CI/CD needs within GitHub, while GitLab provides an all-in-one alternative with more comprehensive features for teams seeking a unified platform.
GitHub Actions vs GitLab — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose GitHub Actions if you're already using GitHub, need simple-to-moderate CI/CD, want the largest ecosystem of reusable workflows, and prefer generous free minutes for public repositories. Choose GitLab if you need an all-in-one platform combining DevOps, project management, and security scanning without additional costs, or if you want self-hosted control with an open-source option.
Native GitHub CI/CD platform with free unlimited minutes for public repos
DevOps platform providing Git hosting, CI/CD pipelines, and end-to-end software delivery tools.
SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
GitHub Actions vs GitLab — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for GitHub Actions vs GitLab with 168 attributes.
Free Monthly CI/CD Minutes (Private Repos)
Monthly Infrastructure Cost (10-developer team)
Configuration File Complexity (1-5 scale)
Monthly Cost (5 Private Repos, 100 builds/month)
Default Concurrent Jobs (Free/Base Tier)
Monthly Cost for Private Repos (Small Team)
Maximum CI/CD Pipeline Minutes (free tier/month)
GitHub Actions vs GitLab — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for GitHub Actions vs GitLab.
Can I use GitHub Actions outside of GitHub repositories?
No, GitHub Actions is exclusively integrated into GitHub repositories and cannot be used for repositories hosted on GitLab, Bitbucket, or other platforms. However, GitHub Actions can be triggered by webhooks from external systems.
What's the cost difference between GitHub Actions and GitLab for a startup team of 5 people?
For a 5-person team with private repos: GitHub Actions offers 2,000 free CI/CD minutes monthly (sufficient for small teams), while GitLab's Free tier provides only 400 minutes. For advanced security scanning, GitHub requires Advanced Security at $200/month, while GitLab's Ultimate tier at $99/month includes SAST, DAST, and container scanning. For startups, GitHub Actions is typically cheaper initially, but GitLab becomes cost-effective if you need security features.
Does GitLab have a free self-hosted option?
Yes, GitLab Community Edition is completely free and open-source. You can self-host it on your own servers without licensing fees. GitHub only offers GitHub Enterprise Server as a paid self-hosted option (starting at $231/month per user), making GitLab significantly cheaper for self-hosted deployments.
Which platform has better documentation for CI/CD setup?
GitHub Actions has more extensive third-party tutorials and community content due to its larger user base and marketplace ecosystem. GitLab's official documentation is comprehensive but has fewer community examples. For beginners, GitHub Actions is easier to learn due to the abundance of real-world examples online.
Can I migrate from GitHub Actions to GitLab CI/CD easily?
Partial migration is possible but requires rewriting workflow syntax. GitHub Actions uses YAML with `jobs`, `steps`, and `actions` keywords, while GitLab CI uses different YAML structure with `stages` and `script` blocks. No automated conversion tool exists, so migration requires manual rewriting—typically 4-8 hours of work for moderately complex pipelines.