10 Best GitHub Alternatives for Developers in 2025

Your search for the best GitHub alternative has landed you on this blog. Well! That’s great news for you. Stop wasting your time browsing through countless options and let us help you find the best one for you.

In the fast-paced world of software engineering, you need a platform that supports collaboration, version control, and effective project management. GitHub has been the leading choice for code hosting and collaboration for a long time, but the software development scene is constantly evolving and challenging the status quo. Now, you probably need a better and more powerful version control system than GitHub.          

Today, we will look into the top 10 GitHub alternatives (comparing features, pricing, and integrations of each platform) to help you supercharge your development process and find the perfect platform for your team. So buckle up and get ready to improve your code management experience. 

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a cloud-based platform that provides Git repository hosting services to individuals and teams to use Git for collaboration and version control. The user interface of the platform is quite intuitive, and even a newbie coder can navigate it easily. Without GitHub, you will need to be tech-savvy and know how to use the command line for using Git. 

Additionally, the platform allows anyone to host a public code repository for free, which makes it extremely popular with open-source projects. The company makes money by selling hosted private code repositories and different business-focused pricing plans. 

What is GitHub Used For?

GitHub is a widely recognized platform designed to facilitate the development, management, and distribution of software code. It serves as a centralized hub where developers can store their projects, collaborate with others, and share their work with a global audience. 

A primary function of GitHub is version control. It enables developers to save and track every modification made to their code, much like maintaining a detailed history of edits. This ensures that previous versions are accessible, offering a safety net if errors occur or changes need to be reversed. It’s an essential feature for professionals aiming to maintain project integrity.

Collaboration is another application of GitHub’s utilities. It allows multiple individuals—whether a small team or a large organization—to contribute to a single project seamlessly. Team members can work on different aspects simultaneously, with GitHub organizing contributions and highlighting who made specific updates. This streamlines workflows, making it invaluable for distributed teams across industries.

Additionally, GitHub encourages knowledge sharing. Developers frequently upload their projects, known as repositories, for others to explore, utilize, or enhance. This is particularly prominent in the open-source community, where freely available code accelerates innovation. Businesses and individuals alike benefit from this collaborative ecosystem, accessing tools and solutions created by others.

GitHub also supports testing and refinement. Integrated features like automated workflows and debugging tools help developers ensure their code performs reliably. Many enterprises leverage these capabilities to accelerate software delivery while maintaining quality.

Key Stats Supporting the Hype Behind GitHub

• GitHub is being used by 100 million developers across the globe, the majority of them are based in the US, India, and China. (Source: GitHub)
• In 2022, the platform had 413 million open-source contributions. (Source: Octoverse)
• Over 90% of Fortune 100 companies have admitted using GitHub. (Source: Octoverse)
• 88% of developers have admitted that GitHub copilot has helped them be more productive and complete projects on time. (Source: GitHub)
• Around 1.5% of internet users have access to GitHub and the platform gets 14 million visitors and 96.42 million impressions per day. (Source: HypeStat)

Why You Should Go for the GitHub Alternative?

GitHub is a premier platform for software development, yet alternatives like GitLab or Bitbucket may better serve your needs with unique benefits. These options provide compelling reasons to explore beyond GitHub, offering tailored solutions for individuals, teams, or organizations. Below are key points to consider:

• Cost Efficiency: While GitHub offers a solid free plan, alternatives like GitLab provide advanced features—such as integrated CI/CD—at no extra charge. This can help startups or independent developers stretch their budgets further without sacrificing essential tools.
• Greater Control and Customization: GitHub hosts projects on its cloud servers, which works for many. However, platforms like GitLab allow self-hosting on your own infrastructure, ideal for companies needing strict security or data control.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Bitbucket integrates seamlessly with Atlassian tools like Jira and Trello. If your team already uses these, an alternative could streamline workflows by aligning with your existing systems.                  
• Improved Performance: Some alternatives, such as GitLab, offer faster workflows for complex projects by combining development, testing, and deployment in one platform. GitHub provides similar options but may require additional setup or paid upgrades.
• Better Fit for Your Needs: GitHub’s dominance is clear, but its design may not suit everyone. Exploring alternatives lets you find a platform that matches your specific work style, project type, or organizational goals more effectively.

Top 10 Alternatives to GitHub for Developers

So, we have found the best GitHub alternatives after extensively researching and getting recommendations from industry experts.           

1. GitLab

GitLab is a robust, open-source code management platform that covers the whole software development lifecycle. It provides features such as issue tracking, wiki pages, and merge requests for project collaboration and communication. Moreover, GitLab enables continuous integration (CI) & deployment via its integrated CI/CD services. 

Features

• Advanced project and portfolio planning tools with seamless sync
• Support several project management methodologies, from Waterfall to DevSecOps 
• Comprehensive product development, writing, collaboration, and maintenance support
• Team planning with a set of editing and collaboration features 
• Task priority handling
• Charts and graphs for sharing insights 

Pricing

• Free
• Premium: $285.36/user/month
• Ultimate: $1188/user/year

2. Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a Git repository management solution created by Atlassian that helps development teams work together more effectively. It seamlessly integrates with other Atlassian products, such as Jira and Confluence, making it an ideal option for teams that use the Atlassian platform.

Features

• Connect with other Atlassian products and services, such as Jira and Confluence
• Use Pipelines for CI/CD workflows 
• Manage repositories on the go with native mobile apps for iOS and Android 
• Protect your data with advanced security features, such as two-factor authentication, password protection, IP safelisting & more. 
• Track and report on your projects with dashboards 

Pricing

• Free
• Standard: $15 per month
• Premium: $30 per month

All plans include up to five users at no extra cost.

3. SourceForge

SourceForge is the best GitHub alternative that is based on open source. The platform offers a powerful set of tools for software development. It supports Git, SVN, and Mercurial repositories, giving developers flexible version control options and a vibrant community. 

Features

• Effective bug tracking and sophisticated project management tools
• Integration with IDEs, such as Eclipse and IntelliJ
• Support several distributed version control systems (DVCS) like Git, SVN & Mercurial
• Project wiki pages for documentation & collaboration 

Pricing

• Free 
• Freemium versions available with custom pricing 

4. Azure DevOps (Previously Visual Studio Team Services)

Azure DevOps, a Microsoft product, is a complete set of tools for software development that provides Git repositories, continuous integration and delivery, agile planning, and more. 

Features

• A full-fledged suite of tools for managing the software development lifecycle 
• Compatibility with popular development IDEs, such as Visual Studio and JetBrains 
• Teamwork features, such as chat rooms, file sharing & more 
• Robust project tracking & reporting features through dashboards

Pricing

• Basic plan: No charge for up to five users. $6 per user/month for extra users.
• Basic + test plans: $52/user/month.

5. Gitea

If you are looking for a fast, self-hosted Git service that lets you customize it to your needs and doesn't consume many resources, you should try Gitea. It is the best GitHub alternative that offers the following features:

• Easy to install and lightweight
• Compatible with various authentication methods, such as LDAP and OAuth2
• Integrated issue tracking via Issues & Pull Requests
• Tools for code team

Pricing

Gitea is an open-source project driven by the community, and you can use it for free in your own environment.

6. CircleCI

CircleCI is a platform for continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) that is designed for the cloud. It helps development teams to improve their workflow and efficiency. With CircleCI, teams can easily set up and automate tests, deploy code, manage deployments in production environments, and more.

Features

• Powerful CI/CD tools with built-in support for popular languages & frameworks 
• Integration with Amazon S3, Slack & GitHub 
• Parallel testing for quick builds & deployment cycles
• Both server-based and cloud deployment options
• Integrations with Docker, Asana, and Nextdoor

Pricing

• Free: Up to 6,000 build minutes per month
• Performance: $15/mo
• Scale: Starts from $2,000/mo

7. SpiraPlan (formerly TaraValut)

SpiraPlan is a cutting-edge version control system (VCS) that prioritizes scalability, speed, and security. It relies on a distributed data storage and replication architecture to securely store all versions of the codebase. Undoubtedly, SpiraPlan is the best GitHub alternative among the ones we have reviewed so far. 

Features

• Secure versioning using blockchain technology for a scalable distributed architecture 
• Faster feedback cycles with built-in peer reviews without sacrificing quality or velocity 
• Role-based access for a secure permissions system to protect code 
• Popular task automation tools like Jenkins or TravisCI integration 
• Real-time progress tracking with graphs and analytics 
• Performance and productivity measurement with code repository statistics tracking 

Pricing

The SpiraPlan package is priced at $201.99 per month for three users.

8. Google Cloud Repositories

Google Cloud Repositories is a cloud-based version control platform that enables developers to work on and share their codebase. Its unique features are what insisted us to include it in our list of top 10 GitHub alternatives. 

Features

• Encryption technology for secure storage of source files 
• Other Google Cloud services like G Suite or Stackdriver Monitoring integration 
• Quick feedback cycles with code review and pull request features 
• Bug tracking with issue tracking 
• Tagging/branching options for online repositories 
• Performance and productivity analysis with detailed analytics in the codebase 

Pricing

• Features-based customized pricing.

9. CloudBees

CloudBees is a modern version control system that offers a complete set of DevOps solutions. It helps software development companies to streamline their entire development lifecycle. 

Features

• A dedicated dashboard to monitor the project status at any time. 
• Automatic audit reports and logs for robust security and compliance management. 
• Powerful CI/CD tools with built-in support for popular languages & frameworks 
• Faster feedback cycles with built-in peer reviews without sacrificing quality or velocity 
• Seamless integration with GitHub, Bitbucket, Jira Software, etc.
• Measure productivity and performance using in-depth analytics

Pricing

• CodeShip Basic Plan: $49/mo
• CodeShip Essential Plan: $99/mo
• CodeShip Power Plan: $399/mo

10. Apache Allura

Apache Allura is among the top alternatives to GitHub. It is an open-source version control system that is self-hosted, supporting distributed development. 

Features

• A collaborative way of developing software that uses a distributed system for storing data
• A system for managing and resolving issues related to bugs and enhancements
• A process for checking and verifying the code quality before deploying it to the live environment
• Tools for planning and organizing the project tasks and goals

Pricing

No charge for using the project on your own server. You can get help from the community of users and developers.

Conclusion

Relying on the right GitHub alternative can have a significant impact on your software development processes. You should consider important aspects such as cost, compatibility, and project management features when you compare different platforms for your team. Remember, the best GitHub alternative for your team is the one that meets your specific needs and preferences.

If you need help with GitHub or any aspect of mobile app development, you can contact Mtoag Technologies and get expert assistance. 

FAQs

Is GitHub Free or Paid?

GitHub offers both free and paid plans. The free tier includes unlimited public and private repositories, basic collaboration tools, and 2,000 CI/CD minutes monthly—great for individuals or small projects. Paid plans, like GitHub Pro or Team, unlock advanced features such as enhanced security, more automation minutes, and team management tools, catering to larger organizations or those needing extra functionality.

Is GitHub Owned by Microsoft?

Yes, GitHub is owned by Microsoft. They acquired it in 2018 for $7.5 billion. Since then, Microsoft has integrated GitHub into its ecosystem while keeping it largely independent. This move boosted GitHub’s resources and reach, though some users initially worried about Microsoft’s influence. Overall, it’s still a developer-focused platform with Microsoft’s backing.

How Does GitHub Make Money?

GitHub earns revenue primarily through paid subscriptions like GitHub Pro, Team, and Enterprise plans, which offer premium features such as advanced security, private repositories with more collaborators, and priority support. They also profit from GitHub Copilot, an AI coding tool, and marketplace apps. The free tier attracts users, while paid upgrades cater to businesses and power users.

Is There a Better Alternative to GitHub?

Whether there’s a “better” alternative depends on your needs. GitLab and Bitbucket are strong contenders, offering similar version control and collaboration tools. GitLab shines with built-in CI/CD, while Bitbucket integrates tightly with Atlassian products. GitHub’s edge lies in its massive community and ecosystem, but alternatives might suit specific workflows or preferences better.

Which is Better, GitHub or Bitbucket?

GitHub often wins for its huge community, extensive integrations, and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for open-source projects. Bitbucket, owned by Atlassian, excels for teams using Jira or Trello, offering seamless integration and cheaper pricing for small teams. GitHub’s broader appeal usually edges out Bitbucket unless you’re deep in the Atlassian ecosystem.

Who is the Competitor of GitHub?

GitHub’s main competitors are GitLab and Bitbucket. GitLab offers an all-in-one platform with robust CI/CD and self-hosting options, appealing to DevOps fans. Bitbucket targets teams tied to Atlassian tools. Both challenge GitHub’s dominance in code hosting and collaboration, though GitHub’s community and ecosystem keep it a leader.

Is GitLab Better Than GitHub?

GitLab can be better if you value its integrated CI/CD, open-source nature, and self-hosting flexibility—perfect for DevOps or privacy-focused teams. GitHub, however, leads with its vast community, marketplace, and polished UI, especially for open-source work. It’s a toss-up: GitLab for technical depth, GitHub for accessibility and network.