The Best GitHub AlternativesTop Source Code Hosting Services & Version Control Systems like GitHub

GitHub is described as 'Web-based Git hosting service facilitating collaboration, with features like issue tracking, social networking, and wikis for project management' and is a leading source code hosting service in the development category. There are more than 100 alternatives to GitHub for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Self-Hosted, Linux, Windows and Mac apps. The best GitHub alternative is GitLab, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GitHub are Gitea, Codeberg, Bitbucket and SourceForge.

filter to find the best alternatives

GitHub alternatives are mainly Version Control Systems, but if you're looking for Source Code Hosting Services or Project Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Europe, Self-Hosted, EU, Open Source, Free + Source Code Hosting and Android. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GitHub.
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Alternatives list

  1. GitLab icon

    GitLab

     752 likes

    Provides a robust platform for on-premise or hosted Git repository management, integrating seamlessly with various dev tools, facilitating efficient workflow through offerings like issue tracking, code reviews, continuous integration, CI/CD pipelines, and option for unlimited private repositories.

    113 GitLab alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Ruby
    • Cloudron
    Activity stream
     
    |
    21
    GitLab vs GitHub Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    milkdoes
    7

    No limit on collaborators of private repositories.

    soul1472
    Positive
    0

    Gitlab is better than Github if you don't mind it having "AI", too.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Not controlled by the privacy-hostile (many times) convicted felon Microsoft.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 21 comments
    • GitLab is Freemium and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • GitLab is Security-focusedGitHub is not according to our users
  2. Gitea icon

    Gitea

     177 likes

    Gitea is a fork of Gogs, lightweight code hosting solution written in Go and published under the MIT license.

    46 Gitea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    • Chocolatey
    Gitea screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
    Gitea vs GitHub Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    6543
    7

    gitea v1.9.4 and newer has all features you want and know from github ... but selfhosted and lightweight! And if there is one feature missiong its sure on a list

    Pierre LeBaux
    Positive
    0

    Self-hosted, simple, great.

    Freeplay
    Positive
    3

    You can run your own instance, but you can use other instances like Codeberg as well!

    3 of 6 comments
    • Gitea is Freemium and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Gitea is Lightweight, Privacy focused and Security-focusedGitHub is not according to our users
  4. Codeberg icon

    Codeberg

     113 likes

    A free Git source code hosting service with the objective to give the open-source code that is running our world a safe and friendly home, and to ensure that code remains free and secure forever.

    50 Codeberg alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Short Landing page.
     
    |
    5
    Codeberg vs GitHub Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Buster_Blue
    2

    Codeberg is FOSS and it's run by a non-profit organization. This makes it a fitting home for open source projects.

    Subscribe6225
    Positive
    2

    Free, Open Source, European.

    nezort11
    Positive
    4

    In my opinion the best alternative to "GitHub" as a repo hosting service. Because it is managed by non-profit organization (.org TLD) compared to commercial companies (.com TLD).

    3 of 5 comments
    • Codeberg is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Codeberg is Lightweight and Privacy focusedGitHub is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Backlog icon
    Backlog

    Cloud-based platform combining project management, issue tracking, code collaboration, bug management, real-time dashboards, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, burndown charts, and team workspace for progress and sprint tracking withou...

    https://backlog.com
    Learn More
  6. Bitbucket icon

    Bitbucket

     407 likes

    Provides Git repository hosting with integrated issue tracking, wiki for documentation, pull requests, code review features, support for public and private repos, CI/CD integration, branch permissions, team collaboration, notification tools, and API access.

    80 Bitbucket alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Bugtracker
     
    |
    7
    Bitbucket vs GitHub Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    jamilsonjunior
    1

    Unlimited private repositories makes Bitbucket perfect for personal and scholar projects.

    Top Negative Comment
    Korwin
    3

    I wouldn't recommend one FOSS adversary as an alternative to another FOSS adversary.

    Ron Bowman
    Positive
    0

    Great if using other Atlassian products. Still very good if using it on its own.

    3 of 7 comments
    • Bitbucket is Freemium and ProprietaryGitHub is also Freemium and Proprietary
  7. SourceForge icon

    SourceForge

     341 likes

    Centralized open source platform providing code hosting for 502,000+ projects, version control, analytics, project wikis, software reviews, and access to a business software directory listing over 50,000 titles, serving millions of downloads and users monthly.

    74 SourceForge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    SourceForge screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    SourceForge vs GitHub Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    SourceForge has been consistent & reliable, thus a very capable alternative to GitHub.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    RemovedUser
    8

    I would not trust SourceForge because of the past controversies involving malicious activity.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Erik Estrada
    6

    A few years ago Sourceforge hijacked projects and bundled malware in them. It's supposed to be clean now but who knows...

    3 of 7 comments
    • SourceForge is Free and ProprietaryGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • SourceForge is LightweightGitHub is not according to our users
  8. Gogs icon

    Gogs

     137 likes

    The easiest, fastest, and most painless way of setting up a self-hosted Git service. With Go, this can be done with an independent binary distribution across ALL platforms that Go supports, including Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and ARM.

    42 Gogs alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Gogs screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Gogs vs GitHub Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Self-hosted and really light weight. Installs on docker in just a few minutes. Super excellent!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    petardudas
    Positive
    0

    It's very simple to set up.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Gogs is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Gogs is LightweightGitHub is not according to our users
  10. Forgejo icon

    Forgejo

     58 likes

    Beyond coding. We forge. Forgejo is a self-hosted lightweight software forge. Easy to install and low maintenance, it just does the job.

    54 Forgejo alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Short landing page
     
    |
    1
    Forgejo vs GitHub Comments
    Subscribe6225
    Positive
    1

    Open Source, European, Self-hosted

    • Forgejo is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Forgejo is Lightweight, Privacy focused and CustomizableGitHub is not according to our users
  12. GitBucket icon

    GitBucket

     52 likes

    GitBucket is the easily installable open-source GitHub clone written with Scala.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Scala
    User Interface
     
    |
    1
    GitBucket vs GitHub Comments
    kounoike
    Positive
    3

    GitBucket has most powerful API compatibility to GitHub.com/GitHubEnterprise!

    • GitBucket is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • GitBucket is Privacy focusedGitHub is not according to our users
  13. Launchpad icon

    Launchpad

     110 likes

    Launchpad is a collaboration and Bazaar code hosting platform for (primarily open-source) software projects.

    89 Launchpad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Python
    Launchpad screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Launchpad vs GitHub Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Launchpad is not a git server

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    you can host code on launchpad, and publish ubuntu packages

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Launchpad is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
  14. SourceHut icon

    SourceHut

     22 likes

    sourcehut is a network of useful open source tools for software project maintainers and collaborators, including git repos, bug tracking, continuous integration, and mailing lists.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Hosted git repositories
     
    |
    1
    SourceHut vs GitHub Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Minimal but usable, perfectly lightweight

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • SourceHut is Freemium and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
    • SourceHut is Privacy focused and LightweightGitHub is not according to our users
  15. Trac icon

    Trac

     146 likes

    Trac is an enhanced wiki and issue tracking system for software development projects. Trac uses a minimalistic approach to web-based software project management. Our mission is to help developers write great software while staying out of the way.

    155 Trac alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Trac screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Trac vs GitHub Comments
    Ron Bowman
    Positive
    4

    The best issue tracker money can b... oh, wait, it's free!

    RemovedUser
    Negative
    1

    Its usability is a trip into the past I did not miss.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Trac is Free and Open SourceGitHub is Freemium and Proprietary
12 of 108 GitHub alternatives