GitHub vs Gitea
GitHub is code hosting, version control, and developer collaboration platform powered by Git, while Gitea is lightweight, self-hosted Git service written in Go — fast, easy to install, and open source. Gitea is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. GitHub is built for open-source projects and teams that want the largest developer ecosystem, whereas Gitea targets teams wanting lightweight self-hosted git.
| Feature | GitHub | Gitea |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| Actions CI | — | ✓ |
| Actions CI/CD | ✓ | — |
| Code Review | ✓ | — |
| Copilot AI | ✓ | — |
| Issues | ✓ | — |
| Lightweight | — | ✓ |
| Package Registry | — | ✓ |
| Pull Requests | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Both GitHub and Gitea are free, so this decision comes down to features and philosophy rather than budget.
Feature gaps: GitHub offers Actions CI/CD, Code Review and Copilot AI that Gitea lacks. Gitea brings Actions CI, Lightweight and Package Registry that GitHub does not have.
Team fit: GitHub is geared toward any size teams, while Gitea is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Gitea is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. GitHub is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: GitHub's biggest strengths are: largest developer community and open-source ecosystem. github actions for ci/cd included. Gitea's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. self-hosted deployment gives you full control over your data and infrastructure.
Watch out for: With GitHub, users commonly note that owned by microsoft — data sovereignty concerns. With Gitea, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.
choose GitHub if
- You need a tool built for open-source projects and teams that want the largest developer ecosystem
- You specifically need Actions CI/CD and Code Review
- You care about github actions for ci/cd included
- Your team size fits the any size profile GitHub is designed for
choose Gitea if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting lightweight self-hosted git
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Actions CI and Lightweight
- You care about self-hosted deployment gives you full control over your data and infrastructure
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Gitea is designed for
frequently asked
What is the difference between GitHub and Gitea?
GitHub is code hosting, version control, and developer collaboration platform powered by Git, while Gitea is lightweight, self-hosted Git service written in Go — fast, easy to install, and open source. Gitea is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. GitHub is built for open-source projects and teams that want the largest developer ecosystem, whereas Gitea targets teams wanting lightweight self-hosted git.
Should I use GitHub or Gitea?
Gitea gives you open source and self-hosting; GitHub is a managed service. Which trade-off works for you?
When should I choose GitHub over Gitea?
Choose GitHub if You need a tool built for open-source projects and teams that want the largest developer ecosystem; You specifically need Actions CI/CD and Code Review; You care about github actions for ci/cd included; Your team size fits the any size profile GitHub is designed for.
When should I choose Gitea over GitHub?
Choose Gitea if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting lightweight self-hosted git; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Actions CI and Lightweight; You care about self-hosted deployment gives you full control over your data and infrastructure; Your team size fits the small teams profile Gitea is designed for.
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