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Head-to-head · Continuous Integration Software

GitHub Actions vs GitLab CI/CD

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score GitHub Actions #1 in Continuous Integration Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit GitHub Actions
GitLab CI/CD #2 in Continuous Integration Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit GitLab CI/CD

GitHub Actions leads on 1 check, GitLab CI/CD on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitHub Actions · 9.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceGitHub Actions · $4/user/mo
  • Free planboth

GitHub Actions scores higher on our rubric for continuous integration software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

GitHub Actions is cheaper to start at $4/mo against $29/mo. GitLab CI/CD leads on included build minutes: 10000 min/mo versus 3000 min/mo.

GitHub Actions is the better fit for gitHub-centered teams. GitLab CI/CD is the better fit for integrated DevOps teams.

  • GitHub Actions fits best

    GitHub-centered teams

  • GitLab CI/CD fits best

    Integrated DevOps teams

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Side by side

Feature GitHub Actions 9.4/10 Visit ↗ GitLab CI/CD 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Continuous Integration Software #2 in Continuous Integration Software
Best for GitHub-centered teams Integrated DevOps teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $4/user/mo (best) $29/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GitHub Actions 4/4 · GitLab CI/CD 4/4
Hosted option ✓ ✓
Self-hosted runners ✓ ✓
Pull request checks ✓ ✓
Artifact or dependency cache ✓ ✓
Specs
Parallel jobs 60 jobs Not checked yet
Included build minutes 3000 min/mo 10000 min/mo (best)
Pipeline configuration Yaml Yaml
Our review
Pros
  • Hosted Linux, Windows, and macOS runners plus self-hosted runners
  • Matrix builds, caching, artifacts, secrets, and reusable workflow templates
  • Triggers for pushes, pull requests, issues, releases, and other events
  • DAG, parent-child, matrix, and merge-request pipelines
  • Hosted and self-managed runners across Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Caching, artifacts, parallel jobs, and cross-project pipelines
Cons
  • Its strongest fit depends on keeping repositories in GitHub
  • Usage beyond included allowances is metered by runner type
  • Enterprise Cloud pricing is not shown in the published plan details
  • The Free plan includes 400 compute minutes per month
  • Ultimate uses custom pricing
  • Premium pricing is listed for annual billing
Our verdict

GitHub Actions is a continuous integration and continuous delivery platform for developers and teams working from GitHub repositories. It automates build, test, deployment, and other repository workflows through YAML workflow files. Jobs…

Read the review →

GitLab CI/CD is a continuous integration and delivery system integrated with GitLab. Teams define pipelines in YAML files and automate builds, tests, security checks, and deployments. It supports triggers for pushes, merge requests,…

Read the review →
  1. GitHub ActionsContinuous Integration Software 9.4Free plan
  2. GitLab CI/CDContinuous Integration Software 9.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitHub Actions — where it wins

    • Hosted Linux, Windows, and macOS runners plus self-hosted runners
    • Matrix builds, caching, artifacts, secrets, and reusable workflow templates
    • Triggers for pushes, pull requests, issues, releases, and other events

    Where it doesn't

    • Its strongest fit depends on keeping repositories in GitHub
    • Usage beyond included allowances is metered by runner type
    • Enterprise Cloud pricing is not shown in the published plan details

  • GitLab CI/CD — where it wins

    • DAG, parent-child, matrix, and merge-request pipelines
    • Hosted and self-managed runners across Linux, Windows, and macOS
    • Caching, artifacts, parallel jobs, and cross-project pipelines

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan includes 400 compute minutes per month
    • Ultimate uses custom pricing
    • Premium pricing is listed for annual billing

More comparisons

All continuous integration software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update