Launchpad review
A strong fit for Ubuntu projects, but its specialized workflow narrows broader Git hosting appeal.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Launchpad is a web-based collaboration and hosting service from Canonical Ltd. for open-source software projects, particularly maintainers working with Ubuntu packages. Its free open-source offering combines Git repository hosting over SSH and HTTPS with merge proposals, web-based code review, bug tracking, translations, continuous integration, project planning, webhooks, and Ubuntu package building and hosting. The service is also open source under AGPLv3, with a web service API and Python library integration for teams that need programmatic access or want to run the software themselves.
Its strongest distinction is the depth of its Ubuntu-oriented workflow. Projects can import and mirror repositories from other sites, configure CI jobs with .launchpad.yaml, link bugs to merge proposals, manage software translation and localization, and publish packages through Personal Package Archives. Integrations include Bugzilla, Trac, Mantis, GitLab, and webhooks. This combination suits maintainers who need more than repository hosting and want source control, issue work, localization, builds, and package distribution in one project environment.
The main trade-off is focus. Launchpad is well matched to Ubuntu and open-source development, but teams seeking a broadly applicable commercial Git platform may find its specialized workflow less suitable. Open-source projects can use the service free of charge, while proprietary hosting is available only with Canonical approval and includes private teams and private package archives. Choose Launchpad for Ubuntu package work, open-source collaboration, and an API or self-hosted option; consider another service if private commercial hosting is the primary requirement.
Launchpad pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free hosting for open-source Git projects
- Built-in reviews, CI, bugs, translations, and Ubuntu packaging
- SSH, HTTPS, API, webhooks, mirroring, and self-hosting support
- Where it doesn't
- Proprietary hosting requires Canonical approval
- Workflow is more specialized than general-purpose Git hosting
- Commercial subscriptions are no longer in operation
Launchpad fact sheet, pricing and score →
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