GitLab vs GitHub & are there German alternatives?

The development of software - whether done in a team or by individual programmers - nowadays requires active and flexible version control that allows changes and suggestions to be clearly traced. For this purpose, different solutions such as the GIT developed by Linus Torvalds for Linux or the Subversion (SVN) used by the Apache Webserver are initially suitable, but a more detailed differentiation is made based on the application options of the platforms used. One of the key decisions for Git Hosting lies in choosing between the universal but distinct providers Github or Gitlab.

Contents:
Where does Git Hosting originate from?
Who are Gitlab and Github?
What possibilities do GitHub, Gitlab, and German providers offer?
How do GitHub and GitLab compare directly?
GitHub, GitLab, or German providers - which is suitable for a specific project?

Where does Git Hosting originate from?

Until 2005, the responsible and interested programmers developing the Linux Kernel used the commercially available version control system BitKeeper, which would have led to high license fees in the near future due to a change in the usage model. To create open-source licensed alternatives, Linus Torvalds, along with other helpers, designed the system Git, which should provide similar features without the restrictions of proprietary source code for the general public.

Unlike most names in the software industry, Git is not an abbreviation, but an English term that can be translated into German as Idiot, Trottel, Depp, or Blödmann. It stands for an ironic self-reference by Torvalds, who noted in an interview that he has a tendency to name projects after himself - however, the decisive factor was to find a short, relevant, and distinctive combination for a command that is as clear as it would not be used elsewhere in the near future.

Through his innovative approach, Torvalds created a universal platform for software development that offers numerous advantages over alternatives and allows for a free implementation - whether by international or German providers, or on a local level on a dedicated or virtual server. The source code of GIT is licensed under the GNU GPL2 Open Source License, allowing it to be used and customised for free - whether it's small, purely individual and privately used code snippets or an extensive project involving different developers or even companies.

Who are Gitlab and Github?

Partly due to the increasing need for universal solutions for cross-disciplinary software development and the involvement of different groups, GIT web hosting has become an essential platform for IT companies in recent years. To meet this demand at a professional level, various projects have been established, some of which are subsidiaries of well-known corporations and open-source providers, while others are young start-ups focusing on a specific target audience. Gitlab and Github are two prominent representatives that are widely used in the Open Source community and are also suitable for commercial projects.

The platform Gitlab was founded in 2012 and also offers an externally available Community Edition that can be installed on a dedicated or virtual server as self-administered software. In 2015 and 2016, the company expanded significantly after raising over $25 million in venture capital funding. Active customers (as of 2021) include NASA, Sony, IBM, the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN in Geneva, as well as the Linux-based desktop environments GNOME and KDE, which also host their projects on their own dedicated servers.

The US-based company GitHub, founded in San Francisco in 2007, began its operations in 2008. Its stated goal was to create a platform for efficient software management with a continuous, clear, and easy-to-administer version control system that is suitable for small pieces of code as well as extensive projects involving multiple teams. In comparison to alternatives, GitHub places a clear focus on developers and programmers for rapid and versatile progress, with public participation, general error checking, and reporting. Users can store their ongoing and completed projects under a unique username, adopt external content (Forks), and autonomously develop them further. In 2018, Microsoft acquired the previously independent company for a total sum of around $7.5 billion, leading to a temporary migration of customers to alternative GIT hosting platforms like Gitlab.

What opportunities do GitHub, Gitlab, and German providers offer?

Although originally designed for version control of open-source and proprietary licensed program code in various languages, there are also advantages in other areas such as science and statistical data collection and analysis. This is because it is, in a broader sense, a flexible platform that can be used universally, not tied to a specific language or project, unlike specialised Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), for example. For this reason, version control systems like GitLab and GitHub are increasingly becoming an important tool in scientific research, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration between departments and precise documentation of studies.

In practical use, both GitHub and GitLab offer the capabilities created by Git for decentralised and distributed version control and management of information. The basic options include:

• Creating, developing, and archiving projects with multiple branches
• Public access to individual areas or the entire source code
• Reporting bugs, improvements, desired options, or errors
• Active participation such as suggesting fixes and patches
• Local editing and syncing data with a central server
• Creating multiple branches with alternative solutions and approaches
• Free access to data or restriction to authorised circles
• Convenient syncing between local machines and the repository via Git

How do GitHub and GitLab compare directly?

The decision between GitHub, GitLab, or alternatives such as German providers that utilise the software of both platforms is usually based on practical features. These include:

• Granting access rights to multiple users and groups
• Number of public, private, and protected branches for a project
• Integration of external services like Docker, CI/CD tools, or project management
• Available user interfaces including GUI, web interface, and terminal commands
• Support for mobile devices and numerous operating systems
• Embedding IDEs, editors, and other tools
• Free hosting on a dedicated or virtual server
• Tools for (statistical) analysis of pull requests, issues, bugs, and inputs

One significant difference between GitLab and GitHub in some of these points is the functionality between the free and paid versions, as well as in managing authorised users. Taking these aspects into account, GitHub proves to be more stable, powerful, and better integrated with third-party tools such as IDEs or tools for Continuous Integration. On the other hand, GitLab offers more features in its free version and also allows installation on own servers without paid support. Unfortunately, there are no comparable German providers offering a similar presence and advantages, only small platforms based on the software offered by both companies. However, as an alternative, it is possible to easily install Git on a dedicated or virtual server to utilise its capabilities and benefits in a secure and self-managed environment.

GitHub, GitLab or German providers - which is suitable for a specific project?

An essential criterion in the development and maintenance of proprietary software is undoubtedly that GitHub, unlike GitLab, only allows private repositories with paid hosting. Although both companies place a high value on security, as global corporations with a wealth of sensitive data, they are constantly targeted by criminal attacks - German providers or own servers offer important advantages solely due to their lower visibility and clear infrastructure. Ultimately, all operators are suitable for simple and complex projects that are licensed as open source and therefore publicly visible.

For commercial software development, the specific requirements such as management, integration of externally used tools, type of code being maintained - such as applications or websites - and compatibility with web hosting play a crucial role in making an optimal choice. Due to the variety of possible factors, it would be premature to make a general recommendation in this context. In general, international and German providers are suitable without restriction for simple projects with a maximum of three participants or teams - for more complex developments, it is worth carefully comparing the conditions that may change for Git Hosting on GitLab, GitHub, and other reputable and reliable platforms and providers.

Especially advantageous for the development of websites in experimental environments is the implementation of Git in management panels for administration like Plesk or CPanel. These, in conjunction with a suitable account, allow source code to be transferred in various versions at the click of a button, to mirror it in a different environment when needed. Therefore, when choosing web hosting, pay attention to your provider's active Git support. Additionally, SSH access is a major advantage, allowing Git commands to be executed directly in the console. Since many web hosting providers often do not support this in shared hosting packages, we recommend using Managed VPS hosting or Cloud Servers.

Photo: Arek Socha on Pixabay