CircleCI vs GitLab: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for CircleCI and GitLab side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
| At a Glance |  CircleCI |  GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | CircleCI Free plan, paid from $15/mo Performance plan | GitLab Free plan, paid from $29/mo per user on the annual plan Premium plan |
| Category | CircleCI DevOps Testing & QA | GitLab DevOps Developer Tools |
| Rating | CircleCI 4.5 (602 reviews) G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.6 | GitLab 4.5 (875 reviews) G2 4.5 |
| Free plan | CircleCI Yes | GitLab Yes |
| Watch out for | CircleCI Overage charges for build minutes/credits | GitLab Ultimate vs Premium gap is massive: Ultimate adds advanced security (fuzz testing, license compliance, vulnerability management), value stream analytics, and 50,000 compute minutes. The price jump is typically 2-3x Premium |
| Website | CircleCI | GitLab |
These entry prices are not on the same basis: some are per user and some are not and some need a longer commitment than others. Each one is shown as its vendor sells it, and none is ranked against the others.
In-Depth Analysis
CircleCI
Continuous integration and delivery
CircleCI's freemium model is quite generous, offering 6,000 build minutes for free, which is suitable for small projects or individual developers.
Watch out
Overage charges for build minutes/credits
Strengths
- Pro: Fast builds
- Pro: Docker support
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex pricing
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
GitLab
The most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps platform for secure and accelerated software delivery.
The Free tier is generous for individuals (400 CI/CD minutes, 10 GiB storage) but too limited for teams.
Watch out
Ultimate vs Premium gap is massive: Ultimate adds advanced security (fuzz testing, license compliance, vulnerability management), value stream analytics, and 50,000 compute minutes. The price jump is typically 2-3x Premium
Strengths
- Pro: Complete DevOps platform in one application
- Pro: Generous free tier with 400 CI/CD minutes/month
- Pro: Built-in security scanning and vulnerability management
- Pro: Self-hosted option available for full control
- Pro: Strong Git repository management
Weaknesses
- Con: Steeper learning curve than simpler alternatives
- Con: UI can feel overwhelming for new users
- Con: Premium features like advanced CI/CD require paid plans
- Con: Resource-intensive for self-hosted installations
- Con: Some features lag behind specialized tools
Key features
Plans and prices: CircleCI vs GitLab
| Plans | CircleCI | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Plans and prices | CircleCI
| GitLab
|
| Source | CircleCI circleci.com/pricing read Nov 15, 2026 | GitLab about.gitlab.com/pricing read Nov 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Each tool's plans are listed on their own: the lists are not matched line by line. Details on CircleCI pricing and GitLab pricing.
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 602 reviews for CircleCI, 4.5/5 from 875 reviews for GitLab).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are not on the same basis: CircleCI $15/mo; GitLab $29/mo per user on the annual plan.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same unit and commitment term), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
CircleCI Reviews
No reviews yet
GitLab Reviews
A Complete DevOps Platform That Simplifies the Entire Workflow
GitLab brings everything into one place: version control, CI/CD, issue tracking, security scanning, and project management. The integrated CI/CD is incredibly powerful and removes the need for external tools. Merge requests are smooth, code reviews are intuitive, and the automation options save a ton of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CircleCI and GitLab compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 602 reviews for CircleCI, 4.5/5 from 875 reviews for GitLab). Entry prices are not ranked, they are not on the same basis: CircleCI $15/mo; GitLab $29/mo per user on the annual plan. Both have a free plan.
What are CircleCI and GitLab used for?
CircleCI: Continuous integration and delivery. GitLab: The most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps platform for secure and accelerated software delivery.
What does CircleCI cost vs GitLab?
CircleCI's cheapest paid plan is Performance at $15/mo; it also has a free plan. GitLab's cheapest paid plan is Premium at $29/mo per user on the annual plan; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between CircleCI and GitLab?
CircleCI's main strength: fast builds. GitLab's main strength: complete DevOps platform in one application.
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