GitHub Actions vs GitLab CI: 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 GitHub Actions and GitLab CI 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
GitHub Actions
Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
Best for you if:
- • You want native GitHub integration
GitLab CI
Accelerate delivery with orchestrated CI/CD automation for secure software development.
Best for you if:
- • You want accelerates release cycles and increases deployment frequency
| At a Glance | GitHub Actions | GitLab CI |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $29/user/mo, billed yearly Premium plan |
Category | DevOps Testing & QA | DevOps Testing & QA |
Rating | n/a | 4.4/5 G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 690 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | macOS runner minutes cost 10x more than Linux ($0.062/min vs $0.006/min). | n/a |
Choose GitHub Actions or GitLab CI?
Choose GitHub Actions if
- You want native GitHub integration
- You want free for public repos
Choose GitLab CI if
- You want accelerates release cycles and increases deployment frequency
- You want enhances security by integrating scanning and compliance checks early in the development process
In-Depth Analysis
GitHub Actions
Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
GitHub Actions is free for public repositories and includes 2,000 minutes/month on the free plan, enough for most individual developers and small open-source projects.
Watch out
macOS runner minutes cost 10x more than Linux ($0.062/min vs $0.006/min).
Strengths
- Pro: Native GitHub integration
- Pro: Free for public repos
- Pro: Huge marketplace
Weaknesses
- Con: GitHub lock-in
- Con: Complex debugging
Key features
GitLab CI
Accelerate delivery with orchestrated CI/CD automation for secure software development.
GitLab CI's pricing is fair, offering a generous Free tier for small teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Accelerates release cycles and increases deployment frequency.
- Pro: Enhances security by integrating scanning and compliance checks early in the development process.
- Pro: Improves developer experience through automation and AI-powered assistance.
- Pro: Provides robust tools for scaling and standardizing CI/CD across many projects.
- Pro: Offers flexible deployment options across various environments.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires integration with the broader GitLab platform for full benefits.
- Con: Learning curve for advanced features like parent-child pipelines or complex compliance frameworks.
Key features
Plans and prices: GitHub Actions vs GitLab CI
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Actions |
| github.com/features/actions read Oct 2, 2026 |
| GitLab CI |
| about.gitlab.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on GitHub Actions pricing and GitLab CI pricing.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Actions
- Choose if you want automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
GitLab CI
- Choose if you want accelerate delivery with orchestrated CI/CD automation for secure software development
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.
- Only GitLab CI has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 690 reviews); GitHub Actions has none we can show.
- GitLab CI starts at $29/user/mo, billed yearly; GitHub Actions has no public paid plan price on file.
- 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 billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do GitHub Actions and GitLab CI 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. Only GitLab CI has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 690 reviews); GitHub Actions has none we can show. GitLab CI starts at $29/user/mo, billed yearly; GitHub Actions has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are GitHub Actions and GitLab CI used for?
GitHub Actions: Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository. GitLab CI: Accelerate delivery with orchestrated CI/CD automation for secure software development.
What does GitHub Actions cost vs GitLab CI?
GitHub Actions has no public paid-plan price on file. GitLab CI's cheapest paid plan is Premium at $29/user/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between GitHub Actions and GitLab CI?
GitHub Actions's main strength: native GitHub integration. GitLab CI's main strength: accelerates release cycles and increases deployment frequency.