GitHub vs Gitea: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub and Gitea comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
GitHub
Code hosting platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.2/10 vs 8.1/10)
- • World's largest code hosting platform with 100M+ developers
- • Free unlimited public/private repos, 500MB packages, 2000 CI minutes
Gitea
Self-hosted Git service
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Gitea is a lightweight self-hosted Git service written in Go
- • It provides repository hosting, issue tracking, and CI/CD with minimal resource usage
| At a Glance |  GitHub |  Gitea |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Version Control | Version Control |
Rating | 92/100 | 81/100 |
| Feature | GitHub | Gitea |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 92 | 81 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Version ControlProject Tracking | Version ControlCode Review |
How GitHub and Gitea Compare
GitHub
Code hosting platform
Free tier available · 92/100 score
Gitea
Self-hosted Git service
Free · 81/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Gitea is free. GitHub is freemium.
Go with: Gitea
Want the highest-rated option?
GitHub: 92/100. Gitea: 81/100.
Go with: GitHub
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitHub
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
GitHub is freemium. Gitea is free. Go with Gitea if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are version control tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
GitHub scores higher: 92/100 vs 81/100.
Key Takeaways
GitHub
- Higher score: 92/100 vs 81
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Gitea
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
GitHub (92/100) is our pick. That said, Gitea is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub or Gitea better?
GitHub scores 92/100 in our evaluation. GitHub is freemium and Gitea is free.
What are GitHub and Gitea used for?
GitHub: Code hosting platform. Gitea: Self-hosted Git service.
What does GitHub cost vs Gitea?
GitHub is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Gitea is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.