This post is maintained by Bytebase, an open-source database DevSecOps tool which can integrate with GitLab CI and GitHub Actions. We update the post every year.
| Update History | Comment |
|---|---|
| 2025/04/27 | Initial version. |
Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD) are key to modern software development, automating build, test, and deployment processes. GitLab CI and GitHub Actions are two leading tools. This article compares them to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Comparison Table
| Category | GitLab CI | GitHub Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration and Setup | Single file to define the entire pipeline | Multiple YAML files for specific workflows |
| Integration with Platform | Fully integrated into GitLab's all-in-one DevOps platform | Native integration with GitHub repository-centric workflow |
| Execution Environment | Self-hosted or GitLab.com-hosted runners | GitHub-hosted or self-hosted runners |
| Pricing Model | Free (400 min), Premium ($29/user/mo for 10,000 min), Ultimate (Contact sales) | Free (2,000 min), Team ($4/user/mo for 3,000 min), Enterprise (from $21/user/mo for 50,000 min) |
| Ecosystem and Reusability | CI/CD catalog, reusable components, share across projects | Huge Marketplace, reusable workflows, strong community-contributed actions |
| Advanced Features | Merge trains, parent-child pipelines, security/compliance tools, canary deployments | Matrix builds, workflow reuse, environment protection, scheduled/manual workflows |
| Ease of Use | More powerful but steeper learning curve | Easier to start with event-driven and marketplace-driven workflows |
Detailed Comparison
Configuration and Setup
GitLab CI uses a single .gitlab-ci.yml file placed at the root of your repository. This file defines your entire CI/CD pipeline, including stages, jobs, and scripts to be executed.
GitHub Actions uses YAML files stored in the .github/workflows directory. You can have multiple workflow files, each defining a separate automated process triggered by different events.
Both platforms use YAML for configuration, but GitLab CI centralizes all pipeline definitions in a single file, while GitHub Actions allows for multiple workflow files organized by purpose.
Integration with Platform
GitLab CI is deeply integrated with the GitLab platform, forming part of GitLab's complete DevOps solution. This tight integration means seamless connections between code, issues, merge requests, and CI/CD pipelines all within the same platform.
GitHub Actions is natively integrated with GitHub repositories and the broader GitHub ecosystem. It works seamlessly with GitHub features like pull requests, issues, and project boards, providing a cohesive development experience for GitHub users.
The key difference is that GitLab offers an all-in-one platform approach, while GitHub Actions focuses on tight integration with GitHub's repository-centric workflow.
Execution Environment
Both platforms offer similar options for running your CI/CD jobs:
GitLab CI provides:
- Self-hosted runners or GitLab.com-hosted runners
- Support for Linux, Windows, and macOS
GitHub Actions provides:
- GitHub-hosted or self-hosted runners
- Support for Linux, Windows, and macOS
- Free unlimited minutes for public repositories
Pricing Model
| Plan | GitLab CI | GitHub Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/user/month, 400 minutes | $0/user/month, 2,000 minutes |
| Team / Premium | $29/user/month (10,000 minutes) | $4/user/month (3,000 minutes) |
| Enterprise / Ultimate | Contact sales (50,000 minutes) | From $21/user/month (50,000 minutes) |
GitHub Actions is more affordable at the Team level compared to GitLab's Premium pricing, making it attractive for smaller teams.
Ecosystem and Reusability
GitLab CI offers:
- CI/CD catalog with components and templates
- Reusable pipeline configurations
- Ability to share components across projects
GitHub Actions offers:
- Extensive marketplace with thousands of pre-built actions
- Reusable workflows across repositories
- Strong community contributions
GitHub Actions has a larger marketplace of pre-built components, making it easier to find ready-made solutions for common tasks. GitLab CI's approach focuses more on creating and sharing your own reusable components.
Advanced Features
GitLab CI stands out with:
- Merge trains: Keep the main branch stable by merging changes in a controlled order.
- Parent-child pipelines: Break complex workflows into smaller, manageable parts.
- Security and compliance: Built-in tools for security scanning and regulatory compliance.
- Progressive delivery: Support for canary deployments to safely roll out updates.
GitHub Actions shines with:
- Matrix builds: Test across different environments and configurations easily.
- Workflow reuse: Share and reuse workflows across multiple repositories.
- Environment protection: Set rules to control deployments to sensitive environments.
- Scheduled and manual workflows: Run workflows on a schedule or trigger them manually when needed.
In short:
- GitLab CI offers more advanced tools for complex, enterprise-level setups.
- GitHub Actions focuses on simplicity and covers the most common CI/CD needs very well.
Ease of Use
GitLab CI has a steeper learning curve but offers more power for complex pipelines. Its unified configuration approach makes it more structured but potentially more complex for beginners.
GitHub Actions is generally simpler to get started with, especially for those already familiar with GitHub. Its event-driven model and marketplace make it accessible for newcomers.
Conclusion
GitLab CI is a strong choice for teams needing complex, enterprise-grade CI/CD pipelines, offering advanced features like security scanning, compliance tools, and deep integration with the entire GitLab DevOps platform. In contrast, GitHub Actions shines for its simplicity, fast setup, and extensive marketplace of reusable actions, making it an excellent option for teams already using GitHub or those looking for a flexible, event-driven CI/CD solution.
