GitLabOffers the most comprehensive native DevOps features without requiring third-party tool integration90.3NEWFree
BitbucketProvides native integration with Jira, allowing seamless linking of code commits to issue tracking88.0NEWFree
Azure DevOpsProvides both Git and legacy TFVC version control options within a single platform85.7NEWFree
GiteaCan run on Raspberry Pi and other low-power devices whilst maintaining full Git functionality83.3NEWFree
ForgejoCreated as a community-governed alternative to Gitea, ensuring long-term independence and user autonomy81.0NEWFree
GitoliteProvides repository-level and branch-level access control without requiring complex configuration78.7NEWFree
MercurialUsed by Mozilla for Firefox development, though many projects have migrated to Git76.3NEWFree
FossilIncludes integrated wiki, bug tracker, and forum capabilities in a single 4MB executable74.0NEWFree
Git is a free, distributed version control system created by Linus Torvalds that enables every developer to have a complete project history locally. Known for branching, merging capabilities, and lightning-fast performance, Git has become the de facto standard in software development.
GitHub is a cloud-based hosting platform for Git repositories owned by Microsoft since 2018. It provides pull requests, code reviews, issue tracking, and GitHub Actions for CI/CD, making it the epicentre of open source and collaborative development.
GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform offering Git repository hosting, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, and deployment tools in a single integrated interface. Available as cloud-hosted or self-managed, GitLab supports enterprises requiring full control over their infrastructure.
Bitbucket, owned by Atlassian, provides Git and Mercurial repository hosting with native integration to Jira, Confluence, and other Atlassian products. It serves enterprise teams deeply invested in the Atlassian ecosystem.
Azure DevOps, formerly Visual Studio Team Services, provides Git and TFVC repositories alongside Azure Pipelines, test management, and artifact repositories. Deeply integrated with Microsoft tooling and cloud services, it serves enterprise Windows and .NET teams.
Gitea is a free, open source, lightweight Git service that runs on minimal hardware. Written in Go, it provides essential repository hosting, pull requests, and issue tracking with a simple interface ideal for small teams and self-hosted deployments.
Forgejo is a free, open source Git platform forked from Gitea, emphasising community governance and long-term sustainability. It provides lightweight self-hosted repositories with a focus on user autonomy and avoiding corporate acquisition.
Gitolite is a free, open source self-hosted Git server written in Perl, designed for fine-grained access control and repository administration. It excels in organisations requiring detailed permission management and minimal overhead.
Mercurial is a free, distributed version control system similar to Git but emphasising simplicity and predictability. Once popular in commercial projects, it has declined in adoption but remains used by some enterprises and projects like the Firefox browser.
Fossil is a free, open source distributed version control system bundling version control, wiki, bug tracker, and forum functionality into a single executable. Used by SQLite and Tcl projects, it appeals to teams wanting an all-in-one solution.
GitHub offers superior community, discoverability, and free private repositories with straightforward setup, making it ideal for most small teams. Self-hosted Gitea suits teams requiring maximum control, isolated infrastructure, or operating in restricted environments where cloud solutions are prohibited.
Git itself is completely free and open source. However, hosting platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket offer both free and paid tiers. You can pay for additional features like private repositories, advanced CI/CD, or enhanced support, but basic version control remains free across all platforms.
Git's distributed architecture, exceptional branching capabilities, and GitHub's emergence as a social coding platform drove rapid adoption. The large ecosystem, community size, and widespread industry adoption created a network effect where Git became the de facto standard, disadvantaging competing systems.
More SaaS rankings to compare.
HubSpot CRM68.22
Zoho CRM62.93
monday Sales CRM55.6UPDATED JUL 21full ranking →SAASJUL 21
Adobe Sign82.02
DocuSign69.33
HelloSign66.1UPDATED JUL 21full ranking →SAASJUL 21
Apple Passwords75.72
Bitwarden72.63
1Password69.9UPDATED JUL 21full ranking →SAASJUL 21
NordVPN70.22
Surfshark70.03
ExpressVPN68.4UPDATED JUL 21full ranking →SAASJUL 21
HostGator75.42
Bluehost74.63
DreamHost74.6UPDATED JUL 21full ranking →SAASJUL 20
QuickBooks Online95.02
Xero92.53
Freshbooks90.0UPDATED JUL 20full ranking →
