GitLab vs Gitea (2026): Full DevOps Platform vs Lightweight Git Server
By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026 · Based on hands-on testing
30-Second Answer
Pick Gitea for a lightweight, easy-to-deploy git server on any hardware — runs on a Raspberry Pi, uses 50-100MB RAM. Pick GitLab for a full DevOps platform with built-in CI/CD, container registry, and security scanning — but it needs 8GB+ RAM. Gitea wins on simplicity; GitLab wins 8-2 on features.
Our Verdict
GitLab
- Built-in CI/CD (GitLab CI)
- Container registry and package registry
- Security scanning (SAST, DAST, secret detection)
- Requires 8GB+ RAM to self-host
- Heavy and slow on limited hardware
- Complex to maintain and upgrade
Gitea
- Runs on Raspberry Pi (50-100MB RAM)
- Simple setup and maintenance
- MIT license — fully open source
- No built-in CI/CD (needs Woodpecker/Drone)
- No container registry
- Fewer features than GitLab
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Gitea | GitLab | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM Required | 50-100MB | 4-8GB minimum | ✔ Gitea |
| Built-in CI/CD | No (external Woodpecker) | Yes — GitLab CI | ✔ GitLab |
| Container Registry | No | Yes — built-in | ✔ GitLab |
| Security Scanning | No | SAST, DAST, secret detection | ✔ GitLab |
| Setup Ease | Docker in 5 minutes | Complex, multiple services | ✔ Gitea |
| License | MIT (true open source) | Open-core (CE/EE) | ✔ Gitea |
| Self-Host Cost | Free + cheap server | Free CE + expensive server needed | ✔ Gitea |
| DevOps Features | Git + issues + wiki | Full DevSecOps platform | ✔ GitLab |
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose GitLab if:
You need a full DevOps platform with built-in CI/CD, container registry, and security scanning. Best for teams that want everything in one place and have adequate server resources.
Choose Gitea if:
You want a lightweight git server that runs on minimal hardware, need a simple and fast deployment, or prefer a truly MIT-licensed tool. Add Woodpecker CI separately for CI/CD.
Consider Forgejo instead of Gitea:
Forgejo is a community-maintained fork of Gitea with more active development and is the engine behind Codeberg. It is generally recommended over Gitea for new deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
I've used both GitLab and Gitea extensively. GitLab feels more polished out of the box, but Gitea surprised me with how much it's improved recently. If I had to pick one today, I'd look at what my team is already using — switching costs are real.
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Last updated: . Pricing verified weekly.