GitHub Actions
- Deep integration with GitHub repositories, ideal for GitHub-hosted projects.
- Uses YAML for defining workflows with extensive pre-built actions available in the GitHub Marketplace.
- Supports containerized execution environments for consistency across builds.
- Requires manual setup for complex strategies like canary and blue-green deployments.
- Supports parallel job execution to improve build times.
- Not directly available; relies on custom configurations for automation.
- Supports artifact storage with retention policies; integrations needed for more features.
- Supports Linux, Windows, and macOS runners.
- Extensive marketplace for third-party integrations.
- Free tier with charges based on minutes used; free for public repositories.
- Based on our professional experience, larger GitHub Actions projects, such as Kubernetes, tend to bog down the system and cause strange errors that are not present with GitLab CI/CD.
GitLab CI/CD
- Integrated into GitLab’s complete DevOps platform, including code management and issue tracking.
- Uses YAML for pipeline configuration with a visual editor for basic workflows.
- Allows the use of Docker containers and custom runners for flexible execution environments.
- Offers built-in support for advanced deployment strategies such as canary and blue-green.
- Supports parallel execution of jobs and stages within pipelines.
- Auto DevOps automatically configures CI/CD pipelines for projects.
- Built-in artifact management and security scanning.
- Primarily supports Linux runners; Windows and macOS support in beta.
- Offers integrations with popular tools like Jira, Jenkins, and Slack.
- Free tier with unlimited minutes on GitLab-hosted runners; paid plans offer more features.
GitHub Actions is a great tool that allows developers to automate various tasks directly within their GitHub repositories. It’s not just about continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD); GitHub Actions can also handle tasks like running code quality checks, managing deployments, and sending notifications. Developers use YAML files to set up these workflows, and with a vast marketplace of pre-built actions, they have plenty of options to customize and streamline their processes. This flexibility is a real plus for projects with complex needs or those that rely on third-party services.
Notice the repository size limits between plans of GitHub and Gitlab. Gitlab is the clear winner here.
When it comes to running these workflows, GitHub Actions operates each step in a containerized environment. This means that no matter where the code is run, it will behave the same way, which helps avoid issues that might arise from differences in development environments. For projects with specific needs—like certain hardware requirements—GitHub offers self-hosted runners, giving developers control over the performance and configuration of their workflows. However, setting up advanced deployment strategies, like canary or blue-green deployments, often requires a bit of manual tweaking and expertise.
Despite all its advantages, some developers have noticed that GitHub Actions can sometimes throw up errors that are less common in GitLab CI/CD. This might be because GitLab offers a more isolated environment in a for each project in a more robust machine, which could reduce the chances of conflicts related to dependencies or shared resources.
On the security side, GitHub Actions is pretty solid. It uses a token-based system to manage permissions, following a least-privilege approach—meaning it only gives the access needed for a specific task. The GITHUB_TOKEN is only active while the job is running and isn’t accessible by default, adding an extra layer of security. For organizations with strict security requirements, permissions can be finely tuned at both the workflow and job levels, making GitHub Actions a good fit for those with rigorous compliance needs.
GitHub is at least 10x more popular in 2024, on average, based on a few random polls.
GitLab CI/CD is a similar tool that enables teams to automate their DevOps processes within the GitLab ecosystem. It integrates with code repositories, issue tracking, and artifact management, and supports advanced deployment strategies such as canary and blue-green deployments, minimizing the need for manual configuration.
Pipelines are configured using YAML files, and a visual editor is available for workflow creation. The runner architecture supports Linux and offers beta support for Windows and macOS, accommodating various environments. By leveraging Docker containers and custom runners, GitLab CI/CD allows for tailored execution environments suited to specific project requirements. The Auto DevOps feature automates CI/CD pipeline setup, reducing the effort required for manual configurations.
A key feature of GitLab CI/CD is its container isolation approach, which mitigates errors caused by conflicts or shared resources by providing separate environments for each project. This enhances reliability, making it suitable for organizations with complex CI/CD needs.
For security, GitLab CI/CD utilizes a CI_JOB_TOKEN that inherits the permissions of the user who triggers the job, with the option to extend permissions as necessary. This simplifies permission management across multiple repositories. It also integrates with external secret management tools like HashiCorp Vault, allowing for secure management of sensitive information.
When deciding between GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD, like many software engineering decisions, the choice often depends on existing infrastructure and specific requirements. GitHub Actions is well-suited for teams integrated into the GitHub ecosystem, particularly for custom workflows and third-party integrations. In contrast, GitLab CI/CD is ideal for organizations seeking a comprehensive DevOps solution with built-in features and better error isolation.
Both platforms offer free tiers, but their pricing structures differ: GitHub Actions charges based on usage, while GitLab CI/CD provides unlimited minutes for self-hosted runners.