GitLab vs GitHub

Considering a switch from GitHub to a European alternative? GitLab offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.

Quick Overview

GitLab

Headquarters: Utrecht, NL
Pricing: Free
Open Source: Yes

GitHub

GitHub is a code hosting and collaboration platform owned by Microsoft that provides version control, code review, CI/CD, and project management tools for software development.

The Case for GitLab

GitLab stores all data exclusively in EU, US, under European jurisdiction. Unlike GitHub, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, GitLab cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
GitLab offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
As an open-source solution, GitLab gives you full code transparency. You can verify that the software does what it claims, audit it for security vulnerabilities, and even self-host it for maximum control — something that is simply not possible with GitHub.
You can try GitLab for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — GitHub, without any financial risk.

Why Switch to GitLab?

Concerns with GitHub

US CLOUD Act jurisdiction (owned by Microsoft)
Source code accessible to US authorities
Copilot AI trained on repository code raising IP concerns
Actions secrets and environment variables stored on US servers

GitLab Compliance

GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA

Headquarters: Utrecht, NL
Data Centers: EU, US

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GitLab vs GitHub — FAQ

Is GitHub GDPR compliant?

GitHub may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. GitLab, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.

How does GitLab compare to GitHub in features?

GitLab offers Git repositories, CI/CD pipelines, Container registry, Issue tracking, and 6 more features. While GitHub's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, GitLab covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (GitHub) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (GitLab).

Can I migrate from GitHub to GitLab?

Yes. Most European software providers, including GitLab, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning GitHub must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.