Overview
GitHub is the world's largest code hosting platform with Git repositories, CI/CD, code review, and project management. With a freemium pricing model, GitHub offers a free tier that lets teams get started without commitment. The platform is particularly well-suited for open source and teams, offering features tailored to their specific workflows.
When GitHub may NOT be a good fit
GitHub may not be ideal if microsoft ownership concerns is a dealbreaker for your workflow.
Key Features
Pros
- Industry standard
- Great ecosystem
- Free for open source
- GitHub Actions
Cons
- Microsoft ownership concerns
- UI can be cluttered
- Pricing model
Best For
Integrations
Pricing
- Unlimited public repos
- Unlimited private repos
- Actions minutes
- Protected branches
- Code owners
- Actions minutes
- SAML SSO
- Advanced auditing
- Premium support
Quick Stats
- Founded
- 2008
- HQ
- San Francisco, CA
- Employees
- 3000+
How We Evaluate GitHub
Our review process combines hands-on testing with comprehensive research to provide accurate, unbiased evaluations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links.
Pricing & Limits
Verified and compared
Docs Reviewed
Documentation quality checked
Integrations
Compatibility verified
User Feedback
Community reviews analyzed
Changelog
Recent updates tracked
Alternatives to GitHub
View all alternativesCompare GitHub to Other Tools
All comparisonsFrequently Asked Questions about GitHub
What is GitHub?
GitHub is the world's largest code hosting platform with Git repositories, CI/CD, code review, and project management.
What is GitHub used for?
GitHub is primarily used for open source, teams, enterprise. It offers features like Repositories, Actions, Codespaces, Copilot.
Who is GitHub for?
GitHub is best suited for Open Source, Teams, Enterprise, CI/CD. It's particularly popular among teams looking for repositories solutions.
What are the main features of GitHub?
The main features of GitHub include: Repositories, Actions, Codespaces, Copilot, Security, Projects.
Is GitHub free?
Yes, GitHub offers a free plan with basic features.
Does GitHub offer a free trial?
Yes, GitHub offers a freemium model, allowing you to try core features for free before upgrading.
How much does GitHub cost?
GitHub offers custom pricing. Contact their sales team for a quote tailored to your needs.
What are the pros of GitHub?
Key advantages of GitHub include: Industry standard. Great ecosystem. Free for open source. GitHub Actions.
What are the cons of GitHub?
Some limitations of GitHub include: Microsoft ownership concerns. UI can be cluttered. Pricing model.
What are the best alternatives to GitHub?
Top alternatives to GitHub include Jira, GitLab, Cursor, Segment, Vercel. Each offers similar functionality with different strengths.
What integrations does GitHub support?
GitHub integrates with VS Code, Jira, Slack, Vercel.
Is GitHub good for small businesses?
GitHub can be a good fit for small businesses, especially those needing open source. Their free plan makes it accessible for budget-conscious teams.
Written by
Marcus RodriguezTechnical Writer & Developer Advocate
Full-stack developer focused on developer tools, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.