vs
GitHub Pages vs GitLab Pages: which free plan?
GitLab Pages has fewer strings attached on its free plan (score 93 vs 88). GitHub Pages can still be the better choice for the cases below.
Both checked against their official pricing pages on 1 Nov 2026.
| Type | Repo static hosting | Repo static hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Free-tier score | 88 / 100 | 93 / 100 |
| Card to sign up | Not required | Not required |
| Free plan ends | Never | Never |
| Sleeps when idle | No | No |
| Commercial use | Not allowed | Not stated |
| Own domain on free | Yes | Yes |
| Free subdomain | *.github.io | *.gitlab.io |
| Free limits |
|
|
| The catch | On a free account the repo must be public, and GitHub says Pages is not meant for online shops or SaaS. | Builds run on the shared 400 CI/CD minutes a month, which other pipelines also use. |
| Paid from | $4/mo (GitHub Pro (Pages from private repos)) | $29/mo (Premium (per user, billed yearly)) |
| Source | Official pricing for GitHub Pages (opens in a new tab) | Official pricing for GitLab Pages (opens in a new tab) |
Which one should you pick?
Pick GitHub Pages if…
- your project is: portfolios, docs and project sites
Pick GitLab Pages if…
- your project is: teams already on GitLab
Questions
Which is better for free, GitHub Pages or GitLab Pages?
GitLab Pages has fewer strings attached on its free plan (score 93 vs 88). GitHub Pages can still be the better choice for the cases below.
Does GitHub Pages or GitLab Pages need a credit card?
GitHub Pages: no. GitLab Pages: no.
What is the catch with GitHub Pages and GitLab Pages?
GitHub Pages: On a free account the repo must be public, and GitHub says Pages is not meant for online shops or SaaS. GitLab Pages: Builds run on the shared 400 CI/CD minutes a month, which other pipelines also use.