GitHub
Reviewed by Alexis Morain · Updated July 10, 2026
GitHub hosts Git code and handles reviews, continuous integration, and project tracking. Generous free plan, Team at 4 $/user/month.
The unavoidable standard for code hosting and collaboration, especially for open source.
- The de facto standard for hosting and sharing code
- Pull requests, reviews, and issues at the core of the team workflow
- CI/CD minutes and storage capped on the free plan
GitHub is the go-to platform for hosting code and collaborating on it with others. Built around Git and owned by Microsoft since 2018, it has become the center of gravity for open source development and thousands of private teams.
What is GitHub used for?
GitHub stores code repositories, manages pull requests and reviews, and tracks issues. GitHub Actions automates tests and deployments (continuous integration), and Packages hosts build artifacts. It's also the largest network of developers, the public showcase where reputation and open source contributions play out. It integrates natively with VS Code and Docker.
GitHub or GitLab?
GitLab offers a more integrated, single-vendor DevOps chain and a stronger self-hosted option. GitHub keeps the edge on community, its integration ecosystem, and, with Copilot, the AI assistant most tightly built into the workflow. For open source, GitHub remains the default choice.
What are the limits of GitHub?
The free plan is generous but caps continuous integration minutes and storage. Advanced governance features and data residency require the Enterprise plan at 21 $/user. Copilot is billed separately.
Pros & Cons
- The de facto standard for hosting and sharing code
- Pull requests, reviews, and issues at the core of the team workflow
- GitHub Actions to automate tests and deployments
- The largest network of developers and open source projects
- CI/CD minutes and storage capped on the free plan
- Advanced governance reserved for the Enterprise plan
- Copilot billed separately
Key features of GitHub
Git repositories
Unlimited public and private code hosting
Pull requests
Collaborative code review and merging
GitHub Actions
Automated continuous integration and deployment
Projects and issues
Task and bug tracking tied directly to the code
GitHub pricing
The free plan already covers the essentials, private repositories included. The Team plan at 4 $/user/month adds Codespaces and more CI/CD minutes. Advanced governance and data residency require Enterprise at 21 $/user. Copilot is billed separately.
Free plan / trial
Free plan: unlimited public and private repositories, but continuous integration minutes (2,000/month) and storage are capped, with no advanced governance.
Free
Unlimited public and private repositories · 2,000 CI/CD minutes per month · Community support
0 $
Team
Codespaces · 3,000 CI/CD minutes per month · Repository rules and reviews
4 $ per user/month
Enterprise
SAML SSO and audit logs · Data residency · 50,000 CI/CD minutes per month
21 $ per user/month
Pricing verified on July 10, 2026
Try GitHubWho is GitHub for?
Best for
- Open source projects and developer communities
- Teams that want code, reviews, and CI in one place
- Developers building a public showcase of contributions
Not recommended for
- Teams requiring a fully integrated, all-in-one DevOps chain (see GitLab)
- Strict data residency requirements outside the Enterprise plan
Want to try GitHub?
Head to the official site and the current offer.
Frequently asked questions about GitHub
Is GitHub free?▼
GitHub or GitLab?▼
Is Copilot included with GitHub?▼
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