Overview
| Parameter | GitLab | Gitea |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Ruby on Rails, Go | Go |
| Min RAM | 4 GB (8 GB recommended) | 100 MB |
| Built-in CI/CD | Yes (GitLab CI) | Limited (Gitea Actions) |
| License | Proprietary / MIT (Core) | MIT |
| Database | PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite |
GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps lifecycle platform. It includes repository management, CI/CD, monitoring, security (SAST/DAST), and a container registry. Gitea is a fork of Gogs focused on performance and simplicity. It is a lightweight Git hosting solution that can run even on a Raspberry Pi.
Performance
GitLab requires significant resources due to its Ruby on Rails architecture and numerous background processes (Sidekiq, Gitaly). Stable operation for 10-20 users requires at least 4 CPU cores and 8 GB of RAM. Gitea consumes about 100-150 MB of RAM at idle. A single Gitea instance on a budget VPS (1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM) can serve dozens of active developers without latency during git push and git pull operations.
Configuration & complexity
GitLab Omnibus installation takes about 15-20 minutes and requires configuration via /etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb. After changes, you must run gitlab-ctl reconfigure, which is time-consuming. Gitea is distributed as a single binary or a Docker image. Configuration is managed in app.ini. Example of database setup in Gitea:
[database]
DB_TYPE = postgres
HOST = 127.0.0.1:5432
NAME = gitea
USER = giteaWhen to choose what
GitLab is necessary if a team requires deep CI/CD integration, built-in Kubernetes support, and advanced access control (Protected Environments). Gitea is suitable for repository mirroring, personal projects, or small teams that need a fast web interface for code review and a basic issue tracker without redundant features.
Cost / licensing
GitLab follows an Open Core model. The free version (CE) is significantly limited in security and group management features. The Premium version costs $29 per user per month. Gitea is completely free and distributed under the MIT license. All features, including LFS and Actions, are available immediately without subscriptions.
Ecosystem & integrations
GitLab features native integration with Terraform, Vault, Prometheus, and Jira. Its API covers 100% of the functionality. Gitea supports integration with external CI systems like Drone or Woodpecker via webhooks. Recent Gitea versions include Actions, which support GitHub Actions syntax, simplifying migration.
Verdict
Choose GitLab for enterprise development where CI/CD pipelines and compliance are critical. Choose Gitea if you are limited by server resources or need a simple, fast code hosting tool without the overhead of administering a complex system.