Gitea: Free Open Source Git Versioning Platform
Gitea is a lightweight, free, and open-source Git versioning platform designed to offer everything developers need to host, manage, and deploy their applications.
With its simple setup and extensive feature set, Gitea provides a strong alternative to proprietary platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab. It gives you full control over your code and infrastructure while ensuring seamless collaboration and integration capabilities.
Watch our Gitea platform overview
Private Repositories & Limits of Proprietary Platforms
Many developers turn to self-hosted solutions like Gitea to overcome the limitations of proprietary services:
- GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab impose restrictions on private repositories and user accounts based on pricing tiers.
- Data ownership concerns arise when hosting code on third-party services.
- Limited CI/CD minutes and storage quotas can hinder development workflows.
- Enterprise features are often locked behind expensive subscriptions.
Gitea removes these constraints by offering full repository control, unlimited private repositories, and the flexibility to customize infrastructure according to your needs.
Code Hosting
Gitea enables easy creation and management of Git repositories while enhancing the code review process. Its streamlined UI and feature-rich environment include:
- Branch management and merging tools for structured development workflows.
- Pull request and code review system to ensure quality and collaboration.
- Built-in issue tracking and discussions to centralize project communication.
- Fine-grained access control to protect sensitive codebases.
Designed for both individuals and teams, Gitea ensures a smooth and efficient code hosting experience.
CI/CD
Gitea features an integrated CI/CD system known as Gitea Actions, which is nearly 100% compatible with GitHub Actions. This allows developers to:
- Create automated workflows using YAML syntax.
- Leverage over 20,000 pre-existing GitHub Actions.
- Seamlessly integrate with external CI/CD services like Drone, Jenkins, and ArgoCD.
- Deploy applications with minimal setup using an integrated UI.
By incorporating CI/CD into its core, Gitea eliminates the need for additional third-party tools, reducing complexity and cost.
Projects
Project management is a crucial aspect of software development, and Gitea includes built-in tools to help teams organize tasks and track progress:
- Kanban boards for visualizing development pipelines.
- Issue tracking with labeling, milestones, and assignments.
- Time tracking and dependencies to enhance productivity.
These features make it easy to manage requirements, features, and bug fixes within the same platform where your code resides.
Packages & Integrations
Gitea supports over 20 different package managers, allowing developers to host and distribute software artifacts efficiently. Supported package formats include:
- NPM, Maven, PyPI, RubyGems, Cargo, and NuGet.
- Container registries like Docker and Helm.
Additionally, Gitea offers extensive integration capabilities with external tools:
- Chat tool integration with Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, and more.
- API and webhooks to extend automation and workflow customization.
- GitHub Actions compatibility, allowing seamless migration and reuse of existing automation setups.
Conclusion
Gitea provides a powerful, self-hosted alternative to mainstream Git platforms, giving developers full control over their repositories, CI/CD workflows, and package management. With its lightweight architecture, rich feature set, and open-source nature, Gitea is an excellent choice for individuals, teams, and enterprises looking for a cost-effective and flexible Git hosting solution.
Whether you need private repositories, integrated CI/CD, or project management tools, Gitea delivers everything required to streamline software development without vendor lock-in.