Top CodePlex Alternatives for Open Source Project Hosting
CodePlex was Microsoft's open-source project hosting website, a valuable resource for developers to start new projects, join existing ones, or download community-created software. However, with its discontinuation, many developers are searching for robust and feature-rich CodePlex alternatives to continue their collaborative efforts. This article explores the best platforms that fill the void left by CodePlex, offering excellent solutions for version control, project management, and community collaboration.
Top CodePlex Alternatives
Whether you're looking for advanced Git integration, comprehensive project management tools, or simply a reliable place to host your open-source code, these alternatives provide diverse options to suit various development needs.
GitHub
GitHub is a widely recognized web-based hosting service for projects utilizing the Git revision control system. As a Freemium platform available on Mac, Windows, Web, Android, and other systems, it stands out as a premier CodePlex alternative. It offers powerful features like File Versioning, Git integration, unlimited private repos, IFTTT integration, and robust bug reporting, making it ideal for distributed and collaborative development.
GitLab
GitLab offers web-based Git repository management alongside a wiki, code reviews, issue-tracking, and a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline. Available as Freemium and Open Source for Linux, Web, and self-hosted environments, GitLab is a powerful CodePlex alternative. Its key features include unlimited private repos, continuous builds, continuous deployment, continuous integration (CI/CD), and integrations with Jenkins and Jira, providing an all-in-one solution for the software development lifecycle.
Bitbucket
Bitbucket provides code collaboration and version control, offering hosted (freemium) plans for up to 5 users and a commercial self-hosted option. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, it's a strong CodePlex alternative, particularly for teams using both Git and Mercurial. Its notable features include private repositories, Jira integration, Mercurial support, Git integration, and real-time collaboration, facilitating efficient team workflows.
Redmine
Redmine is a flexible, open-source project management web application written using the Ruby on Rails framework. As a cross-platform and cross-database solution available on Web and self-hosted environments, Redmine is an excellent CodePlex alternative for project organization. It boasts features like customizable interfaces, a built-in file manager, employee time tracking, Gantt charts, an included wiki, and VCS integration, making it highly adaptable for various project needs.
SourceForge
SourceForge is a well-established web-based source code repository that serves as a centralized location for developers to manage open-source software development. Available for free on the Web, it offers core version and source control features, making it a straightforward CodePlex alternative focused on code hosting and community distribution.
Gogs
Gogs, short for Go Git Service, provides the easiest and fastest way to set up a self-hosted Git service. This free, open-source platform, built with Go, is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, offering a lightweight and independent binary distribution. It's a great CodePlex alternative for those prioritizing self-hosting, featuring code review, version and source control, and a built-in wiki.
JIRA
JIRA is a leading commercial bug tracking, issue tracking, and project management tool trusted by thousands of businesses. Available on Mac, Web, and for self-hosting, JIRA stands as a robust CodePlex alternative for comprehensive project oversight. It combines issue tracking with agile project management, offering multi-project management, customizable workflows, Kanban boards, and workflow automation, making it ideal for complex development cycles.
Launchpad
Launchpad is a free, open-source collaboration and Bazaar code hosting platform, primarily for open-source software projects. Available on the Web and built with Python, it's a suitable CodePlex alternative, particularly for projects within the Ubuntu ecosystem. It offers free hosting for public projects and features like PPA (Personal Package Archive) support and real-time collaboration, facilitating community-driven development.
GitBucket
GitBucket is an easily installable, open-source GitHub clone written in Scala. Available for free on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and for self-hosting, it provides a GitHub-like UI and features, including Git repository hosting via HTTP and SSH. As a strong CodePlex alternative, GitBucket offers private repositories and supports the GitHub API, making it a familiar and powerful option for self-hosted Git needs.
A1 Project Manager
A1 Project Manager is a free task and project management software that automatically keeps teams organized and monitors project progress. Available on the Web as a SaaS solution, it focuses on real-time collaboration and task management. While not a direct code hosting platform like CodePlex, it serves as an excellent alternative for managing the project aspects of software development, ensuring teams stay on track.
The landscape of open-source project hosting has evolved significantly since CodePlex. Each of these alternatives offers unique strengths, from advanced Git capabilities to comprehensive project management tools. We encourage you to explore these options and choose the platform that best aligns with your team's workflow, project requirements, and collaboration needs.