Top Gitorious Alternatives for Your Git Hosting Needs

Gitorious, a robust code hosting service operating under the Free Software GNU AGPL license, has long served as an excellent platform for collaborating on distributed open-source projects. It provides essential infrastructure for hosting Git-based open-source initiatives, with projects at its core, managing repositories from both the project itself and its contributors. However, as the software development landscape evolves, many teams and individual developers seek out alternatives that might offer different features, pricing models, or community support. If you're looking for a new home for your Git repositories, this guide explores the best Gitorious alternatives available today.

Top Gitorious Alternatives

Whether you prioritize extensive features, a thriving community, self-hosting options, or specific integrations, there's a Gitorious alternative perfectly suited for your needs. Dive into our top recommendations below.

GitHub

GitHub is a widely recognized web-based hosting service for Git projects, known for its extensive community and collaborative features. It's a Freemium platform available across Mac, Windows, Web, Android, and BSD, offering features like File Versioning, Git integration, Unlimited private repos (Freemium tiers), IFTTT integration, and robust Version and Source control. GitHub stands out as a strong Gitorious alternative for those seeking a highly popular platform with a vast ecosystem and powerful collaboration tools.

GitLab

GitLab is a comprehensive web-based Git repository management solution that goes beyond simple hosting, incorporating wiki, code reviews, issue-tracking, and a powerful CI/CD pipeline. Available as Freemium and Open Source, it supports Linux, Web, BSD, and Self-Hosted environments. Key features include Unlimited private repos, Continuous builds, Continuous Deployment, Continuous Integration (CI/CD), and integrations with Jenkins and Jira, making it an excellent Gitorious alternative for teams requiring an all-in-one DevOps platform.

Bitbucket

Bitbucket offers robust code collaboration and version control, with both hosted (freemium for up to 5 users) and commercial self-hosted options. It's available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web platforms. As a strong Gitorious alternative, Bitbucket excels with features like Private repositories, Jira integration, Mercurial support alongside Git integration, Real-time collaboration, and comprehensive Version and Source control, catering to teams that value tight integration with Atlassian products.

Redmine

Redmine is a flexible, open-source project management web application written in Ruby on Rails. It's cross-platform and cross-database, integrating with various Version Control Systems (VCS). As a free and open-source Gitorious alternative, it offers customizable features, a Built-in File Manager, Gantt-charts, an Included wiki, Multi-project management, and VCS integration, making it ideal for organizations seeking a powerful project management tool with source code linking capabilities.

SourceForge

SourceForge is a veteran web-based source code repository that serves as a centralized location for managing open-source software development. It's a free, web-based platform primarily focused on Version and Source control. While perhaps less feature-rich than newer alternatives for direct Git hosting, SourceForge remains a viable Gitorious alternative for open-source projects looking for a stable and widely recognized platform for their code and community.

Gogs

Gogs (Go Git Service) is celebrated as the easiest, fastest, and most painless way to set up a self-hosted Git service. Built with Go, it offers an independent binary distribution across all major platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux) and is free and open source. Key features include Lightweight design, Code review, Version and Source control, and a Wiki, positioning it as an excellent Gitorious alternative for those prioritizing simplicity and self-hosting for their Git repositories.

JIRA

JIRA, trusted by thousands of businesses, is a leading commercial bug tracking, issue tracking, and project management tool. While not a direct Git hosting service like Gitorious, its powerful integrations make it a relevant alternative for teams that need comprehensive project management alongside their source control. Available on Mac, Web, and Self-Hosted, JIRA offers Multi-project management, Bug reporting, Customizable workflows, Kanban boards, and extensive workflow automation, often integrating seamlessly with dedicated Git hosting solutions.

Launchpad

Launchpad is a collaborative and Bazaar code hosting platform, primarily for open-source software projects, with free hosting for public projects. It's a free and open-source web platform, built with Python. Features include PPA (Personal Package Archives) and Real-time collaboration. While focused on Bazaar, its open-source emphasis and collaboration tools make it a consideration for projects seeking an alternative to Gitorious, especially those within the Ubuntu ecosystem.

GitBucket

GitBucket is an easily installable, open-source GitHub clone written in Scala. It provides a GitHub-like UI and features such as Git repository hosting via HTTP and SSH. As a free and open-source Gitorious alternative, it runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Self-Hosted environments, offering support for GitHub API and Private repositories, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a self-hosted solution with a familiar interface.

GitPrep

GitPrep is a GitHub clone designed for easy installation of a portable GitHub system on Unix/Linux. It allows users to create users and repositories without complex setups. This free and open-source Gitorious alternative supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and Self-Hosted environments, built with Perl. Key features include Forking Support, Git integration, and general GIT support, providing a straightforward self-hosted Git solution.

Fossil

Fossil is a simple, high-reliability, distributed software configuration management system that uniquely combines a distributed version control system, bug tracking system, and wiki software server in a single application. As a free and open-source Gitorious alternative, it supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and Self-Hosted environments, offering an Included wiki and comprehensive Version and Source control. It's ideal for projects that value a minimalist, all-in-one solution.

Kallithea

Kallithea is a free and open-source source code management system that stands out for supporting both leading version control systems: Mercurial and Git. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Self-Hosted platforms, built with Python, it offers Code review, Developer Tools, Git and Mercurial support, a sophisticated Permission system, Real-time collaboration, and robust Version and Source control. Kallithea is a strong Gitorious alternative for those needing multi-VCS support and fine-grained access control.

Gitweb

Gitweb is a lightweight Git web interface, written in Perl, that can be used as a CGI script or a mod_perl legacy script. As a free and open-source Gitorious alternative, it runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Self-Hosted environments. While it's primarily a viewer and lacks advanced features, it provides a basic web interface for Git repositories, suitable for those who need simple browsing capabilities without the overhead of more complex platforms.

Gitolite

Gitolite is a powerful tool that allows you to set up Git hosting on a central server with fine-grained access control and many other features. It's a free and open-source Gitorious alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Gitolite's core strength lies in its sophisticated Access Control and robust Version and Source control, making it an excellent choice for organizations that need precise control over who can access and modify their Git repositories.

GitList

GitList enables users to browse Git repositories using a web browser, view files under different revisions, commit history, and diffs. It is free and open source, available on Web and Self-Hosted platforms. As a Gitorious alternative, GitList focuses on providing a clean, easy-to-use interface for navigating Git repositories and their history, making it suitable for those needing a simple, web-based viewer without advanced collaboration features.

RhodeCode

RhodeCode is a fast and powerful management tool for Mercurial and GIT, featuring a built-in push/pull server, full-text search, and code review capabilities. It operates over HTTP/HTTPS and supports Windows, Linux, and Self-Hosted environments, built with Python. While it has a free, open-source version, it also offers commercial tiers. RhodeCode serves as a strong Gitorious alternative, particularly for teams working with both Git and Mercurial repositories who need comprehensive management and code review functionalities.

SourceRepo

SourceRepo offers secure, simple, and affordable source hosting, designed by developers for developers. It's a commercial web-based platform that emphasizes ease of use with its control panel. While specific features beyond general source hosting aren't detailed, SourceRepo could be a Gitorious alternative for teams looking for a managed, paid service with a focus on simplicity and security without the overhead of self-hosting.

TuxFamily

TuxFamily is a non-profit organization providing free services for projects and content aligned with the free software philosophy. As a free, web-based Gitorious alternative, it offers Version and Source control. It's an excellent option for free and open-source projects seeking reliable, community-oriented hosting without commercial pressures, embodying the spirit of Gitorious's origins.

With a wide array of Gitorious alternatives available, from all-encompassing DevOps platforms like GitLab and GitHub to minimalist self-hosted solutions like Gogs and GitBucket, there's a perfect fit for every team and project. Consider your specific needs regarding features, pricing, self-hosting capabilities, and community support to make the most informed decision for your next Git hosting solution.