---
title: "GitHub Pricing, Features & Alternatives (2026)"
description: "GitHub review: Version Control & Code Review tool — Free tier, plans, pros & cons, and the best GitHub alternatives compared for startups in 2026."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/github
retrieved: 2026-08-31
---

![GitHub logo](https://appstackbuilder.com/logos/github.ico)

[Version Control & Code Review](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/version-control)Free tier

# GitHub: Pricing, Features & Alternatives

GitHub is the default home for source control: repositories, pull requests, Actions for CI, Packages, Codespaces and an issue tracker, wrapped around the network effect that matters most — every developer you hire already has an account and knows the review flow. Team is $4 per user per month; the free tier covers unlimited private repos for small teams.

Category

Version Control & Code Review

Pricing

Free tier available

Free tier

Yes

Best for

Version Control & Code Review — git, code-review

[Visit GitHub official site](https://github.com/)

## GitHub Pricing Plans (2026)

| Plan        | Price              | Highlights                                                                                       |
| ----------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Free        | $0                 | Unlimited public and private repos · 2,000 Actions minutes / month · Dependabot security updates |
| TeamPopular | $4 / user / month  | Protected branches and rulesets · Required reviewers and code owners · Draft pull requests       |
| Enterprise  | $21 / user / month | Enterprise Managed Users and SCIM · Data residency · Audit Log API                               |

Pricing summary: Free · paid from $4/mo. Always confirm current pricing on the official site.

## Key GitHub Features

* ✓Protected branches and rulesets
* ✓Required reviewers and code owners
* ✓Draft pull requests
* ✓3,000 Actions minutes / month

### ✓ Pros

* +The network effect — everyone is already here
* +Actions covers CI without another vendor
* +Best-in-class ecosystem and integrations
* +Cheap Team tier

### ✗ Cons

* −Actions minutes and storage bill separately
* −Enterprise pricing is a big jump
* −Issues stay basic next to a real tracker

## Best GitHub Alternatives

[Compare all ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tool-alternatives/github)

[![GitLab logo](https://appstackbuilder.com/logos/gitlab.png)GitLabFree · paid from $29/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/gitlab)[![Gitea logo](https://appstackbuilder.com/logos/gitea.png)GiteaFree](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/gitea)[![Bitbucket logo](https://appstackbuilder.com/logos/bitbucket.png)BitbucketFree · paid from $3.65/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/bitbucket)

## GitHub Compared

[GitHub vs CodeRabbit](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/coderabbit-vs-github)[GitHub vs GitLab](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/github-vs-gitlab)[GitHub vs Graphite](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/github-vs-graphite)[GitHub vs Gitea](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/gitea-vs-github)[GitHub vs Bitbucket](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/bitbucket-vs-github)

## GitHub FAQ

What is GitHub used for?⌄

GitHub is a version control & code review tool. Where the code, the pull requests and most of the people who might contribute to them already are.

Is GitHub free?⌄

Yes — GitHub has a free tier you can start with, and paid plans for more usage and features.

How much does GitHub cost?⌄

GitHub offers a free tier, with paid plans starting at $4/month.

What are the best GitHub alternatives?⌄

Popular GitHub alternatives include GitLab, Gitea, Bitbucket. Compare pricing and features on our GitHub alternatives page.

## Not sure if GitHub fits your stack?

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[Build my stack free ](https://appstackbuilder.com/)