Gitea vs. GitLab CE on Docker: Choosing Your Self-Hosted Git Service (2025)

Self-hosting your Git repositories offers greater control, privacy, and cost savings compared to cloud-based services like GitHub or GitLab.com. Two popular open-source choices for self-hosting, especially using Docker for easy deployment, are Gitea and GitLab Community Edition (CE). But which one is right for your needs? This guide compares Gitea vs GitLab CE on Docker to help you decide.

Why Self-Host Your Git Repositories?

• Control: Full ownership of your codebase and infrastructure.
• Privacy: Keep sensitive code entirely within your network.
• Customization: Tailor the environment to your specific workflow.
• Cost: Avoid per-user fees, paying only for your hosting infrastructure.
• Integration: Integrate tightly with other self-hosted tools.

Introducing the Contenders

Gitea: The Lightweight Champion

Gitea is a community-managed fork of Gogs (Go Git Service), written in Go. It’s designed to be incredibly lightweight, fast, and easy to set up. Its primary focus is providing core Git hosting functionality efficiently.

Key Strengths:

• Minimal Resource Usage: Runs well on low-power devices like Raspberry Pis or small VMs.
• Simplicity: Easy to install, configure, and maintain.
• Fast Performance: Go backend provides snappy UI and Git operations.
• Core Features: Excellent Git repository management, issue tracking, pull requests, wikis, and basic CI/CD via third-party integrations (like Drone CI, Jenkins).

GitLab Community Edition (CE): The All-in-One DevOps Platform

GitLab CE is the open-source version of the popular GitLab platform. Written primarily in Ruby on Rails, it aims to be a complete DevOps lifecycle tool, offering a vast array of features beyond simple Git hosting.

Key Strengths:

• Comprehensive Feature Set: Includes powerful built-in CI/CD, container registry, project management tools, monitoring, and more.
• Integrated Experience: Provides a seamless workflow from code to deployment within one platform.
• Scalability: Designed to handle larger teams and complex projects.
• Strong Community & Enterprise Support: Backed by GitLab Inc. with extensive documentation and an optional upgrade path to the Enterprise Edition (EE).

Feature Comparison: Gitea vs. GitLab CE

Feature	Gitea	GitLab CE	Notes
Primary Language	Go	Ruby on Rails	Go is generally more resource-efficient.
Resource Usage	Very Low (Minimal RAM/CPU)	Moderate to High (Requires more RAM/CPU)	Gitea is ideal for Raspberry Pi or small VPS.
Ease of Setup	Very Easy (Single binary or simple Docker)	Moderate (Docker simplifies, but more complex)	Both are manageable with Docker Compose.
Git Hosting	Excellent	Excellent	Core functionality is solid in both.
Issue Tracking	Good (Labels, milestones, assignees)	Excellent (Boards, epics, iterations, weights)	GitLab offers more advanced project management features.
CI/CD	Basic (via integrations like Drone, Jenkins)	Excellent (Built-in, powerful runners)	GitLab’s integrated CI/CD is a major advantage for DevOps workflows.
Container Registry	No (Requires external solution)	Yes (Built-in)	GitLab provides an integrated Docker registry.
Wiki / Docs	Yes	Yes	Both offer repository wikis.
Web IDE	Basic file editing	Yes (More advanced editing capabilities)	GitLab offers a more capable in-browser editor.
Complexity	Low	High	Gitea is simpler to manage and understand.
Community	Active & Growing	Very Large & Mature	Both have strong communities.

Resource Usage: The Deciding Factor?

This is often the most significant difference.

• Gitea: Can comfortably run with < 1GB of RAM and minimal CPU, making it perfect for a self-host git server docker setup on a Raspberry Pi, a cheap VPS, or a low-power Mini PC.
• GitLab CE: Officially recommends at least 4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores for a smooth experience, though it can consume more under load, especially with CI/CD jobs. Running it on very constrained hardware can lead to slow performance.

If you’re planning to host on minimal hardware, Gitea is the clear winner.

Mini PC for Self-Hosting

amazon.com

Low-power small form factor PC with Intel Celeron N100 or similar for efficient self-hosting

Ease of Setup with Docker Compose

Both Gitea and GitLab CE offer official Docker images, making setup significantly easier.

Example docker-compose.yml for Gitea:

version: \'3\'

networks:
  gitea_net:
    external: false

services:
  gitea:
    image: gitea/gitea:latest
    container_name: gitea
    environment:
      - USER_UID=1000
      - USER_GID=1000
      # - GITEA__database__DB_TYPE=postgres # Or mysql, mssql, sqlite3
      # - GITEA__database__HOST=db:5432
      # - GITEA__database__NAME=gitea
      # - GITEA__database__USER=gitea
      # - GITEA__database__PASSWD=your_strong_password
    restart: always
    networks:
      - gitea_net
    volumes:
      - ./gitea:/data # Mount for persistent data
      - /etc/timezone:/etc/timezone:ro
      - /etc/localtime:/etc/localtime:ro
    ports:
      - \'3000:3000\' # HTTP port
      - \'2222:22\' # SSH port (mapped to avoid conflict)
    # depends_on:
    #   - db # Uncomment if using an external DB container

  # Optional Database (e.g., PostgreSQL)
  # db:
  #   image: postgres:14
  #   restart: always
  #   environment:
  #     - POSTGRES_USER=gitea
  #     - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=your_strong_password
  #     - POSTGRES_DB=gitea
  #   networks:
  #     - gitea_net
  #   volumes:
  #     - ./postgres:/var/lib/postgresql/data

(Remember to configure the database settings in the gitea service if not using the default SQLite)

Example docker-compose.yml for GitLab CE:

version: \'3.6\'

services:
  web:
    image: \'gitlab/gitlab-ce:latest\'
    container_name: gitlab
    restart: always
    hostname: \'your-gitlab.example.com\' # Set your desired hostname
    environment:
      GITLAB_OMNIBUS_CONFIG: |
        external_url \'http://your-gitlab.example.com\' # Use http or https
        # Add other GitLab configuration options here
        # gitlab_rails[\'gitlab_shell_ssh_port\'] = 2222 # Example: Change SSH port
    ports:
      - \'80:80\' # HTTP port
      - \'443:443\' # HTTPS port (if using SSL)
      - \'2222:22\' # SSH port (mapped to avoid conflict)
    volumes:
      - \'./gitlab/config:/etc/gitlab\'
      - \'./gitlab/logs:/var/log/gitlab\'
      - \'./gitlab/data:/var/opt/gitlab\'
    shm_size: \'256m\' # Recommended shared memory size

(GitLab’s Docker setup involves configuring settings within the GITLAB_OMNIBUS_CONFIG environment variable. Replace your-gitlab.example.com with your actual domain or IP address).

As you can see, the Gitea docker tutorial setup is generally simpler with fewer moving parts compared to the GitLab CE docker tutorial.

Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Gitea if:

• You primarily need reliable, fast Git repository hosting.
• You are running on resource-constrained hardware (Raspberry Pi, low-end VPS, NAS).
• You prefer a simpler, focused application that’s easy to manage.
• You are an individual developer or a small team with basic collaboration needs.
• You plan to use separate, dedicated tools for advanced CI/CD or project management.
• You’re looking for the most lightweight git server option.

Choose GitLab CE if:

• You need an integrated, all-in-one DevOps platform.
• Built-in, powerful CI/CD is a critical requirement.
• You need features like a container registry, advanced issue tracking, and project management boards.
• You have sufficient hardware resources (4GB+ RAM, multiple CPU cores).
• You manage a larger team or complex projects requiring a unified workflow.
• You value the extensive features and ecosystem provided by GitLab.

Security Considerations

Regardless of your choice, remember to secure your self-hosted instance:

• Use HTTPS: Configure SSL/TLS certificates (Let’s Encrypt is a great option).
• Strong Passwords & 2FA: Enforce strong user authentication.
• Regular Updates: Keep Gitea/GitLab and the underlying system patched.
• Firewall Rules: Restrict access to necessary ports.
• Backups: Implement a robust backup strategy for your repository data and configurations. Consider both local (e.g., external SSD) and offsite backups.

External SSD for Backups

amazon.com

Portable solid state drive for reliable, high-performance backups of your Git repositories

DigitalOcean VPS

www.digitalocean.com

Affordable cloud hosting solution for small to medium Git repositories with pay-as-you-go pricing

Conclusion

Both Gitea and GitLab CE are excellent choices for self-hosting Git repositories using Docker.

• Gitea excels in simplicity, speed, and minimal resource usage, making it the best self-hosted git for small teams or individuals on a budget or with limited hardware.
• GitLab CE offers a comprehensive, integrated DevOps platform ideal for teams needing built-in CI/CD, container registry, and advanced project management features, provided you have adequate hardware resources.

Evaluate your specific needs, technical resources, and desired feature set. For many looking for straightforward, efficient Git hosting, Gitea provides an outstanding, lightweight solution. If you need the full DevOps suite, and have the hardware to support it, GitLab CE is the more powerful option.