Choosing a Git-hosting platform is a major decision for any developer team, especially small ones juggling limited resources. While many platforms offer repositories, only a few come with powerful integrated Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines out of the box. These built-in tools can dramatically reduce reliance on third-party services, help teams move faster, and simplify toolchains.
TL;DR:
If you’re looking for Git-hosting platforms that come with built-in CI/CD support to help your small team build, test, and deploy code faster without relying on external tools, you’re in the right place. GitLab, SourceHut, Gitea, Codeberg, and Forgejo all provide solid CI/CD experiences bundled with version control. Each offers something unique, whether it’s simplicity, self-hosting ease, or advanced automation features. Read on to understand the pros and cons of each and find the perfect fit for your team’s workflow.
Why CI/CD Integration Matters for Small Teams
For small development teams, minimizing context switching and tool fragmentation is crucial. Built-in CI/CD pipelines:
- Streamline the development process by bringing code commits, testing, and deployment into a single platform.
- Reduce costs by removing the need for external third-party CI/CD services.
- Boost team collaboration through unified tooling and user experience.
Let’s break down the top 5 Git-hosting platforms that small teams are embracing to streamline their delivery pipelines without the need for external integrations.
1. GitLab – The Feature Powerhouse
GitLab is often seen as the Swiss army knife of Git tools. It combines everything under one roof: repository hosting, CI/CD, security scanning, and even container registries. Its integrated CI/CD system is one of the most flexible and powerful available.
Key CI/CD features:
- Auto DevOps: Automatically builds, tests, and deploys your application if you follow GitLab’s conventions.
- Custom Runners: Run your CI pipelines on your own infrastructure for greater control.
- Pipeline visualization: Get a clear view of every pipeline stage and where processes slow down.
GitLab is well-suited for teams looking for advanced CI features and aren’t afraid of a little configuration. That said, its interface and multitude of options may feel overwhelming for beginners or teams looking for a leaner system.
2. SourceHut – Minimalist and Scriptable
If you value speed, minimalism, and transparency, SourceHut will catch your attention. Unlike monolithic tools, SourceHut embraces the Unix philosophy: small tools, deeply integrate-able. It’s built for people who like scripting and lean systems.
Its CI tool, builds.sr.ht, is plain-text based, highly flexible, and fast.
Highlights include:
- YAML-free pipelines: Pipelines are written as shell scripts, allowing for finer control and readability.
- Extremely fast jobs: Build times are lightning quick due to SourceHut’s stripped-down architecture.
- Focus on email-based workflows: Great for teams that prefer patch-based development and code reviews via mailing lists.
SourceHut isn’t for everyone. It’s ideal for teams who are more experienced and appreciate minimal distractions. It’s less suitable if you rely on GUI-heavy development environments.
3. Gitea – Lightweight, Self-Hosted Simplicity
Gitea is an open-source Git service modeled after GitHub but tailored for small teams and self-hosting. While Gitea initially focused on code hosting, modern versions have significantly improved their built-in CI/CD support through act_runner.
CI/CD capabilities include:
- Built-in workflows: Similar to GitHub Actions in concept, you can define your own workflows using YAML.
- Self-hosted runners: Easily integrate with your local infrastructure for builds and deployments.
- Modular design: Enables customization with a lightweight footprint.
Gitea is perfect for small teams wanting to manage their development lifecycle privately without giving up CI/CD capabilities. It’s incredibly easy to install and manage, often requiring just a single executable binary.
4. Codeberg – Ethical and Privacy-Focused Development
Codeberg is a community-driven Git hosting service that builds on top of Gitea. It offers all of Gitea’s features, but with a stronger emphasis on ethics, Open Source values, and data privacy.
Its integrated CI/CD solution, Woodpecker CI, offers simple YAML-based pipelines and is tightly integrated into Codeberg’s project system.
Benefits of using Codeberg’s CI/CD include:
- Pre-configured CI: Many projects get up and running with minimal setup.
- Secure architecture: Backed by a European non-profit foundation, data privacy is taken seriously.
- Community support: A helpful, enthusiastic base of developers and maintainers.
If your team values ethical software development and wants built-in CI/CD while supporting a non-corporate alternative, Codeberg is a compelling choice.
5. Forgejo – A Gitea Fork with a Governance Twist
Forgejo (short for “forging joy”) is a community-led fork of Gitea with a keen focus on sustainable and open governance models. It’s nearly identical in functionality to Gitea but puts more power into the hands of its users and contributor community.
Forgejo includes built-in CI/CD powered by act_runner, just like Gitea, and is fully compatible with existing workflows defined in YAML.
Some features that stand out:
- Community ownership: Decisions are made collectively—not dictated solely by core team or owners.
- CI/CD experience on par with Gitea: Supports workflows that are easy to define and automate.
- Great for forks, forks of forks, and niche tooling: Forgejo thrives in the diversity of setups.
Choose Forgejo if you’re looking for Gitea’s strengths with a slightly different philosophy and commitment to long-term open governance.
Wrap-Up: Choosing the Right Platform
Ultimately, your choice depends on your team’s needs and culture. Here’s a quick rundown:
- GitLab: Best for teams needing a powerful, all-in-one platform with advanced features.
- SourceHut: Best for developers comfortable with command-line scripting and minimalism.
- Gitea: Best for lightweight self-hosting with simple YAML-based CI/CD.
- Codeberg: Best for those prioritizing ethics, privacy, and community-driven development.
- Forgejo: Best if you want Gitea’s features and open governance ideals.
Final Thoughts
Small teams don’t need massive infrastructure or multiple tools to ship world-class software. By choosing a Git-hosting platform with integrated CI/CD, your team can move faster with fewer dependencies, more secure workflows, and greater ownership of your development lifecycle.
Whether you’re looking for maximum configurability, ethical hosting, or ease-of-use, one of these five platforms is bound to match your vision. Try a couple out, explore their pipelines, and see which one makes your team the most efficient.