About GitLab
GitLab is a software development platform that combines source code hosting, merge requests, CI/CD pipelines and security checks in one place. Teams use it to plan work, review changes and ship software from a single system.
What it does
GitLab keeps code, issues, merge requests and build pipelines in the same project. Changes are proposed as merge requests, reviewed by teammates, and tested in pipelines before they reach the main branch. Security scans and approval rules run inside the pipeline, so findings appear next to the change they belong to. The platform also keeps an audit trail of who changed what and who approved it.
Key features
- Source code hosting with merge requests
- CI/CD pipelines built into each project
- Security scanning and policy rules in the pipeline
- Audit trail for changes and approvals
- Planning tools for issues and releases
Who it's for
GitLab is aimed at engineering and DevOps teams that want one platform for planning and delivery. Larger organizations often choose it when they need approval rules, compliance records and control over how code moves to production.
Pricing and good to know
GitLab offers a free plan and a free trial, and paid plans are available for teams that need more. The site describes seat-based licenses alongside usage-based credits. Some features and limits depend on the plan, so check the pricing page before you choose a tier.
Highlights
- Host source code and review it in merge requests
- Run build and test pipelines for each project
- Scan for security issues inside the pipeline
- Require approvals before changes are merged
- Keep an audit trail of changes and approvals
