Comparing GitLab vs. GitHub for Enterprise DevSecOps

If you're reading this, chances are you're weighing GitLab vs. GitHub to figure out which platform truly supports your DevSecOps journey. And let’s be honest — choosing the wrong platform doesn’t just slow you down. It can cost you trust, security, and your developers’ sanity. 

GitLab and GitHub are both powerful, but when it comes to enterprise DevSecOps needs, the devil’s in the (security and scalability) details.

At VivaOps, we’ve had more “GitLab vs GitHub” conversations than we can count, with engineering leads, security pros, and DevOps folks trying to make the right call for their teams.

Let’s break it down.

GitLab vs GitHub: A Quick Gut Check

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a little food for thought:

• GitHub has 100M+ developers on the platform. That’s huge. It’s the social network of code.

• GitLab, though, is winning hearts in the DevSecOps space because of its all-in-one model. One tool. One UI. One DevSecOps platform to rule them all.

  
  

Here’s how they compare when it comes to Enterprise DevSecOps tools.

Why DevSecOps Even Matters 

DevSecOps means baking security into every step of your software delivery pipeline — from commit to deploy. According to GitLab’s 2023 Global DevSecOps Report, 71% of DevOps teams say security is now a shared responsibility. That’s massive.

For enterprises, this means you’re not just looking for version control or CI/CD pipelines — you need a platform that can enforce governance, enable shift-left security, and reduce complexity. That’s where the right tooling makes all the difference.

GitLab vs GitHub for Enterprise DevSecOps

Let’s keep it real: both platforms are excellent. But they come at DevSecOps from different angles.

GitLab:

• Everything under one roof — source control, CI/CD, SAST, DAST, container scanning, compliance frameworks, you name it.

• Built-in security tools run as part of the pipeline with zero context switching.Auto DevOps for smarter automation.

  
  

GitHub:

• Developer-friendly and incredibly familiar.

• GitHub Actions + integrations like CodeQL and Dependabot can get you pretty far.

• GitHub Advanced Security unlocks more… but at a price.

For enterprises, the difference often comes down to consolidation. GitLab minimizes the toolchain. GitHub asks you to stitch a few things together.

“When you unify your DevSecOps platform, you don’t just save time — you gain trust in every line of code.” — GitLab CEO Sid Sijbrandij

Quick Read - Why DevSecOps Teams Choose GitLab

Security Features: GitLab vs GitHub

In the battle of GitLab vs GitHub security features, GitLab’s got a full deck built in:

• SAST, DAST, secret detection, license compliance, and more — natively available.

• Security dashboards for complete visibility.

• Easy compliance tracking and auditing.

GitHub isn’t far behind, especially with CodeQL and Dependabot. But to match GitLab’s built-in security tool coverage, you’ll need some configuration and possibly third-party tools.

For a deeper dive into GitHub’s security capabilities, check out GitHub’s Advanced Security documentation.

GitLab CI/CD: The Automation Superpower

This is where GitLab shines. GitLab CI/CD isn’t just good — it’s enterprise-grade. Think reusable templates, built-in runners, container registry, and full visibility from commit to deploy. More details can be found in GitLab’s CI/CD docs.

GitHub Actions is great for modular workflows and community-driven actions, but it still feels like a build-your-own DevOps setup compared to GitLab’s everything-in-one approach.

Best DevSecOps Platform for Enterprises?

We’ll give you the VivaOps answer: it depends. But here’s the reality:

• If you want an all-in-one platform that bakes security into every commit and gives your teams a single place to collaborate and innovate, GitLab is the move.

• If your teams are already GitHub-native and comfortable building their workflows, GitHub can work well, especially with GitHub Advanced Security.

  
  

Final Thoughts

We believe DevSecOps isn’t a checkbox — it’s a culture. Whether you choose GitLab or GitHub, what matters is how the platform supports your mission to ship secure software fast.

We’re always happy to talk shop, answer questions, or walk through your current setup. Because at the end of the day, we care about helping you build better.

Let’s secure things together.