Automated tests belong in version control, right alongside the application code. The two most popular homes for that code are GitLab and GitHub. A common question is "which should we use?" — and the honest answer is that both are excellent.
Both are great choices
GitLab and GitHub are mature, widely trusted platforms built on Git. Both give you reliable version control, code review via merge/pull requests, issue tracking, and strong CI/CD integration. You will not go wrong with either.
GitHub
- The largest developer community and ecosystem.
- Excellent for open source and collaboration.
- GitHub Actions for integrated CI/CD.
- Huge marketplace of integrations.
GitLab
- A complete, integrated DevOps platform.
- Powerful built-in CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong self-hosting options for control.
- Great for end-to-end lifecycle management.
Our take: both GitLab and GitHub are first-rate. Choose based on what your organisation already uses, your CI/CD preference, and whether you want self-hosting (a GitLab strength). The important thing is that your test code lives in Git — not which of these two you pick.
Conclusion
GitLab and GitHub are both excellent Git platforms, and either is a safe, future-proof home for your automation code. Pick the one that fits your workflow — and focus your energy on good tests and pipelines rather than the logo on your repository.