GitHub alternatives: Git hosting for indie devs on a budget

The short answer

**Gitea** is the best GitHub alternative for indie devs who want self-hosted Git — lightweight, easy to deploy on a $5 VPS, and includes CI/CD, package registry, and project management. **Codeberg** is best if you want a free hosted option without Microsoft involvement.

Why leave GitHub?

GitHub is owned by Microsoft, has opaque AI training policies, and the free tier has limits on private repo collaborators and Actions minutes. For indie developers who want full control or better free tiers, alternatives exist.

Comparison

When to choose each

**Gitea** — Best self-hosted option. Lightweight (runs on 1GB RAM), easy setup, includes everything most devs need.

**GitLab** — Best if you want the most feature-rich free tier. Includes CI/CD, registry, and more.

**Codeberg** — Best hosted alternative. Free, privacy-focused, non-profit.

**SourceHut** — Best minimal, email-driven workflow. Fast, no JavaScript, subscription model.

The verdict

For most indie devs, **Gitea** self-hosted on a $5/mo VPS is the best GitHub alternative. **Codeberg** is the best free hosted option if you don't want to self-host.

About the author

Syed Muhammad Akbar Gillani is a full-stack developer and the founder of CheapStack and Mag Studios. He builds affordable developer tools and writes about bootstrapping products on realistic budgets. All pricing data in this guide was verified from public pricing pages and personal usage in July 2026.