[graphememes]

I think Gitlab is awesome. However, their current homepage hides their actual site (the repositories) and makes it hard as a developer to actually get started compared to Github.

Looking through (browsing repositories) there is almost NO adoption to gitlab.

[allover]

Well it seems like a very different model to Github.

I don't know the figures, but the teams I encounter using Gitlab are self-hosting, you aren't going to be able to browse their (private) repos.

[sytse]

GitLab is indeed used much more for private repositories than for open source. These are both on self-managed instances and GitLab.com

We used to have a Explore link on our homepage to https://gitlab.com/explore because HN asked for it but it got dropped.

I've asked to reinstate it in https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com/issues/3713

[graphememes]

Depends on what we are comparing.

Gitlab Cloud v Github Cloud. Github cloud is easier to grok, and get started versus gitlab, adoption on github is very visible, and immediate from first landing.

Gitlab On Premise v Github Enterprise. Gitlab wins in offering (open source, and complete ci/cd). However, I would argue that the marketing is much stronger with Github. Github has a streamlined message which you can consume easily and then once you're in you get deeper into the meaning of.

This is what I am referring to. Model or not, it's something that is a barrier to entry.

[emilycook]

(GitLab employee) What would you say GitHub does that makes it easier to get started on/adopt? I don't disagree, barriers to entry are just subjective so I'd like to hear your take

[graphememes]

Homepage Messaging:

Github:

1. Straight to the point. For developers. Host code, work alongside millions of developers or your team. 2. Registration form right next to message. Immediate start. No need to think about much else. Let's get started. 3. Let me check their features (just in case) keep scrolling 4. Oh wow okay, woah another register form right here easy.

Gitlab:

1. Message makes me think. "A full DevOps tool~chain~.*" Why the asterisk? I'm already distracted. 2. Okay, I can manage projects, sourcecode management, CI/CD, great. 3. Get started for free... 4. Immediately see "try x for y days"... thinking "so is this paid?" 5. Look down and see I don't need to do that.

I have to do more thought now, why not just let me register from the homepage and auto-subscribe me to the gold plan and let me know that, you don't require a credit card either way.

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This is purely from the Cloud perspective, but there is much more thinking required for Gitlab than Github.

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Mind dump of subjectivity:

For hosted / feature-set, the way github illustrates their feature offering is much better than the table on the gitlab homepage as well. It's more about how much time do I have to vet a product. For someone who is purchasing enterprise they are more likely to invest more time, but overhead or information overload or time to trial is a real thing and can be quantified.

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As a note, I like gitlab, the product is great, the marketing could use some work is all. Everyone there does a great job.

[emilycook]

Thank you! That was really helpful. Sometimes you just get so familiar with something that you lose focus on what it's like to view it for the first time, I'll pass along your feedback

[sytse]

Thanks for the feedback! I love the point about getting out of the way and starting on a gold plan. I'll discuss with our CMO.