Git vs GitHub vs GitLab vs Bitbucket: What Is the Difference? (Part 2)

Git is a free version control tool that runs on your own computer and records your project's history. GitHub is a Microsoft-owned website where you store Git projects online and work on them with others. GitLab and Bitbucket are rival websites doing a similar job. In short: Git is the tool; GitHub, GitLab and Bitbucket are places to keep and share its work.

After reading Part 1, Sneha messaged her friend Arjun, who works at a software company in Hyderabad: "So I should download GitHub?" Arjun laughed kindly. "That is the question everyone asks. Git and GitHub are not the same thing. Let me draw it for you." This Part 2 is that drawing. We answer the questions beginners ask most: "What is GitHub?", "How many types of GitHub are there?" and "What is the difference between all these Git websites?"

What is the difference between Git and GitHub?

Git is software and GitHub is a service. Git lives on your computer and works even without the internet. GitHub lives on the internet and gives your Git project an online home, a web page, a backup and tools for teamwork.

How do Git and GitHub work together?

You do your work and take snapshots with Git on your laptop, then send ("push") those snapshots to GitHub. Teammates download ("pull") them from GitHub to their own laptops. GitHub becomes the shared meeting point.

One detail surprises many people: when you push, GitHub does not replace your laptop's copy. Both have the full history. If GitHub went down for a day, Sneha could keep working and push later. If her laptop were stolen, she could download everything again from GitHub.

Also readWhat Is Version Control? Git and GitHub for Beginners (Part 1)→

What is GitHub, and why is it so popular?

GitHub is the world's largest home for code. It launched in 2008, and Microsoft completed its $7.5 billion acquisition of GitHub on 26 October 2018. Open source projects and private company code both live there.

For an Indian beginner, that India figure is worth pausing on. GitHub reports that India added more new developers in 2025 than any other country. The people you will collaborate with, learn from and compete with for jobs are already there. A GitHub profile has become something recruiters look at, much like a LinkedIn profile.

How many types of GitHub are there?

There is only one GitHub, but it comes in different plans and can be used through different apps. This is where the "types of GitHub" confusion usually comes from.

As a beginner, you need just two things: a GitHub Free account and, if you prefer clicking to typing, the free GitHub Desktop app. We set both up in Parts 5 and 6.

What are GitLab and Bitbucket?

GitLab and Bitbucket are other websites that host Git projects, just like GitHub. Because they all use Git underneath, a project can move from one to another, and what you learn on GitHub works on all of them.

• GitLab began as an open source project in 2011. It is known for strong built-in automation ("CI/CD") and for letting companies install it on their own servers, which banks and government bodies sometimes need.
• Bitbucket was founded in 2008 and acquired by Atlassian in September 2010, adding Git support in 2011. Atlassian also makes Jira and Confluence, so Bitbucket suits teams that already plan their work in Jira.

Which one should a beginner choose?

Start with GitHub unless your college, company or client already uses something else. It has the biggest community, the most tutorials, free website hosting with GitHub Pages and the best visibility with recruiters. Learning GitLab or Bitbucket later takes an afternoon, because the Git underneath is identical.

Can I use Git without GitHub?

Yes. Git works perfectly on its own, entirely on your computer. You still get commits, history, diffs and the ability to undo. What you miss is the online backup, the project web page and teamwork features. Sneha decided to start with Git alone on her laptop and add GitHub a few days later.

Her View

New learners often feel embarrassed for mixing up Git and GitHub, as if everyone else was born knowing. They were not. The names are confusing because GitHub chose a name built on Git. Once you see that one is a tool and the other is a place, the fog clears. Be gentle with yourself: asking "what is the difference?" is exactly how every developer started, including Sneha.

Also readWhy Every Web Builder Needs Git, Even If You Work Alone (Part 3)→

His Insight

Do not get stuck choosing a platform. The valuable skill is Git itself: commits, branches, merges and pushes. These work the same on GitHub, GitLab and Bitbucket, and moving a project between them is routine. Pick GitHub for its community and free hosting, learn Git deeply, and adapt to whatever platform your next team uses.

H View Verdict

Git is the engine; GitHub, GitLab and Bitbucket are garages where you park and share what the engine builds. For beginners in India building websites and apps, GitHub is the natural first garage. In Part 3 we look at why every web builder, even a solo freelancer, should be using Git from day one.

Self-assessment: test yourself

Ready? Tap an option for each question. You will see right away whether you got it, with a short explanation, and your score at the end. Take your time, and try again as often as you like.

Frequently asked questions

Is GitHub free to use?

Yes. GitHub has a free plan that lets you create public and private repositories. Paid plans add features for professionals and companies; see GitHub's pricing page for current details.

Is Git the same as GitHub?

No. Git is a version control tool on your computer. GitHub is a website that hosts Git projects online and adds collaboration features.

Should I learn GitHub or GitLab first?

Most beginners should start with GitHub because of its large community and free hosting. If your employer uses GitLab, learn that instead; the Git commands are the same.

Do I need to know coding to use GitHub?

No deep coding is needed. If you can create website files, you can use GitHub, and GitHub Desktop lets you do it with buttons instead of commands.