Modern development depends on strong version control and seamless DevOps practices. GitLab has become one of the most popular platforms for managing source code, automating CI/CD pipelines, and coordinating project tasks. Many teams use GitLab.com, the hosted version provided by GitLab Inc. However, there are compelling reasons to run GitLab on your own servers. Self-hosting allows you to control your data, customize the environment to your needs, and integrate it closely with internal systems. This guide explores everything you need to know to self-host GitLab, from setup to best practices.
What Is GitLab?
GitLab is more than a Git repository manager. It provides a complete DevOps platform that combines code management, automated testing, deployment pipelines, issue tracking, and monitoring. Developers can write code, push it to GitLab, and have automated jobs build, test, and deploy their projects. This creates a unified environment for development and operations teams.
When comparing GitLab.com and self-hosted GitLab, the difference lies in who manages the infrastructure. GitLab.com is a SaaS platform where everything is managed for you. A self-hosted installation requires you to maintain the servers, storage, and upgrades, but it also provides much greater control.
Why Self-Host GitLab?
There are several reasons why organizations choose to self-host GitLab instead of using the SaaS version.
- Data control: You retain ownership of your repositories and sensitive information. This is critical for businesses working under strict compliance frameworks or dealing with proprietary code.
- Customization: Self-hosting allows you to configure GitLab in ways not possible on the hosted version. You can add integrations, use private runners, and modify system behavior.
- Security and compliance: Many industries require specific security policies or internal authentication systems. Hosting GitLab internally allows you to meet these requirements.
- Cost efficiency: At scale, self-hosting can become more cost effective than paying for multiple SaaS accounts, especially if your organization already has capable infrastructure.
Requirements for Hosting GitLab
Running GitLab is resource-intensive compared to lightweight Git hosting solutions. Planning the environment carefully ensures performance and stability.
Hardware
GitLab can technically run on 4 GB RAM, but for small to medium teams it is best to start with 4 CPU cores and at least 8 GB of RAM for smoother performance. Large installations or CI-heavy workloads may need 16 GB RAM or more. Always use SSD or NVMe storage for faster performance.
Operating system
GitLab officially supports Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, and RHEL-based systems. Ubuntu LTS is the most common choice due to wide community support.
Network
You need reliable bandwidth and preferably a dedicated IP address. SSL certificates are essential for security, whether from Let’s Encrypt or a commercial provider.
Dependencies
PostgreSQL and Redis are core requirements. These are included with GitLab Omnibus but must be configured separately if using other installation methods. Because GitLab self-hosting relies on multiple services, making sure all dependencies are properly tuned is essential for stability.
Installation Methods
There are three main ways to install GitLab.
- Omnibus package: This is the simplest approach. It bundles all necessary components into a single package, making installation quick and straightforward. It is well suited for most small to medium deployments.
- Docker deployment: Running GitLab inside containers provides isolation and portability. You can quickly spin up instances, manage upgrades, and integrate with other containerized services. This option is ideal for organizations already using Docker.
- Kubernetes and Helm charts: For large organizations or enterprises, deploying GitLab in Kubernetes offers scalability and high availability. Helm charts allow for easy management of resources, making it the best option for cloud-native setups.
Each method has advantages. Omnibus is easy, Docker provides flexibility, and Kubernetes supports enterprise-grade scaling.
Initial Configuration
Once you self-host GitLab, the next step is to configure it properly so that it is secure, accessible, and ready for collaboration. The initial setup ensures stability and provides the foundation for smooth daily use.
Administrator setup
Create the administrator account and protect it with a strong password. This account controls global settings, so it should be used sparingly and ideally secured with multi-factor authentication.
Domain and SSL
Assign a domain name to your GitLab instance to make it easily accessible. Secure it with SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt or a commercial provider. Proper encryption ensures privacy for your team’s code and communication.
Email configuration
Configure SMTP settings so GitLab can send notifications about commits, merge requests, and pipeline activity. Email alerts are essential for keeping developers informed.
Project organization
Set up groups and repositories from the start. Clear organization helps avoid confusion later as more teams and projects are added.
Integrations and Features
GitLab’s real power lies in its integrations and built-in features that go beyond simple code hosting. These tools help streamline workflows and allow development and operations teams to work more efficiently.
CI/CD pipelines
GitLab’s pipelines are defined in .gitlab-ci.yml and can automate testing, building, and deployment. Teams can create multi-stage workflows that ensure only high-quality code reaches production.
External integrations
GitLab integrates with communication and project management tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Jira. This ensures that updates flow seamlessly across platforms without extra manual effort.
Authentication
GitLab supports enterprise authentication methods like LDAP, SAML, and OAuth. Integrating with your company’s identity provider simplifies account management and enforces consistent security policies. These authentication methods are especially valuable in GitLab self-hosting environments where centralized user management is critical.
Maintenance and Administration
Maintaining a self-hosted GitLab server requires ongoing effort.
- Updates: Apply updates regularly to stay secure and benefit from new features. With Omnibus, updates are simplified, but always perform a backup before applying changes since major version upgrades may introduce breaking changes.
- Backups: Schedule regular backups of the database and repositories. Store them in a secure, offsite location.
- Monitoring: Use Prometheus and Grafana, both supported by GitLab, to monitor performance and detect issues early.
- Scaling: As usage grows, you may need to add GitLab Runners, scale the database, or deploy multiple nodes for redundancy.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Self-hosting GitLab often comes with issues that must be addressed.
- High resource usage: Optimize by assigning adequate resources and offloading CI/CD jobs to external runners.
- SSL and HTTPS problems: Misconfigured certificates are common. Using Let’s Encrypt with automated renewal helps avoid downtime.
- CI Runner issues: Ensure runners are properly registered, tagged, and configured with the right executors (Docker, shell, or Kubernetes).
- Upgrade failures: Always test upgrades in a staging environment when possible. Keeping backups ensures you can roll back if needed.
Best Practices for Self-Hosted GitLab
To get the most out of a self-hosted GitLab environment, it is important to follow best practices that ensure reliability, security, and ease of management. These practices reduce risk and make administration easier over time.
Role-based access control
Use GitLab’s built-in roles and permissions to control who can access specific projects and branches. Protect important branches like main or production to prevent accidental changes.
Automated backups
Configure nightly backups of repositories, databases, and configuration files. Store these backups in secure offsite storage and regularly test restores to confirm they work correctly.
Monitoring and alerts
Use Prometheus and Grafana to visualize performance data. Configure alerts so administrators are notified when resources run low or pipelines fail unexpectedly.
Disaster recovery plan
Document recovery steps and responsibilities. In the event of an outage, having a clear plan ensures minimal downtime and avoids confusion.
Alternatives to Self-Hosting GitLab
While GitLab is powerful, some organizations may prefer alternatives depending on their needs and infrastructure. Exploring these options helps teams make an informed decision.
- GitHub Enterprise Server: This on-premises version of GitHub provides a familiar environment for teams already invested in the GitHub ecosystem. It offers strong integrations with developer tools and a well-known interface.
- Bitbucket Data Center: Bitbucket integrates seamlessly with Atlassian products such as Jira and Confluence, making it ideal for organizations already using those platforms. It provides flexible scaling and enterprise-grade support.
- Gitea and Gogs: These lightweight Git hosting platforms are easy to install and require far fewer resources than GitLab. They are suitable for small teams, educational use, or organizations that want Git hosting without heavy additional features.
Conclusion
Self-hosting GitLab provides unmatched control, flexibility, and security compared to the SaaS version. It requires proper planning, hardware resources, and ongoing administration, but for many organizations the benefits outweigh the challenges. If your team needs customization, compliance, or cost efficiency at scale, self-hosting GitLab can be the right decision.
Host GitLab with Confidence on VPS.us
If you are ready to set up a self-hosted GitLab instance, choosing the right infrastructure is the key to success. At VPS.us we provide KVM-based VPS hosting with enterprise-grade hardware, reliable SSD storage, and excellent network connectivity. Our KVM2-US plan with 2 vCPU cores, 2 GB RAM, and 25 GB SSD storage is a perfect starting point for GitLab hosting. With our support and robust infrastructure, you can deploy GitLab with confidence and focus on development while we ensure stability and performance.
