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Forgejo vs GitHub Issues

Self-host swap-in for GitHub Issues. · Self-host GitHub Issues · Forgejo on os-alt

Forgejo is one of the open-source self-host replacements for GitHub Issues — license MIT (with copyleft for some modules), 10min (Gitea-compatible images) to stand up, and $5 vps. Compare against GitHub Issues's Free for public repos; $4/user/mo for private (Team) below.

Forgejoopen-sourceGitHub Issuespaid SaaS
CategoryIssue tracking (for code repos)Issue tracking (for code repos)
License / pricingMIT (with copyleft for some modules)Free for public repos; $4/user/mo for private (Team)
Starting price$0 self-host$4/user/mo
GitHubforgejo/forgejo ★ — · last commit unknownunknownclosed source
Setup time10min (Gitea-compatible images)SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost$5 VPS.from $4/user/mo (Free for public repos; $4/user/mo for private (Team))

Switching from GitHub Issues to Forgejo

Identical to Gitea — Forgejo is a community-governed soft fork. Use the same Migration UI with a GitHub PAT.

Good fit for
Teams that prefer a community-led governance model over Gitea's company-led one.
Weak at
Same gaps as Gitea (smaller integration ecosystem).

Other open-source self-host alternatives to GitHub Issues

  • MIT10min (single Go binary or docker-compose)$5 VPS easily — very low footprint.
  • MIT30-60min (Omnibus package or docker)$20+ VPS — wants 8GB RAM minimum, hungry stack.

Forgejo also replaces

  • Bitbucket— Git hosting + Pipelines
  • GitLab— DevOps platform / git hosting + CI

In a terminal? npx os-alt github-issues prints GitHub Issues's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Forgejo a free alternative to GitHub Issues?

Yes — Forgejo is open source under MIT (with copyleft for some modules). Self-host cost: $5 VPS.. GitHub Issues starts at $4/user/mo (Free for public repos; $4/user/mo for private (Team)).

How long does Forgejo take to set up vs GitHub Issues?

Self-hosting Forgejo: 10min (Gitea-compatible images). GitHub Issues is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Forgejo good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Teams that prefer a community-led governance model over Gitea's company-led one.. Weak at: Same gaps as Gitea (smaller integration ecosystem)..