Gitea vs Bitbucket
Self-host swap-in for Bitbucket. · Self-host Bitbucket · Gitea on os-alt
Gitea is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Bitbucket — license MIT, 10min (single Go binary or docker-compose) to stand up, and $5 vps handles dozens of repos comfortably. Compare against Bitbucket's $3/user/mo Standard; $6/user/mo Premium below.
| Giteaopen-source | Bitbucketpaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Git hosting + Pipelines | Git hosting + Pipelines |
| License / pricing | MIT | $3/user/mo Standard; $6/user/mo Premium |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $3/user/mo |
| GitHub | go-gitea/gitea | closed source |
| Setup time | 10min (single Go binary or docker-compose) | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $5 VPS handles dozens of repos comfortably. | from $3/user/mo ($3/user/mo Standard; $6/user/mo Premium) |
Switching from Bitbucket to Gitea
Site Administration → Migrations → New Migration → choose Git/Generic, give Bitbucket repo URL + app password. Issues require a CSV export from Bitbucket (Repository settings → Export issues) and a manual import via the Gitea API. Pipelines do not port — re-author as Gitea Actions (GitHub Actions YAML).
- Good fit for
- Small teams escaping Bitbucket Cloud after the Server EOL with a low-footprint replacement.
- Weak at
- No first-class Jira link; you'd run a separate issue tracker if you keep Jira on the side.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Bitbucket
Gitea also replaces
- GitHub Issues— Issue tracking (for code repos)
- GitLab— DevOps platform / git hosting + CI
In a terminal? npx os-alt bitbucket prints Bitbucket's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Gitea a free alternative to Bitbucket?
Yes — Gitea is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $5 VPS handles dozens of repos comfortably.. Bitbucket starts at $3/user/mo ($3/user/mo Standard; $6/user/mo Premium).
How long does Gitea take to set up vs Bitbucket?
Self-hosting Gitea: 10min (single Go binary or docker-compose). Bitbucket is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Gitea good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Small teams escaping Bitbucket Cloud after the Server EOL with a low-footprint replacement.. Weak at: No first-class Jira link; you'd run a separate issue tracker if you keep Jira on the side..