Sustainable Substitutes for GitHub

A platform for version control and collaboration using all its content for AI training.

github logo

Reasons to avoid GitHub

Avoid GitHub due to copyright lawsuits over Copilot reproducing open-source code without proper licensing, privacy risks from exposed repositories and Copilot’s data collection.

GitHub is now fully folded into Microsoft. Its proprietary platform and repeated security incidents further undermine trust. Opt for ethical, open-source and privacy-focused alternatives instead.

Ethical and Sustainable GitHub Alternatives

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  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.

sourcehut

An open-source platform for software development without ads or tracking.

sourcehut has absolutely no tracking.
sourcehut is FOSS and listed in the Free Software Directory.
sourcehut is based in the Netherlands.
sourcehut has a minimalist design, works without JavaScript and has no AI features.
No ads are used to support the platform. All money is generated through a fair pricing model.
sourcehut does not include AI in its services.
Website

GotHub

An open-source, lightweight alternative frontend for GitHub preserving user anonymity.

GotHub saves bandwidth by omiting JavaScript, tracking and AI bloat.
Users can self-host GotHub.
GotHub is free to use, with no mandatory fees or subscriptions.
It prioritises user privacy, avoiding tracking and data collection practices common in mainstream platforms.
GotHub’s codebase is open-source, allowing users to audit, modify, and contribute to its development.
The platform does not include advertisements, providing a clean and uninterrupted user experience.
Website
codeberg logo

Codeberg

An open-source version control and collaboration platform, with privacy and integrity.

Codeberg is fully open-source and its software, Forgejo, is free to use and self-hostable.
Codeberg does not include AI in its platform.
Codeberg does not run ads, financing its operations solely on donations.
Codeberg is free of charge for all users and projects running solely on donations.
Codeberg does not track its users nor does it share data with third parties.
Codeberg is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with GDPR and European privacy laws.
Website

OpenCommit

A Dutch non-profit git hosting platform for open-source projects.

OpenCommit does not include AI in its platform.
OpenCommit does not run ads, financing its operations solely on donations.
OpenCommit is free of charge for all users and projects running solely on donations.
OpenCommit does not track its users nor does it share data with third parties.
Codeberg is based in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with GDPR and European privacy laws.
OpenCommit is fully open-source and the software it's built on, Forgejo, is free to use and self-hostable.
Website

The 5 main issues with GitHub

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

GitHub lacks transparency in its data collection and usage practices of source code hosted on its platform. Copilot has been trained exclusively on this data while ignoring copyleft licenses.Source: Bradley M. Kühn: https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2022/feb/03/github-copilot-copyleft-gpl/ (2022)

Monopoly - Market dominance that stifles competition and limits user choice.

GitHub has an overwhelming market share of source code hosting, enabling them to enforce unfair policies and practices. It has been acquired by Microsoft in 2018 which amplifies concerns.Source: ArsTechnica: GitHub will be folded into Microsoft proper as CEO steps down (2025)

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

To this date it's unclear whether private repositiories of individuals are used for AI training. Also, Microsoft is likely to be able to link your GitHub activity to your Microsoft account.Sources: GitHub Community Disccusion: Does Microsoft/GitHub include individual's private repos as training data for Copilot? (2025-2026)

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Microsoft is financing Donald Trumps plans to create a new ballroom in the white house, hoping to benefit from upcoming laws. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella donated $1 Million to Trumps inauguration fund.Sources: OpenSecrets: Trump ballroom donors poised to benefit from AI plan they helped shape (2026)The Verge: Tech’s shift to Trump: all the companies and execs kissing the ring (2025)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Microsoft is known for using aggressive tax avoidance schemes and has been fined for it. Source: The Guardian: This article is more than 11 years old US tech giants launch fierce fightback against global tax avoidance crackdown (2015)

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email