GitLab Pages is a free static website hosting feature built into GitLab. It is designed for people who already keep their project files in GitLab and want a simple way to publish a website from a repository.

It works well for developer portfolios, project documentation, open-source project pages, student frontend projects, simple HTML/CSS/JavaScript websites, and static sites generated by tools such as Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Hexo, Middleman, and similar static site generators. GitLab’s documentation describes GitLab Pages as a way to publish static websites directly from a GitLab repository, with deployment handled through GitLab CI/CD pipelines.

GitLab Pages is not traditional web hosting. It does not run PHP, MySQL, WordPress, server-side scripts, or classic shared-hosting applications. GitLab clearly states that dynamic server-side processing such as .php and .asp is not supported.

That makes GitLab Pages very useful for the right kind of project, but not suitable for every website. If your site is static, repository-based, and connected to your GitLab workflow, it can be a clean free hosting option. If your site needs a backend, database, ecommerce system, or WordPress, you should choose another hosting type.

Link to the official GitLab Pages website

Quick summary

Item	Details
Provider	GitLab Pages
Hosting type	Static website hosting
Best for	Documentation, project pages, developer portfolios, student frontend projects, static websites
Free plan	Available on GitLab Free, Premium, and Ultimate tiers
Deployment method	GitLab CI/CD pipelines
Static site generators	Supports tools such as Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Hexo, and others
Plain static files	HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Wasm supported
Custom domains	Supported
HTTPS / SSL	Default GitLab Pages domains on GitLab.com are available under HTTPS
Custom-domain SSL	Supported, with certificate setup required
Access control	Available through GitLab Pages access control when enabled
PHP/MySQL	Not supported
WordPress	Not supported as normal WordPress hosting
Best use	Repository-based static websites and documentation
Not ideal for	PHP apps, MySQL projects, standard WordPress, ecommerce, full backend applications

GitLab Pages is available across GitLab Free, Premium, and Ultimate tiers, and GitLab says Pages sites can connect with custom domains and SSL/TLS certificates.

Best for

GitLab Pages is best for users who already work with GitLab and want their website to be part of the same repository-based workflow.

It is a good fit for:

Developer portfolios
Project documentation
Open-source project pages
Student frontend projects
Technical writing
Static blogs
Software documentation
HTML/CSS/JavaScript practice
Static site generator projects
Internal documentation when access control is needed
Teams already using GitLab CI/CD

The strongest use case is documentation. If your code already lives in GitLab, hosting the documentation from the same repository can make maintenance easier. The website becomes part of the project instead of something managed separately.

GitLab Pages is also useful for students and developers who want to learn how a static site is built and deployed through CI/CD instead of manually uploading files.

Not ideal for

GitLab Pages is not the right choice for every website.

You may want another hosting type if your project needs:

PHP
MySQL or MariaDB
Standard self-hosted WordPress
cPanel-style hosting
Server-side forms
Login systems with backend processing
Ecommerce checkout
Payment processing
File uploads from visitors
Long-running backend services
A visual drag-and-drop website builder
Traditional hosting support for dynamic apps

GitLab Pages is static hosting. It can publish files, but it does not run dynamic server-side code. GitLab’s documentation specifically says dynamic server-side processing such as .php and .asp is not supported.

If your project is a static frontend or documentation site, GitLab Pages may fit well. If your project needs a server and database, it will not be enough by itself.

Free plan overview

GitLab Pages is included in GitLab and can publish static websites from GitLab repositories. GitLab’s documentation lists Pages under Free, Premium, and Ultimate tiers, and says it works with GitLab.com, GitLab Self-Managed, and GitLab Dedicated offerings.

The usual workflow is:

Create a GitLab repository
Add website files or static site source files
Configure a GitLab CI/CD pipeline
Build and publish the site with GitLab Pages
Serve the site through a GitLab Pages URL or custom domain

GitLab Pages supports plain HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Wasm, and it also supports static site generators such as Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Middleman, Harp, Hexo, and Brunch.

For GitLab.com, Pages websites can be served under the default *.gitlab.io Pages domain. GitLab also supports custom domains and SSL/TLS certificates for Pages sites.

This makes the free use case quite strong for static websites, especially when the website belongs naturally inside a GitLab project.

Key features

1. Static website publishing from a GitLab repository

GitLab Pages publishes static websites directly from repositories. This is its main strength. Your site files, documentation, source content, and deployment configuration can all live together in GitLab.

That is useful for developers and teams because the website becomes part of the project workflow.

You can manage the site through commits, branches, merge requests, and CI/CD pipelines instead of manually uploading files through FTP.

For technical users, this is a clean and organized way to maintain a website.

2. GitLab CI/CD deployment

GitLab Pages uses GitLab CI/CD pipelines to deploy websites.

This gives users more control than a simple file-upload host. You can define how the site is built, which branch deploys, and how static files are prepared before publishing.

This is useful for:

static site generators
documentation builds
frontend project builds
automated publishing
team review workflows
repeatable deployments

For beginners, CI/CD may feel technical at first. But it is also valuable to learn, especially for students and developers who want real deployment experience.

3. Works with many static site generators

GitLab Pages supports many static site generators and plain static websites. GitLab’s documentation mentions tools such as Gatsby, Jekyll, Hugo, Middleman, Harp, Hexo, and Brunch, along with plain HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Wasm.

This makes GitLab Pages flexible for different static website styles.

You can build:

project documentation
technical blogs
portfolio websites
public manuals
static landing pages
open-source project pages
frontend demos

As long as the final output is static files, GitLab Pages can be a good match.

4. Custom domain support

GitLab Pages supports custom domains. GitLab’s custom domain documentation explains that users can add a custom root domain or subdomain and set up SSL/TLS certification.

This is important if you want your site to look more professional.

For example, a project page can use:

docs.yourproject.com

instead of only using a default GitLab Pages URL.

Custom domain setup requires DNS access and proper verification. For beginners, this may take some patience, but it is a normal part of making a site more professional.

5. HTTPS support

GitLab says every GitLab Pages project on GitLab.com is available under HTTPS for the default Pages domain. For custom domains, GitLab explains that users must issue and install a certificate for the custom domain if they want it secured by HTTPS.

This distinction is important.

The default GitLab Pages domain is straightforward. Custom domains need more setup.

For public websites, HTTPS is highly recommended. Even static sites should use HTTPS because visitors and browsers expect secure connections.

6. Access control for restricted sites

GitLab Pages has an access control feature that can restrict access to authenticated project members when enabled. GitLab’s documentation says Pages access control can be enabled if the administrator has enabled the feature on the GitLab instance, and that authenticated project members with at least Guest access can view the site by default.

This can be useful for:

internal documentation
private project notes
team-only pages
restricted previews
private knowledge bases

This is a useful difference from many simple static hosting tools. Not every static host provides built-in access control connected to project membership.

7. Useful Pages settings

GitLab Pages includes settings for static-site presentation and routing. GitLab’s Pages settings documentation mentions custom 403 and 404 pages, redirects through _redirects files, deploying from any branch using CI/CD rules, serving pre-compressed assets, customizing the published folder, and generating unique domains for sites.

These are practical features for real static websites.

A documentation site, for example, may need custom error pages, redirects after restructuring, and a clear build output folder.

For developers, these settings can make GitLab Pages more flexible than a very basic static host.

Important limitations to know

1. No dynamic server-side processing

This is the most important limitation.

GitLab Pages does not support dynamic server-side processing such as PHP or ASP.

That means GitLab Pages is not suitable for:

PHP projects
WordPress hosting
MySQL applications
Laravel apps
backend APIs
server-rendered apps that require a running server
classic dynamic websites

You can still build a frontend that talks to external APIs, but the backend must live somewhere else.

2. CI/CD setup can feel technical

GitLab Pages is not a drag-and-drop website builder.

To use it properly, you usually need to understand:

Git repositories
branches
commits
GitLab CI/CD
.gitlab-ci.yml
build outputs
static site generation
deployment logs

For developers, this is normal. For complete beginners, it may feel confusing at first.

If someone only wants to publish a simple page visually, Google Sites, Wix, or another website builder may be easier.

3. Custom-domain HTTPS needs setup

GitLab.com default Pages domains are available under HTTPS, but custom domains require certificate setup for HTTPS. GitLab’s SSL/TLS documentation explains that after setting up a custom domain, users must issue and install a certificate for that domain if they want it secured by HTTPS.

This is manageable, but beginners should not ignore it.

A custom domain without HTTPS may feel less trustworthy to visitors. If you connect your own domain, make sure HTTPS is properly configured.

4. Not a normal business hosting platform

GitLab Pages can host static business pages, but it is not traditional business hosting.

It does not provide common hosting features such as:

email hosting
PHP
MySQL
cPanel
one-click WordPress
ecommerce tools
visual page builder
backend app hosting

It can be good for a static company documentation site, developer project page, or technical landing page. It is not the right platform for a full business website system with forms, customer accounts, payments, and CMS workflows unless those functions are handled elsewhere.

5. Repository and project structure matter

Because GitLab Pages is repository-based, mistakes in file paths, build commands, published folders, or CI/CD configuration can stop the site from deploying correctly.

This is not a weakness for technical users. It is simply part of the workflow.

For beginners, the first deployment may take more effort than expected.

6. Access control depends on configuration

GitLab Pages access control is useful, but it depends on the administrator enabling the feature on the GitLab instance.

For GitLab.com users, this may be straightforward. For self-managed GitLab, administrators must configure Pages correctly.

If private access is an important requirement, confirm the setup before relying on it.

Who should use GitLab Pages?

Developers already using GitLab

GitLab Pages is a natural fit if your code, documentation, or project files already live in GitLab.

You can keep website publishing inside the same workflow instead of using a separate hosting system.

Technical writers and documentation teams

Documentation is one of the best use cases for GitLab Pages.

It works well for:

project documentation
open-source manuals
API guides
internal technical notes
release documentation
static knowledge bases

Static documentation sites fit GitLab Pages very well because they can be version-controlled and deployed through CI/CD.

Students learning Git and CI/CD

GitLab Pages is useful for students who want to learn more than just website publishing.

It can teach:

Git
repositories
static site structure
CI/CD basics
deployment pipelines
custom domains
static site generators

This is valuable learning for students who want technical web development skills.

Open-source project maintainers

Open-source projects often need public documentation or a project homepage.

GitLab Pages can host these pages directly from the project repository, which keeps the website close to the code.

Teams needing restricted static sites

Because GitLab Pages can support access control, it may be useful for teams that need project-member-only documentation or private static sites.

Who should avoid GitLab Pages?

Users who need WordPress

GitLab Pages is not normal WordPress hosting.

WordPress requires PHP and a database, while GitLab Pages is static hosting.

Users who need PHP and MySQL

GitLab Pages does not support PHP, MySQL, or dynamic server-side processing.

If your project needs these technologies, choose traditional hosting.

Non-technical users who want visual editing

GitLab Pages is not a visual website builder.

If you want to choose a template, edit text visually, and press publish without learning Git or CI/CD, another platform will be easier.

Ecommerce website owners

GitLab Pages is not suitable as a full ecommerce platform.

You may host a static product information page, but checkout, payment processing, inventory, customer accounts, and secure backend functions need another platform.

Users who need a full backend application

GitLab Pages can publish frontend files. It does not run a backend server.

If your app needs server-side logic, APIs, user accounts, or database writes, you need backend hosting elsewhere.

GitLab Pages for documentation

GitLab Pages is especially strong for documentation.

A documentation site can be built with a static site generator, deployed from GitLab CI/CD, and updated whenever the repository changes. GitLab Pages supports any static site generator and plain static files.

Good documentation uses include:

software manuals
product guides
API documentation
project notes
open-source docs
team knowledge bases
technical reports
release notes

For teams already working in GitLab, this keeps documentation close to the project and makes changes easier to review.

GitLab Pages for portfolios

GitLab Pages can work well for developer portfolios.

A portfolio hosted on GitLab Pages can include:

personal introduction
project list
technical skills
resume link
contact links
project documentation
static case studies

For a developer, hosting through GitLab Pages can also show that you understand repository-based publishing and CI/CD.

For non-technical portfolio owners, a visual website builder may be easier.

GitLab Pages for student projects

GitLab Pages is a good fit for student projects that use static files or static site generators.

It can work for:

HTML/CSS/JavaScript assignments
frontend project demos
documentation projects
static portfolio assignments
class project websites
Git and CI/CD learning tasks

It is not suitable for PHP/MySQL assignments unless the backend is hosted separately.

Students should match the platform to the assignment requirement. If the class requires server-side code, GitLab Pages alone is not enough.

GitLab Pages for business websites

GitLab Pages can host a static business page, but it is not the same as business web hosting.

It may work for:

technical documentation
product documentation
simple static landing pages
developer-focused company pages
internal project pages
static support documents

It is less suitable for business websites that need:

CMS editing by non-technical staff
customer accounts
ecommerce
payment processing
contact form backend
booking systems
marketing automation
dynamic content management

For business use, GitLab Pages is best when the website is technical, static, and maintained by people comfortable with GitLab.

GitLab Pages for self-managed GitLab

GitLab Pages is also available for GitLab Self-Managed, but administrators must configure it before users can access the feature. GitLab’s administration documentation explains that GitLab Pages runs as a separate daemon and can be configured on the same server as GitLab or on separate infrastructure.

This is important for organizations.

On GitLab.com, users can start with GitLab’s hosted infrastructure. On self-managed GitLab, the organization’s administrators need to set up Pages correctly.

For companies with internal GitLab installations, this can be useful for private documentation and internal static sites, but it requires proper administration.

Free plan vs paid upgrade

GitLab Pages is available on GitLab Free, Premium, and Ultimate tiers.

For simple public static sites, documentation, and developer pages, GitLab Free may be enough.

Paid GitLab tiers become more relevant when the organization needs broader GitLab features beyond Pages, such as advanced DevSecOps, team governance, compliance, security features, or enterprise-level collaboration.

Use GitLab Pages on a free setup if:

your site is static
your project is in GitLab
CI/CD deployment is acceptable
you do not need PHP or MySQL
you want a documentation or project site
you are comfortable with GitLab workflows

Consider paid GitLab plans or another platform if:

your organization needs advanced GitLab features
access control and governance needs are more complex
you need enterprise-level administration
your site needs backend hosting
non-technical editing is required
your project is not naturally GitLab-based

For most simple static website users, the decision is not really “free vs paid GitLab.” It is whether GitLab Pages fits the project workflow.

Final opinion

GitLab Pages is a strong free static hosting option for people who already use GitLab or want to learn repository-based website publishing.

Its best use cases are project documentation, developer portfolios, open-source project pages, student frontend projects, and static websites built with HTML/CSS/JavaScript or static site generators. GitLab Pages supports custom domains, SSL/TLS certificates, access control, and CI/CD-based deployment.

Its main limitation is clear: it is static hosting. It does not run PHP, MySQL, WordPress, or dynamic server-side scripts.

Use GitLab Pages when the website belongs inside a GitLab project and can be built as static files. Avoid it when you need a traditional hosting account, a database, a CMS dashboard, or backend application hosting.

For the right reader, GitLab Pages is not only free hosting. It is a practical way to publish static websites as part of a real development workflow.

Link to the official GitLab Pages website

FAQ

Is GitLab Pages free?

Yes. GitLab Pages is listed under GitLab Free, Premium, and Ultimate tiers, and GitLab says Pages websites can run on GitLab-provided infrastructure at no additional cost.

What is GitLab Pages used for?

GitLab Pages is used to publish static websites directly from GitLab repositories. It is commonly used for documentation, project pages, portfolios, static blogs, and frontend project demos.

Does GitLab Pages support custom domains?

Yes. GitLab Pages supports custom domains, including root domains and subdomains, with DNS setup and SSL/TLS certificate configuration.

Does GitLab Pages support HTTPS?

Yes. GitLab Pages projects on GitLab.com are available under HTTPS for the default *.gitlab.io Pages domain. For custom domains, users need to issue and install a certificate for that domain.

Can GitLab Pages run PHP?

No. GitLab Pages does not support dynamic server-side processing such as PHP.

Can GitLab Pages run WordPress?

No, not as normal self-hosted WordPress. WordPress requires PHP and a database, while GitLab Pages is for static websites.

Can GitLab Pages use static site generators?

Yes. GitLab Pages supports static site generators such as Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Middleman, Harp, Hexo, and Brunch, as well as plain HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Wasm.

Does GitLab Pages support private or restricted websites?

Yes, GitLab Pages access control can restrict a Pages site to authenticated project members when the feature is enabled on the GitLab instance.

Is GitLab Pages good for portfolios?

Yes, especially for developer portfolios and technical portfolios. It is less suitable for non-technical users who want visual editing.

Is GitLab Pages good for business websites?

It can be useful for static business documentation or simple static landing pages, but it is not a full business hosting platform. It does not include PHP, MySQL, WordPress, ecommerce, or backend application hosting.

“GitLab Pages works best when your website is part of the project itself — built from the repository, reviewed with the code, and published as a clean static site.”

GitLab Pages Review