Backlog by Nulab Inc vs GitLab
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Quick verdict: Pick Backlog by Nulab Inc for flat-rate task and code management; pick GitLab for full DevSecOps with CI/CD, security, and AI agents.
Best for: Software teams that want issue tracking and code hosting under one roof, Agile teams that plan with Kanban boards or Gantt charts
Read the full Backlog by Nulab Inc reviewBest for: Software teams consolidating code, CI/CD, and security tools into one platform, Enterprises in regulated industries like finance, public sector, and aerospace
Read the full GitLab reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
Backlog by Nulab Inc vs GitLab: features compared
Compare key features side by side
Feature Comparison Summary
Which should you choose?
Choose Backlog by Nulab Inc if
- You need tasks, docs, bugs, and Git in one simple tool.
Choose GitLab if
- You need CI/CD, security scanning, and code on one platform.
- You work in regulated industries needing audit-ready compliance evidence.
- You want AI agents turning issues into merge requests automatically.
Backlog by Nulab Inc vs GitLab: pros and cons
Backlog by Nulab Inc
Backlog bundles task tracking, Gantt and Kanban views, docs, and built-in Git and SVN behind flat-rate pricing that never climbs with headcount. The AI Assistant, unlimited Gantt views, and enterprise SSO sit on pricier tiers, though, and storage caps run tight. Overall, it's a solid pick for growing teams that want projects and code on one predictable bill.
Pros
- Flat-rate team pricing instead of per-seat fees — the $35/month Starter plan covers up to 30 users, and Standard and above support unlimited users, so adding teammates never raises the bill
- Built-in Git and Subversion hosting inside the platform—developers can manage repositories, review pull requests, and link commits directly to tasks without switching between a code host and a project tracker
- A working AI Assistant (included on Premium and Enterprise) that builds daily to-do lists, summarizes documents and project progress, flags blockers, and pulls up files and deadlines on demand
Cons
- The AI Assistant is locked behind the $175/month Premium tier or custom-priced Enterprise, and heavy AI usage requires paid credit top-ups ($60–$210/month for 2,000–9,000 additional credits), which erodes the flat-rate value proposition
- Storage limits are tight at every tier—100 MB on Free, 1 GB on Starter, 30 GB on Standard, and 100 GB on Premium—so file-heavy teams may hit ceilings well before user limits
- The Starter plan caps at 30 users and 5 projects, forcing a jump to the $100/month Standard tier for teams just over that line, and Standard restricts Gantt charts to a 6-month view (unlimited views require Premium)
GitLab brings planning, code, CI/CD, and security onto one platform, with AI agents that handle repetitive work under rules you set. Free and Premium pricing is clear, but Ultimate hides its price and paid plans bill annually only. Overall, it's a strong consolidation bet if you accept the yearly commitment.
Pros
- Consolidates planning, source code management, CI/CD, and security scanning onto a single data plane, eliminating the need to stitch together multiple tools that don't share information
- Integrates SAST, DAST, SCA, and Secret Detection directly into pipelines, with findings surfaced in merge requests and IDEs so vulnerabilities are caught earlier and cheaper to fix
- The Duo Agent Platform automates repetitive work — turning issues into merge requests, remediating vulnerabilities, and reviewing code — within guardrails your team defines
Cons
- Ultimate, Dedicated, and GitLab Flex pricing are not published — you must contact sales, making it hard to budget before a sales conversation
- Paid plans are billed annually rather than month-to-month, and GitLab Flex is built around a one-year commitment, which limits flexibility for teams wanting shorter terms
- No money-back guarantee is advertised, so the free trial is the only way to validate fit before committing
Backlog by Nulab Inc and GitLab in detail
Backlog by Nulab Inc
Backlog is a project management platform from Nulab Inc. It combines task tracking, Agile boards, Gantt charts, bug tracking, and team documentation in one tool.
Developers can manage Git and SVN code without leaving the app, and an AI assistant summarizes updates and drafts documents. Nulab says more than 4 million users worldwide rely on it.
Standout features
- Plan work your way
- Your AI teammate for smarter project management
- Manage code where your work lives
- Keep everything in one place
Use cases
- Run Agile sprints without the guesswork
- Keep code and tasks in one place
- Coordinate marketing campaigns and deadlines
- Grow your team without growing the bill
GitLab
GitLab is a DevSecOps platform covering the whole software lifecycle — planning, source code management, CI/CD, and application security — on a single data plane. Its Duo Agent Platform adds AI agents that turn issues into merge requests, remediate vulnerabilities, and review code under your rules. It targets teams of every size, from startups to enterprises in regulated industries, with 50+ million people already using it.
Standout features
- One platform, one source of truth
- AI agents that work by your rules
- Security built in, not bolted on
- Workflows that fit your team
Use cases
- Consolidate your toolchain
- Let AI agents handle the busywork
- Catch security issues before they ship
- Meet compliance without slowing down
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | Backlog by Nulab Inc | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | $35/mo Starter | $5/mo Storage (add-on) |
| Free plan | Yes 10 users | Yes No credit card required. For individuals on personal projects and open source. 5 users per top-level group, 400 compute minutes/month, 10 GiB adjustable storage, SAST. |
| Free trial | Not stated | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | Not stated | Not stated |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Per-user and flat plans |
| Cost for 1 user | Free Free plan, billed annually | Free Free (GitLab.com) plan, billed annually |
| Cost for 5 users | Free Free plan, billed annually | $5/mo Storage (add-on) plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 10 users | Free Free plan, billed annually | $5/mo Storage (add-on) plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 25 users | $35/moCheaper Starter plan, billed monthly | $375/mo Enterprise Agile Planning (add-on) plan, billed monthly |
| Plans | 5 | 12 |
| Prices checked | Checked Oct 13, 2026 | Vendor page checked Oct 12, 2026 |
| Price history | Tracking prices since Sep 9, 2026. No price change detected yet. | Tracking prices since Sep 9, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed annually), Backlog by Nulab Inc and GitLab both cost $0/mo.
- For 25 users (billed monthly), Backlog by Nulab Inc costs $35/mo vs GitLab at $375/mo.
- Both tools have a free plan.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scales better for large enterprises?
GitLab. It offers Ultimate, single-tenant Dedicated hosting, FedRAMP government options, and air-gapped deployment. Backlog's Enterprise adds SSO and audit logs, but GitLab targets regulated organizations more deeply.