Codeberg

Codeberg is a Forgejo-based code-hosting and collaboration service best suited to free/libre software projects. It brings repositories, issue tracking, wikis, static pages and CI/CD together, with defined storage caps and an eligibility policy that make it a more focused choice than a general-purpose host.

Overview

Codeberg is operated by Codeberg e.V., a Berlin-based non-profit association with a community-driven model. You do not need to be a member to use Codeberg.org. Its Forgejo foundation also gives developers who want to run their own forge a clear alternative: self-host Forgejo instead.

The intended-use policy matters: Codeberg is for projects that contribute to free/libre software, and it may reject projects that do not meet that purpose or that abuse its infrastructure. Its moderation team and infrastructure administrators can access private profiles and repositories under its Privacy Policy, so it is not the right place for sensitive private material if that access is a concern.

Key features

Repositories combine Git source code with issue tracking and wikis, keeping core project coordination alongside code. Codeberg Pages can publish static websites at a codeberg.page address or on a custom domain, making it useful for project sites and documentation without serving as a general-purpose hosting platform.

CI/CD is available through a Woodpecker CI instance at ci.codeberg.org and Forgejo Actions. Weblate is offered as an additional service for software localization. Official integration documentation covers Keycloak, LiberaPay, Matrix and Read the Docs, a useful set for projects that already depend on those services.

For account and repository access, Codeberg supports two-factor authentication and recommends SSH keys for passwordless access. It also publishes SSH host fingerprints, letting users verify they are connecting to Codeberg servers. For bugs or unanswered questions, its documentation points users to the Codeberg Community Tracker.

Pricing

Codeberg's “Free/libre software projects” plan costs nothing, with no payment required. It includes 750 MiB of Git storage, 1.5 GiB for packages, LFS and attachments, and 100 MiB for private or personal content. The allowance supports modest project needs, but the separate, relatively small private or personal-content cap is a constraint for teams keeping substantial non-public material.

The plan also includes 100 repositories by default for users and organizations. Increases can be requested through Codeberg's public requests repository. The free plan's eligibility is as important as its price: it is intended for free/libre software projects, not unrestricted commercial or personal use.

Platforms

Codeberg supports web use and is categorized for Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted environments. Self-hosting means running Forgejo, the software behind Codeberg, rather than installing Codeberg.org itself.

Who it's for

Codeberg is a strong fit for free/libre software maintainers who want source hosting, issue tracking, wikis, static project pages and CI/CD in one place, and who can work within its storage and repository limits. It is a weaker fit for projects outside its eligibility purpose, users who need larger private-content allowances, or anyone unwilling to accept administrator access to private profiles and repositories under the Privacy Policy.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Git repositories, issues and wikis sit alongside Pages and two CI/CD options, reducing the need to separate basic project work across services.
• Pro: The non-profit, community-driven operating model and the option to self-host Forgejo suit projects that value community governance or deployment control.
• Con: Free use is purpose-bound to free/libre software, so it is not a universal home for every kind of code project.
• Con: The plan caps Git storage at 750 MiB and private or personal content at 100 MiB; those limits can become restrictive as projects grow.
• Con: Moderation and infrastructure administrators can access private profiles and repositories under the Privacy Policy, which may rule it out for sensitive work.

Alternatives

For a game-development-focused version-control option, start with the game version control software directory.

• Bitbucket Pipelines is worth considering when a team needs a free tier for up to five users, unlimited public and private repositories, 1 GB of LFS storage and 50 build minutes per month; its free tier is not described as purpose-limited to free/libre projects.
• Fossil suits developers who prefer a self-hosted, BSD-licensed free and open-source option.
• GitKraken Desktop is an alternative for OSS development centered on local repositories and public remotes; its free Community plan is limited to public repositories.
• SmartGit may suit personal, non-commercial use where a full feature set without enterprise integrations is enough and free registration is acceptable.
• Unity Version Control is an alternative with a free tier that includes unlimited cloud seats and 25 GB of storage, with usage beyond included limits charged pay-as-you-go.
• Anchorpoint offers a single-user, non-commercial Personal plan with GitHub Git, local Git, a file browser and Python API.
• Apache Subversion is a free, open-source version-control option whose project provides source code.
• Git Large File Storage is a free, open-source Git extension for storing file contents on a remote server.

Verdict

Choose Codeberg if you maintain free/libre software and want a non-profit Forgejo-based home that combines repositories with project collaboration, pages and CI/CD at no charge. Look elsewhere if your project falls outside its intended-use policy, your storage needs exceed its caps, or administrator access to private repositories is incompatible with your privacy requirements.