Freedom251 › Code review software
PullApprove
What PullApprove is
PullApprove is a code-review framework that combines code ownership with approval requirements. It works with GitHub and GitLab, including GitLab.com and self-managed GitLab, and supports multiple repositories or large monorepos. Each repository uses a CODEREVIEW.toml file to define path-based scopes. Scopes can set eligible reviewers, requested reviewer counts, and required approvals. The CLI initializes, validates, tests, and analyzes configuration coverage. An agent prompt supports configuring, migrating, or fixing setups with Claude, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot; the agent runs locally. Hosted v5 says it has no write access to code and does not retain source code in long-term storage. PullApprove is available as hosted software or a self-hosted Docker image for linux/amd64 requiring PostgreSQL 16 or later. Open-source projects without paid contributors may apply for free access. Paid plans start at $4/user/mo with a 14-day trial. GitLab lacks PullApprove checklists and has partial Insights timeline support.
Who it suits
It suits teams and organizations that need path-based ownership and approval rules across GitHub or GitLab repositories. Self-hosting is an option for Linux environments meeting the stated Docker and PostgreSQL requirements.
What it does well
- Path-based review scopes in CODEREVIEW.toml
- Works with GitHub and GitLab
- CLI validates and tests configurations
- Local assistant prompt support
- Self-hosted Docker distribution available
What to know first
- GitLab lacks PullApprove checklists
- GitLab Insights support is partial
- No SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification
- Paid plans start at $4/user/mo
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Team | $4 / user / mo · Up to 30 users · Unlimited repositories · GitHub.com · 14-day free trial · Private support via email | $4 a month |
| Organization | $6 / user / mo · Up to 100 users · Unlimited repositories · GitHub.com · 14-day free trial · Private support via email · Onboarding consultation · Multiple admins | $6 a month |
| Business | $7,500 + / year · Volume-based pricing · Unlimited repositories · GitHub.com · 30-day free trial · Private support via email · Onboarding consultation · Multiple admins · Priority support (24hr response) · PO and invoicing (annual only) | $7,500 a year |
| Enterprise | Let's talk · Volume-based pricing · Unlimited repositories · GitHub.com · GitHub Enterprise Server · 30-day free trial · Private support via email · Onboarding consultation · Multiple admins · Priority support (24hr response) · PO and invoicing (annual only) · Custom legal agreements · Static IP for allow-listing · Self-hosted solution | On request |
As pullapprove.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
PullApprove formalizes human review ownership and approval counts through repository configuration. It offers hosted and self-hosted deployment, with GitLab feature limitations and paid tiers beyond eligible open-source use.
Facts from PullApprove's own pages
- AI assistant support
- PullApprove provides an agent prompt for configuring, migrating, and fixing its setup, and says the agent runs locally with coding assistants such as Claude, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The PullApprove CLI can initialize, validate, test, and analyze coverage for code review configurations. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- PullApprove uses a CODEREVIEW.toml file in each repository to define path-based review scopes. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Free access
- PullApprove is free for open-source projects that do not have paid contributors, subject to application. · pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- GitLab limitation
- GitLab does not support PullApprove checklists, and its Insights timeline has only partial support. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Hosted security
- For hosted v5, PullApprove says it has no write access to code and does not keep source code in long-term storage. · pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- PullApprove works with GitHub and GitLab, including GitLab.com and self-managed GitLab instances. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker and founding
- Dropseed founder Dave Gaeddert says he started the software business in 2016 with PullApprove. · dropseed.dev, 7 Oct 2026
- Organization scale
- The product is designed for individual teams or whole organizations across multiple repositories and large monorepos. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- PullApprove is a framework for managing human code review and combines code ownership with approval requirements. · pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Review rules
- Scopes can set eligible reviewers, how many reviewers to request, and how many approvals are required. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Security certifications
- PullApprove says it is not currently pursuing SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification. · pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- PullApprove 5 is distributed as a Docker image for linux/amd64 and requires PostgreSQL 16 or later. · 5.pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support page says messages are answered by email, usually within a business day, with a stated response time under 24 hours. · pullapprove.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where PullApprove stands on Freedom251
- Code review software#18 of 50