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Graphite is a GitHub review layer for teams adopting stacked pull requests, with AI review also among its use cases. Replacing it means choosing whether to keep GitHub and change the review workflow, or move code hosting and reviews together. The options below range from free, self-hosted tools to hosted platforms with free plans and listed starting prices. Before migrating, check API and SDK coverage, plan limits, integrations, and how much review history you need to move.
01Why people leave Graphite
Check seat costs before rollout
Graphite starts at $20 and its positioning flags seat costs; model the total for your team before standardizing on it.
Confirm free-plan limits
A free plan is available, but teams should verify its limits against their repository count, review volume, and required controls.
Need control over hosting
Teams requiring self-managed or air-gapped deployment may prefer alternatives that explicitly offer those options.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Best for self-hosted reviews
Review BoardReview BoardReview Board is a closer fit when the job is reviewing code, documents, and images rather than adopting Graphite’s GitHub-focused workflow. It offers on-prem, air-gapped, and hosted deployment options, and starts at $6 with a free plan. Check its supported version-control integrations and API needs before migration; moving review history and existing review processes will need a plan.
Trade-off: Confirm integrations and migration requirements before replacing an established PR workflow.
7.1/10from
$6/mofree plan - Best for gated reviews
Gerrit Code ReviewGerrit Code ReviewGerrit is open source and self-hostable, with configurable patch reviews and detailed permissions—useful when review gates matter more than Graphite’s stacked-PR workflow. It has no license fee, but hosting and operations become your responsibility. Plan a trial migration around Git repositories, permissions, and review rules, and verify the API and automation support your team needs.
Trade-off: You take on hosting, upgrades, and review-service operations.
7.5/10from
Freefree plan - Best for self-hosted Git
GiteaGitea
Gitea can replace more than Graphite’s review layer: it is a broad Git platform with issues and reviews, and it can be self-hosted for free under the MIT license. A managed option starts at $9.50 and has a free plan. Teams can reuse GitHub Actions workflows, but should check integration and migration requirements before moving repositories and review processes.
Trade-off: Moving to a Git platform changes more than the review layer.
8.0/10from
$9.50/mofree plan - Best for private code hosting
ForgejoForgejoForgejo is a free, open-source, self-hosted forge for teams prioritizing code privacy or federation. It can reduce dependence on a hosted review service, but your team owns server operations. Before switching from Graphite, map repository and review workflows, check migration requirements, and verify API and automation compatibility with the services already in your stack.
Trade-off: Your team handles server operations and migration checks.
7.7/10from
Freefree plan - Best for Jira teams
BitbucketBitbucketBitbucket is a broader code and CI/CD platform, making it a candidate when replacing Graphite is part of standardizing a Jira-based stack. It starts at $3.65 and has a free plan; self-managed deployment is also an option. Compare the actual usage costs and hosting requirements, then check integrations and review-workflow migration before moving repositories.
Trade-off: Verify usage costs and deployment requirements for your organization.
7.5/10from
$3.65/mofree plan - Best for private deployment
GiteeGiteeGitee combines code hosting with DevOps workflows and offers a private-deployment option, which may suit teams that want to replace a review layer and consolidate tooling. It starts at $24.92 and has a free plan. Check migration terms, integrations, API needs, and the plan’s limits before making it core infrastructure.
Trade-off: Its listed starting price is higher than several alternatives here.
6.5/10from
CN¥24.92/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | $20/mo | Yes | GitHub teams adopting stacked PRs | |
| 7.1 | $6/mo | Yes | Teams reviewing code and documents together | |
| 7.5 | Free | Yes | Teams that self-host Git services | |
| Gitea Gitea | 8.0 | $9.50/mo | Yes | Teams that want self-hosted Git |
| 7.7 | Free | Yes | Teams running their own Git forge | |
| 7.5 | $3.65/mo | Yes | Teams already using Jira | |
| 6.5 | CN¥24.92/mo | Yes | Teams seeking an all-in-one DevOps suite |
Questions people ask
Is Graphite a GitHub alternative?
Graphite is positioned as a focused GitHub review layer for teams adopting stacked pull requests, not as a replacement for Git hosting. If you want to move repositories as well as reviews, consider a broader platform such as Gitea, Forgejo, Bitbucket, or Gitee.
Which Graphite alternatives can we self-host?
Review Board offers on-prem and air-gapped deployment. Gitea, Gerrit Code Review, and Forgejo are self-hostable; Bitbucket and Gitee also list self-managed or private deployment options. Compare operational requirements and migration needs alongside license costs.
Which alternatives are open source?
Gitea is MIT-licensed, and Gerrit Code Review and Forgejo are open source. Their self-hosted options avoid a per-seat software license, but they do not remove infrastructure and operations costs. Check each project’s current license and deployment requirements before adoption.
