to read this ToS
GitLab's fine print is longer than you think.
🎓Longer than a college lecture.
The 5 things you actually need to know
⏱️ Saved you 56 min 24s- 1
They can use your company name and logo for marketing without asking.
- 2
Your data might be used to train AI, but they say it won't identify you.
- 3
If you leave, they'll keep your fees unless *they* terminate for *your* breach.
- 4
They can suspend your account for late payments or if you break rules.
- 5
They're not liable for damages beyond what you paid in the last year.
Generated by AI from the actual contract — but for the lawyer-level breakdown, scroll down 👇
AI training
No flags in this category.
Auto-renewal
- Severity 2
"A Subscription Term shall begin as of the Subscription Start Date and remain in effect for the term length as indicated on the Order Form (the “Initial Term”) and automatically renew for successive twelve (12) month terms (each a “Renewal Term”), with the same (i) number of User licenses and usage-based commitments, (ii) Software tier, and (iii) subscription-based Supplemental Services purchased in the most recent Subscription Term, plus any Add-On Users activated and/or used during such Subscription Term, unless thirty (30) days prior written notice is provided prior to the expiration of the current Subscription Term of either party’s intention not to renew, or Customer’s intention to reduce the number of User licenses or usage-based commitments, or as otherwise downgrade the Software tier agreed to between the parties."
GitLab automatically renews your subscription for successive twelve (12) month terms unless you provide 30 days' written notice before the current term expires.
You will be automatically charged for another year of service if you do not cancel in advance.
Price hikes
- Severity 3
"The terms and conditions of this Agreement will apply to any Renewal Term(s) provided that, unless otherwise set forth in an Order Form, Website purchase or other written agreement between the Parties, GitLab’s then-current List Price will apply with regard to any such Renewal Term(s). GitLab reserves the right to (i) increase fees for any Renewal Term(s) with respect to its products and services, including the Software and Supplemental Services, or (ii) offer alternative pricing and conditions should Customer modify the selection, or otherwise reduce the number of User licenses, with regard to such products and services upon any such Renewal(s)."
GitLab may increase fees for renewal terms based on its then-current list price, or offer different pricing if you modify your subscription.
Your renewal cost may increase, and changing your subscription could lead to different pricing terms.
Data residency
No flags in this category.
Termination friction
- Severity 2
"GitLab may suspend Customer’s access to the Software or Supplemental Services due to a Suspension Event. As applicable, GitLab will give Customer prior notice and a reasonable opportunity to resolve or otherwise cure the issue and avoid suspension. GitLab is not required to give prior notice in exigent circumstances, or for suspension of access to avoid material harm or violation of legal or regulatory requirements."
GitLab can suspend your access to services if a Suspension Event occurs, providing notice and an opportunity to resolve the issue unless immediate action is needed to prevent harm or comply with legal requirements.
Your access to the service can be interrupted if you violate the agreement or if there are urgent legal or security concerns.
- Severity 2
"Unless otherwise stated herein, termination of this Agreement shall not affect any Subscriptions currently being delivered and this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the expiration of the then-current Subscription Term. In the event this Agreement is terminated by Customer in accordance with Section 4.3, GitLab will refund Customer any prepaid Fees for the prorated portion of unused Subscription Term. If this Agreement is terminated by GitLab in accordance with this Section 4.3, Customer will pay (if applicable) any unpaid Fees covering the remainder of the Subscription Term of all Order Forms, to the extent permitted by applicable law."
If you terminate the agreement, GitLab will refund prepaid fees for the unused portion of your subscription term; if GitLab terminates, you must pay for the remainder of the term.
You may receive a partial refund if you end the contract, but you might have to pay for the full term if GitLab ends it.
Liability caps
- Severity 5
"TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY OR THEIR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF REVENUE, ANTICIPATED PROFITS, LOST BUSINESS OR LOST SALES, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES."
Neither party nor their licensors will be liable for indirect damages like lost revenue or profits, regardless of the legal theory.
You cannot recover compensation for indirect financial losses if something goes wrong.
- Severity 5
"If Customer deletes, loses access to, or otherwise revokes GitLab’s access to the Encryption Keys (“Encryption Key Failure”), GitLab disclaims all liability under this Agreement for any Customer claim, including but not limited to claims for material breach, indemnification, or loss of Customer Content. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE AGREEMENT, GITLAB SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OF ANY TYPE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IF AN ENCRYPTION KEY FAILURE OCCURS."
GitLab has no liability for any customer claims if you lose access to encryption keys, including claims for breach, indemnification, or loss of content.
You bear all responsibility for data loss or other issues if you mismanage your encryption keys.
- Severity 4
"TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF EACH PARTY AND ITS AFFILIATES AND LICENSORS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY), OR OTHERWISE, WILL NOT EXCEED, IN THE AGGREGATE, THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY CUSTOMER OR ITS AFFILIATES HEREUNDER IN THE ONE YEAR PERIOD PRECEDING THE FIRST INCIDENT OUT OF WHICH THE LIABILITY AROSE."
The total liability of GitLab and its licensors is capped at the amount you paid in the one year before the liability arose.
Your ability to recover damages from GitLab is limited to the amount you spent in the prior year.
Indemnification
- Severity 3
"Customer will defend GitLab and its Affiliates against any claim, demand, suit or proceeding made or brought against GitLab by a third party alleging: (i) that any Customer Content or Customer’s use of Customer Content with the Software or any software (or combination of software) provided by Customer and used with the Software, infringes or misappropriates such third party’s intellectual property rights, or (ii) that Customer uses the Software in an unlawful manner or in violation of the Agreement, the applicable Documentation, or Order Form (each a “GitLab Claim”)."
You will defend GitLab against third-party claims that your content or use of the software infringes intellectual property rights or violates the agreement or law.
You are responsible for legal costs and damages if your use of GitLab or your content leads to a third-party lawsuit.
Silent term changes
- Severity 3
"for Customers who solely use Free Software, GitLab may update this Agreement and Additional Terms from time to time by posting the revised terms at https://about.gitlab.com/terms/, and such customers’ continued access or use of the Software following such update will constitute express acceptance thereof."
GitLab may update the agreement for free software users by posting revised terms online, and continued use signifies acceptance.
You agree to new terms for free services simply by continuing to use them after they are updated.
Better alternatives
Higher-rated vendors in developer tooling that may be safer than GitLab.
Ask the lawyer
GitLab · grade C
Hey 👋
I've read every word of GitLab's ToS so you don't have to. Ask me anything — I'll quote the actual contract.
Try asking