| Azure DevOps | GitHub Projects | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Agile | Agile |
| Best for | Software teams in the Microsoft ecosystem that want planning and CI/CD in one suite | Engineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHub |
| Free plan | Yes (first 5 users free) | Yes (free forever) |
| Paid plans from | $6 per user / month (Basic (extra users)) | $4 per user / month (Team) |
| Platform | ||
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Team size | Mid-size, Large, Enterprise | Small team, Mid-size, Large, Enterprise |
| Approach | Agile boards and backlogs integrated with git repos and CI/CD pipelines | Boards and tables built directly on GitHub issues and pull requests |
| Learning curve | High | Low |
| AI features | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | GitHub, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Slack | Slack, Jira, Zapier |
| Strengths |
|
|
Azure DevOps vs GitHub Projects pricing
Azure DevOps
- Basic$0First 5 users free
- Basic (extra users)$6 per user / monthAfter the first 5 free users
- Basic + Test Plans$52 per user / month30-day free trial
Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Prices exclude VAT and local taxes unless stated. See current Azure DevOps pricing →
GitHub Projects
- Free$0Free forever
- Team$4 per user / month
- Enterprise$21 per user / monthStarting price
Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Prices exclude VAT and local taxes unless stated. See current GitHub Projects pricing →
Strengths and trade-offs
Azure DevOps
Where it stands out
Its integrated dev toolchain and strong CI/CD make it attractive for engineering teams that want to avoid stitching separate tools together.
Trade-off to know
It's built for technical teams, so it's a poor fit for mixed teams that include a lot of non-developers.
GitHub Projects
Where it stands out
Being native to GitHub, with custom fields and views, makes it attractive for dev teams that want one less app in their workflow.
Trade-off to know
It's limited for non-technical teams who don't already work inside GitHub.
Which one fits your team?
Choose Azure DevOps if…
- You want planning, repos, and CI/CD pipelines integrated into one suite, especially within the Microsoft ecosystem
- Your team is technical and comfortable with a more complex, enterprise-scale toolchain
Choose GitHub Projects if…
- You want lightweight project tracking that lives natively inside GitHub with no separate tool to maintain
- You want low complexity with custom fields and views, not a full dev lifecycle suite
FAQ
What is the main difference between Azure DevOps and GitHub Projects?
Azure DevOps and GitHub Projects both tie project tracking directly into a software team's development workflow, but they differ sharply in scope. Azure DevOps is a full, high-complexity dev lifecycle suite spanning boards, repos, and CI/CD pipelines, while GitHub Projects is a lighter, low-complexity board that lives natively inside GitHub itself.
Do Azure DevOps and GitHub Projects have a free plan?
Yes, both offer a free plan. Azure DevOps: first 5 users free. GitHub Projects: free forever.
How much do Azure DevOps and GitHub Projects cost?
Azure DevOps's paid plans start at $6 per user / month (Basic (extra users)), while GitHub Projects's start at $4 per user / month (Team). Billing period, team size, and taxes affect the final price, so check each vendor's pricing page before deciding.
Who is each tool best suited for?
Azure DevOps fits software teams in the Microsoft ecosystem that want planning and CI/CD in one suite. GitHub Projects fits engineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHub.
Can Azure DevOps or GitHub Projects be self-hosted?
Azure DevOps offers both cloud and self-hosted options; GitHub Projects offers both cloud and self-hosted options.