GitLab just updated their free trial — and it includes access to their new GitLab Duo Agent Platform. No credit card required. 30 days.
But here is the thing: most people sign up without reading the fine print. I went through the trial page and FAQ so you don't have to. Here's what matters.
What You Get (Free Trial)
The trial gives you nearly all Ultimate-tier features for 30 days. That includes:
- GitLab Duo Agent Platform — their agentic AI for the entire software lifecycle
- 24 AI credits per user — for code suggestions, chat, and AI-assisted features
- CI/CD pipelines — with 400 compute minutes per month (on GitLab.com)
- Application Security Testing — SAST, DAST, secret detection, dependency scanning
- Software Supply Chain Security — container scanning, SBOM, vulnerability management
- Compliance pipelines — audit events, merge request approvals
- Value Stream Management — analytics and insights
Two options to start:
- GitLab.com — we host, instant setup, no installation
- Self-Managed — you host, download and install on your own infrastructure (requires Linux experience, GitLab 18.0+)
What You Don't Get
This is the part people miss:
- No group tokens — only a single project token is available during the trial
- No external API connections — features requiring external APIs won't work
- No support — free trials exclude support at any level. If you need to evaluate their support SLA, you'll need to contact sales
- 400 compute minutes limit — if you use GitLab.com shared runners
- Credit card required if you want shared runners — GitLab added this to prevent crypto mining abuse
After the trial ends, you lose access to Duo Agent Platform and any remaining AI credits. You can continue on the Free tier or upgrade to a paid plan.
GitLab Duo Agent Platform — The Real Draw
This is what makes the 2026 trial different from previous years.
GitLab Duo is their AI layer across the entire DevSecOps lifecycle:
- Code Suggestions — AI-powered code completion
- Duo Chat — ask questions about your codebase
- Agentic AI — autonomous agents for code review, vulnerability remediation, and test generation
During the trial, you get 24 credits per user to test these features. After the trial, you'll need a paid plan to keep using them.
Pricing After Trial
GitLab has three tiers:
| Plan | Who It's For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Individuals, small projects | Core CI/CD, 400 compute minutes, 5GB storage |
| Premium | Growing teams | 10,000 compute minutes, code review, compliance |
| Ultimate | Enterprise | Full security suite, Duo AI, priority support |
Special programs available:
- GitLab for Open Source — free Ultimate license for qualifying projects
- GitLab for Startups — free Ultimate for early-stage companies
- GitLab for Education — free for students and educators
Should You Try It?
If you're evaluating DevSecOps platforms, the 30-day trial is worth it for these reasons:
- Full security scanning — test SAST, DAST, dependency scanning without paying
- AI features — experience Duo Agent Platform before committing
- No lock-in — no credit card required (unless you use shared runners)
- Self-hosted option — test it on your own infrastructure
The trial is limited, but 30 days is enough to run a real project through it and see if it fits your workflow.
Try it: about.gitlab.com/free-trial
Note: This article is based on GitLab's official free trial page and FAQ as of June 2026. Features and limits may change.