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Developer Tools · head to head

GitHub vs IDnow

GitHub logo

GitHub

Developer Tools

Where the world builds software

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit GitHubFull review
IDnow logo

IDnow

Cybersecurity

Identity verification and qualified electronic signature for regulated European markets

From
On request
Free plan
No
Visit IDnowFull review

The short version

  • GitHub is a development platform inspired.
  • GitHub starts at $4/mo; IDnow prices on request.
  • Only GitHub lists git repositories; only IDnow lists eID and NFC.
  • Where GitHub falls short: acquired by Microsoft in 2018, reducing pure independence despite operational autonomy.
  • Where IDnow falls short: pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GitHub and IDnow actually diverge.

Attributes where GitHub and IDnow differ
AttributeGitHubIDnow
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelSubscriptionQuote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategoryDeveloper ToolsCybersecurity

Not yet recorded: founded for IDnow.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GitHub

  • Git repositories
  • Pull requests
  • Code review
  • Issues & projects
  • GitHub Actions CI/CD
  • GitHub Pages
  • Security scanning
  • Dependency management

Only in IDnow

  • VideoIdent
  • AutoIdent
  • eSign
  • eID and NFC
  • Bank identification
  • EU data processing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GitHub

  • Version controlnot IDnow
  • Code collaborationnot IDnow
  • CI/CD pipelinesnot IDnow
  • Project managementnot IDnow
  • Documentation hostingnot IDnow

IDnow

  • A German bank opening regulated accounts where BaFin requires a recognised identification methodnot GitHub
  • An insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a European courtnot GitHub
  • A telecom operator meeting national SIM registration identity rules across several EU statesnot GitHub
  • A lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value casesnot GitHub

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GitHub

  • Acquired by Microsoft in 2018, reducing pure independence despite operational autonomy
  • Primary focus on source control differs from purpose-built project management tools like Jira
  • Pricing for enterprise features and private repositories adds up compared to some self-hosted alternatives

IDnow

  • Agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters
  • Pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it
  • The product is optimised for European regulatory regimes, so buyers verifying users in North America, Asia or Africa will find coverage and cost less competitive than global specialists
  • Qualified electronic signature is a separate licence from identity verification, which surprises buyers who assumed the accredited identity check made the signature capability included
  • Integration for the regulated flows is heavier than a simple SDK drop-in because the compliant journey, including consent and recording requirements, constrains the user experience you can build

Pricing, plan by plan

GitHub

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited public/private repos
    • 2,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 500MB package storage
  • Team$4/mo
    • Everything in Free
    • 3,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 2GB package storage
  • Enterprise$21/mo
    • Everything in Team
    • 50,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 50GB package storage

IDnow

On request
  • IDnow PlatformOn request
    • Per-identification pricing that differs sharply between automated and agent-led methods
    • Annual volume commitment typically required
    • Qualified electronic signature licensed separately

Which should you pick?

Choose GitHub if

  • You need git repositories.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want pull requests.
GitHub review

Choose IDnow if

  • You need videoident.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want autoident.
IDnow review

Questions people ask

Is GitHub or IDnow better?
Neither clearly leads. GitHub starts at Free and IDnow at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GitHub or IDnow?
GitHub has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GitHub and On request for IDnow.
Does GitHub or IDnow run on more platforms?
GitHub runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. IDnow runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use GitHub for free?
Yes. GitHub has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IDnow starts at On request.
What is GitHub best used for?
GitHub is most often used for version control, code collaboration, ci/cd pipelines, project management. Of those, version control and code collaboration are not what IDnow is typically brought in for.
What can GitHub do that IDnow cannot?
GitHub covers Git repositories, Pull requests, Code review, Issues & projects. IDnow covers VideoIdent, AutoIdent, eSign, eID and NFC.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GitHub: What is a Git repository and how does GitHub use it?

A repository is the centralized database that stores the complete collection of files and folders for a codebase, along with the revision history. GitHub uses Git to provide distributed version control access to repositories with version tracking, branching, and collaboration features.

Source
IDnow: Why choose it over a cheaper automated vendor?

Because in some European regimes the cheaper vendor is not legally permitted for the transaction. This is an eligibility question, not a quality one.

GitHub: How does GitHub authentication work?

When you connect to a GitHub repository from Git, you need to authenticate with GitHub using either HTTPS or SSH. GitHub supports multiple authentication methods including passwords, personal access tokens, SSH keys, and GitHub Apps.

Source
IDnow: Is the electronic signature included?

No. Qualified electronic signature under eIDAS is licensed separately from identity verification.

GitHub: How long has GitHub been operating?

GitHub was founded in 2008 and launched publicly on April 10, 2008, making it the dominant git hosting platform for nearly two decades.

Source
IDnow: Where is the data processed?

In European data centres, which is a requirement rather than a preference for many of its regulated customers.

GitHub: Who owns GitHub and when did the acquisition occur?

Microsoft acquired GitHub for $7.5 billion USD, with the deal announced June 4, 2018 and completed October 26, 2018. GitHub operates as an independent subsidiary within Microsoft.

Source
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