Technology · head to head
GitLab vs Kaspersky Total Security

Kaspersky Total Security
Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GitLab baseline requires 8 vCPU and 16 GB RAM for single-node installations; resource-intensive; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: GitLab covers Git repository management, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GitLab and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | GitLab | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Platforms | Linux, Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure) | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Category | Technology | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 2011 | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 GitLab
- Git repository management
- CI/CD pipelines
- Issue tracking
- Code review
- Wiki
- Container registry
- Security scanning
- Monitoring
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GitLab
- Git repository management and version controlnot Kaspersky Total Security
- CI/CD pipeline automationnot Kaspersky Total Security
- DevOps and release managementnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Security and compliance workflowsnot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot GitLab
- Internet Securitynot GitLab
- Parental Controlnot GitLab
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GitLab
- Baseline requires 8 vCPU and 16 GB RAM for single-node installations; resource-intensive
- PostgreSQL is mandatory; no support for alternative databases
- Redis or Valkey cache required; adds infrastructure complexity
- High-availability deployments require inter-node latency below 5 ms; difficult to achieve across geographically distributed sites
- Requires self-hosting and maintenance; GitLab.com SaaS only available to GitLab team members for administration
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Pricing, plan by plan
GitLab
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the GitLab review.
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose GitLab if
- You need git repository management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure).
- You also want ci/cd pipelines.
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is GitLab or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. GitLab starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GitLab or Kaspersky Total Security?
- GitLab starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free.
- Does GitLab or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
- GitLab runs on Linux, Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure). Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use GitLab for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GitLab best used for?
- GitLab is most often used for git repository management and version control, ci/cd pipeline automation, devops and release management, security and compliance workflows. Of those, git repository management and version control and ci/cd pipeline automation are not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can GitLab do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- GitLab covers Git repository management, CI/CD pipelines, Issue tracking, Code review. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
Other head to heads
- GitLab vs Asana
- GitLab vs ClickUp
- GitLab vs Linear
- GitLab vs Figma
- GitLab vs Kubernetes
- GitLab vs Notion
- GitLab vs Datadog
- GitLab vs Monday.com
- GitLab vs Terraform
- GitLab vs Docker
- GitLab vs Greenhouse
- GitLab vs Google Chrome
- GitLab vs Intercom
- GitLab vs Mozilla Firefox
- GitLab vs Okta
- GitLab vs PostHog
- GitLab vs Redis
- GitLab vs Supabase
- GitLab vs 1Password
- GitLab vs Bitdefender Total Security
- GitLab vs Norton 360
- GitLab vs LastPass
- GitLab vs Snyk
- GitLab vs Bitwarden
- GitLab vs Brave Browser
- GitLab vs Clerk
- GitLab vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- GitLab vs Mullvad VPN
- GitLab vs OneTrust
- GitLab vs Private Internet Access
- GitLab vs Proton Mail
- GitLab vs Tuta
- GitLab vs Akeyless
- GitLab vs Doppler
- GitLab vs Frontegg
- GitLab vs Infisical
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Asana
- Kaspersky Total Security vs ClickUp
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Linear
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Figma
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Kubernetes
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Notion
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Datadog
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Monday.com
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Terraform
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Docker
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Greenhouse
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Google Chrome
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Intercom
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Mozilla Firefox
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Okta
- Kaspersky Total Security vs PostHog
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Redis
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Supabase
- Kaspersky Total Security vs 1Password
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Norton 360
- Kaspersky Total Security vs LastPass
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Snyk
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Bitwarden
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Brave Browser
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Clerk
- Kaspersky Total Security vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Mullvad VPN
- Kaspersky Total Security vs OneTrust
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Private Internet Access
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Proton Mail
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Tuta
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Akeyless
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Doppler
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Frontegg
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Infisical

