GitOps Vs DevOps: What’s the Difference?

The modern age is a technology-driven era. Look around in any sector! You should find each field using technology in some form. The situation is even more magnifying in the case of the tech world. Here, every organization seems to employ the latest techniques for smooth business operations. While many innovative methodologies have popped up, GitOps and DevOps are the highlights. Many aspirants even check GitOps vs DevOps to understand the difference and make an ideal choice. Let’s dig deeper to gain more insights into these growing fields.

What is GitOps?

GitOps is essentially a way to operate and manage infrastructure using Git as the single source of truth. The approach employs Git for continuous delivery (CD) and deployment also; it uses Git to version control application code as well as Infrastructure as Code and deployments. 

So, all changes you make to the system such as updates and infrastructure configurations are monitored and auditable in a single central location.

Since Git is used for both operation and deployment, rollbacks can be executed easily by getting back to an earlier commit in the Git repository. Eventually, GitOps helps to promote reliability, speed, and simplicity in managing cloud infrastructure. 

Even though it has been gaining momentum among DevOps groups, it isn’t a new methodology. Weave works coined it originally in 2017. As more companies embrace these principles of version-controlled operations and deployments, we can expect further adoption and growth of GitOps in the coming years.

What is DevOps?

The DevOps approach is a cultural methodology in software development and delivery. It cements the gap between development and operations teams through collaboration, communication, and automation. DevOps improves the quality and reliability of software releases by communicating with different teams for a continuous delivery model.

Development Operations teams automate the development process, from code creation to deployment and monitoring. They use continuous integration and delivery for faster, more reliable software.

The approach blends software development and operations teams towards a common goal. Instead of siloed roles, professionals often have expertise in both operations and development. DevOps stresses a culture of automation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

DevOps can result in faster software deliveries and more reliable deployments through improved integration of processes and communication. Its principles can apply to any organization to streamline development processes. So, it’s becoming integral to modern software creation and operations management.

Differences Between GitOps and DevOps

Let’s check the comparison briefly in a tabulated form for better understanding.

Parameters	GitOps	GitOps
Approach	Uses a specific technique	Adaptable to different tools
Flexibility	Less flexible	Higher flexibility
Tool	Uses the Git version control system as the main tool. Other Tools include separate CI/CD pipelines, Kubernetes, and Infrastructure as Code.	The primary tool is Jenkins, with other tools like Puppet, Ansible, and Chef used as needed.
Focus	Precision and accuracy	Frequent deployments
Correctness	More focus on correctness	Less emphasis on correctness

GitOps vs DevOps: Approach

Development Operations is a philosophy that focuses on collaboration between operations teams and developers. DevOps aims to bring these two groups together for efficient processes. It shortens the feedback issue between ops teams and developers and speeds up development. 

Also, DevOps can reduce errors and improve efficiency. It does so through quick identification and resolutions of issues.

GitOps is a new philosophy. It focuses on Git’s repositories for application code and infrastructure. Teams can monitor all changes in one place and make rollbacks when necessary. Also, GitOps automate their deployment process to enhance development.

GitOps vs. DevOps: Main Tool

When comparing DevOps and GitOps, one of the key differences lies in their primary tool. DevOps primarily uses Jenkins for continuous integration and delivery. GitOps employs a popular version control system, Git.

Although both tools can tackle code changes, Git provides greater flexibility in merging and branching code, as well as a wide range of third-party integrations. Additionally, Git was mainly designed for version control, whereas Jenkins was created for automating development tasks.

However, DevOps and GitOps are ultimately approaches instead of specific tools. This means that they can each still use various other tools beyond Git or Jenkins. Ultimately, the blend of the right tool and approach depends on the specific goals and needs of a particular team.

GitOps vs DevOps: Focus

The two philosophies differ mainly in their respective focuses. DevOps stresses automating the process of development from start to end. This includes tasks like code testing, monitoring, and deployments. GitOps, on the other hand, focuses on treating infrastructure as code. This enables speed and flexibility when making changes to the infrastructure.

GitOps vs. DevOps: Correctness

In Development Operations, the ops team deploys code and manages infrastructure, but the development group ensures correct deployment. In GitOps, declarative configuration files stored in Git repositories serve as a base for all deployments. This ensures automated verification of correctness before deployment. The process reduces the risk of errors and makes easier roll back of problematic deployments.

DevOps vs GitOps: Main Goal 

Both GitOps and DevOps have the same goal of increasing collaboration and efficiency. However, the two methodologies approach this objective in different ways. For example, GitOps relies on Git for source control and management, using code reviews and pull requests to ensure quality. DevOps, in contrast, stresses integration and continuous testing, as well as communication between groups or teams.

GitOps vs DevOps: Accuracy

GitOps is a branch of Development Operations where application codes and infrastructure are managed via version control tools such as Git. The main benefit of this methodology is accuracy. With all changes monitored and recorded, it becomes easier to rollback or identify updates that may have caused an issue.

In comparison, DevOps methods may not have as robust a tracking system for changes made to infrastructure. Ultimately, both approaches have their strengths and can coexist. However, for maximum efficiency and accuracy, including GitOps aspects within your DevOps strategy is advisable.

GitOps vs DevOps: Flexibility

When it boils down to versatility, each method has its pros and cons. GitOps relies on version control systems, which ensures easy change monitoring and quick roll back when necessary. However, this also limits the workflow on what they can do within the version control system. Since DevOps isn’t limited to one system, it provides better flexibility in terms of processes and tools.

DevOps Vs. GitOps – Which Is a Better Model?

Both GitOps and DevOps are becoming more and more popular for adopting new methodologies for improved software development processes and making deployment more efficient and quicker. As mentioned above, the difference between the two approaches largely boils down to the tools used, but the result is more or less the same in terms of the final benefits. 

Deciding which philosophy is the right one for your company or determining which one is “better” will depend on the requirements and needs of your organization.

Situations where a company might adopt the GitOps approach are when there’s a need for more reliable and faster deployment. Also, organizations that prioritize disaster recovery capabilities and security can use GitOps because this approach allows access control to only a particular group of individuals who assess and approve changes before deployment. Also, there’s a record of every change made to productions. Moreover, it lets you easily roll back to an earlier state of your development.

The DevOps approach is more suited for large companies with multiple teams, as it emphasizes collaboration among operations and development teams and improves communication. DevOps allows the company to customize its deployment process using different tools. Also, it has been in use for a longer period, which means better resources and support.

GitOps isn’t a replacement for Development Operations, as the continuous improvement process still depends on DevOps tools. However, it can improve the efficiency of the DevOps team thanks to continuous delivery processes. Using Kubernetes-native commands and mechanisms along with standard source code principles, GitOps doesn’t require developers to change how they work,  ensuring a seamless implementation process.

The ideal situation would be to integrate GitOps so it works in conjunction with your DevOps approach. 

Does GitOps Take the Place of DevOps?

GitOps isn’t necessarily replacing or will ever replace DevOps. It’s a methodology to implement DevOps using best practices. The approach allows the development team to use Git as an SSOT for application deployment and IaC. 

Although GitOps is gaining momentum in offering better collaboration, accuracy, security, and other benefits, it can’t entirely replace DevOps. Why? DevOps is a deep-rooted methodology that many organizations have adopted.

Additionally, it allows a range of technologies and tools to serve each organization’s needs. GitOps is a new methodology that’s still evolving. It leverages DevOps practice and philosophy to make work faster, easier for the Development Operations team.

Final Words

DevOps and GitOps are both vital concepts in the software development sphere. However, they’ve some key differences. Understanding these distinctions is necessary if you wish to use either methodology successfully. Check the above-mentioned GitOps vs DevOps differences to get a good grasp of each methodology. 

Also, you must consider many other factors when deciding which philosophy to use. A little bit of creative thinking and a pragmatic approach will let you make the right choice for your career or business.

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