GitLab Duo vs ThinkReview: Which AI Code Review Tool is Right for You in 2025?
GitLab Duo vs ThinkReview: Which AI Code Review Tool is Right for You?
Compare two leading AI-powered code review solutions for GitLab developers
For GitLab users, two prominent AI code review solutions have emerged: GitLab Duo, an integrated AI suite within GitLab, and ThinkReview, a specialized Chrome extension for merge request reviews. With ThinkReview's v1.3.0 release introducing Smart Follow-Up Questions and AI-generated MR comments, here's how they stack up.
What is GitLab Duo?
GitLab Duo is GitLab's comprehensive AI-powered suite integrated directly into the platform. It enhances every stage of the DevSecOps lifecycle.
Key Features
Code Intelligence
- Real-time code completion and generation
- Chat interface for code questions
- Repository X-Ray for codebase analysis
Code Review Automation
- Automated reviews on every merge request
- Security vulnerability detection
- Performance optimization suggestions
Integration & Flexibility
- Multiple AI model options (GPT-5, open-source models)
- GitLab Knowledge Graph integration
- Amazon Q integration for task automation
Pricing
- Part of GitLab Ultimate tier
- Add-on option: $39-99/user/month
- Annual contracts typically required
What is ThinkReview?
ThinkReview is a lightweight Chrome extension powered by frontier models. It provides instant AI-powered code analysis directly within your GitLab interface.
Key Features
Core Capabilities
- Auto-detection of GitLab merge request pages
- Instant AI reviews in seconds
- Security analysis and code quality checks
- AI-generated merge request summaries
v1.3.0 Features
Smart Follow-Up Questions: Generates 3-5 contextually relevant questions after each review:
- "Are there any potential security concerns?"
- "What are the performance implications?"
- "Can you generate a comment summarizing this MR?"
Generate MR Comments: Transform AI insights into shareable team comments with professional formatting.
Local AI with Ollama (v1.4.0+)
ThinkReview supports local AI code reviews using Ollama for complete privacy and offline capability.
Benefits:
- Complete Privacy: Code never leaves your machine
- No API Costs: Free local inference with unlimited usage
- Offline Capability: Works without internet connection
- Multiple Models: Choose from specialized code review models
Quick Setup:
1. Install Ollama from ollama.ai/download
2. Pull a model: ollama pull codellama (or qwen2.5-coder:7b for better quality)
3. Run setup script: ./scripts/start-ollama-with-cors.sh
4. Configure in extension settings: Select "Local Ollama" and choose your model
Recommended Models:
- codellama (4GB) - Fast and efficient
- qwen2.5-coder:7b (5GB) - Strong code analysis
- deepseek-coder:6.7b (4GB) - Excellent code understanding
See the Ollama Setup Guide for detailed instructions.
Pricing
Free Tier: Full features including Smart Follow-Up Questions and Generate MR Comments - $0
Pro Tier: Unlimited reviews and conversations - $6.99/month or $69.99/year (17% savings)
Local Ollama: Free (no subscription required when using local AI)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Integration & Setup
GitLab Duo: Native integration, works across all GitLab instances, requires Ultimate subscription or add-on.
ThinkReview: Simple Chrome extension installation, works with gitlab.com and self-hosted instances, ready in minutes.
Winner: ThinkReview for ease of setup; GitLab Duo for native integration
Code Review Capabilities
GitLab Duo: Automated reviews on every MR, deep CI/CD integration, can block merges, multiple AI models.
ThinkReview: Instant on-demand reviews, Smart Follow-Up Questions, conversational interface, AI-generated shareable comments.
Winner: Tie - GitLab Duo excels at automation; ThinkReview excels at interactive reviews
Unique Features
GitLab Duo: Repository X-Ray, IDE integration, Amazon Q integration, multi-model selection, GitLab Knowledge Graph.
ThinkReview: Smart Follow-Up Questions (industry-first), Generate MR Comments, local Ollama support for privacy, powered by frontier models, lightweight interface.
Winner: GitLab Duo for breadth; ThinkReview for innovative review-specific features
Cost-Effectiveness
GitLab Duo: $39-99/user/month, requires team commitment, annual contracts.
ThinkReview: Free tier with full features, Pro at $6.99/user/month, no team minimum.
Winner: ThinkReview by a significant margin
AI Quality & Accuracy
GitLab Duo: Multiple model options, trained on GitLab workflows, extensive enterprise testing.
ThinkReview: Powered by frontier models, fine-tuned for GitLab MRs, optimized temperature settings.
Winner: Tie - Both use state-of-the-art AI models
User Experience
GitLab Duo: Seamless GitLab UI integration, consistent experience, learning curve for full utilization.
ThinkReview: Clean collapsible interface, intuitive clickable questions, minimal learning curve, focused on MR workflow.
Winner: ThinkReview for simplicity; GitLab Duo for platform consistency
Use Case Recommendations
Choose GitLab Duo if you:
- Already have GitLab Ultimate or plan to upgrade
- Need AI across the entire DevSecOps lifecycle
- Want automated reviews in CI/CD pipeline
- Require self-hosted AI for compliance
- Need repository-wide analysis and IDE integration
- Have budget for enterprise tools ($99+/user/month)
Choose ThinkReview if you:
- Want to start quickly and affordably
- Need a lightweight tool focused on MR reviews
- Value interactive, exploratory reviews
- Want to try without team-wide commitment
- Appreciate Smart Follow-Up Questions
- Need shareable comments for team collaboration
- Have budget constraints (free or $6.99/month)
- Use Chrome/Chromium browsers
- Require complete privacy with local AI (Ollama support)
The Hybrid Approach
These tools aren't mutually exclusive. Many teams use both:
- GitLab Duo for automated security scanning and CI/CD integration
- ThinkReview for interactive, in-depth human-led reviews
This leverages GitLab Duo's automation while benefiting from ThinkReview's superior interactive experience.
Why Smart Follow-Up Questions Matter
ThinkReview's Smart Follow-Up Questions revolutionize code review by:
1. Reducing cognitive load - AI suggests relevant questions
2. Encouraging thorough reviews - Easy one-click exploration
3. Learning tool - New developers learn what to ask
4. Time-saving - One-click vs typing questions
5. Visual tracking - Checkmarks show explored areas
Pricing Comparison
| Feature | GitLab Duo | ThinkReview |
|---------|------------|-------------|
| Starting Price | $39-99/user/month | Free |
| Pro Pricing | Included in Ultimate | $6.99/month |
| Free Tier | No | Yes (full features) |
| Team Minimum | Usually required | No minimum |
| Contract | Annual typical | Monthly or annual |
The Verdict
For Individual Developers & Small Teams: ThinkReview wins. Free tier covers most needs, Pro tier is affordable, and Smart Follow-Up Questions provide unique value.
For Large Enterprises on GitLab Ultimate: GitLab Duo makes sense as it's included. Consider ThinkReview as a complement for interactive reviews.
For Teams Evaluating AI Code Review: Start with ThinkReview's free tier. Risk-free, minimal setup, helps understand value before enterprise investments.
For Security-Critical Projects: Both offer self-hosted options. GitLab Duo's self-hosted AI provides maximum control, while ThinkReview's Ollama integration offers complete privacy with code never leaving your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both tools together? Yes! Many teams use GitLab Duo for automation and ThinkReview for interactive reviews.
Which is better for beginners? ThinkReview is more beginner-friendly with simple installation and intuitive interface.
Does ThinkReview work with self-hosted GitLab? Yes, works with both gitlab.com and self-hosted instances.
How accurate are the AI reviews? Both use state-of-the-art models (GPT-5 for Duo, frontier models for ThinkReview) and provide highly accurate reviews.
Can I use ThinkReview with local AI? Yes! ThinkReview supports Ollama for local AI reviews. Your code never leaves your machine, perfect for sensitive projects. See the Ollama Setup Guide for setup instructions.
Conclusion
Your choice should align with budget, existing infrastructure, feature priorities, and team size. For most developers, start with ThinkReview. The free tier lets you experience AI-powered reviews immediately, and the $6.99/month Pro tier is justified by time savings alone.
For enterprises on GitLab Ultimate, use GitLab Duo for automation, but consider adding ThinkReview for developers who want more interactive review experiences.
Try ThinkReview Today
🚀 Install ThinkReview from the Chrome Web Store
📚 Learn More: thinkreview.dev
💡 Latest Release: v1.4.0 release notes for Ollama local AI support, Smart Follow-Up Questions, and Generate MR Comments
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Last Updated: October 19, 2025 | ThinkReview v1.4.0 | GitLab Duo 18.4