GSSoC 2026
3-month structured open source program with mentorship, prizes, and global recognition.
- +50,000+ participants worldwide
- +3-month structured program with defined milestones
- +Dedicated mentor assigned to every contributor
- +Cash prizes up to 50,000 INR for top contributors
- +Physical swag and digital and physical badges
- +Official certificate from GirlScript Foundation
- +Free certificates from top tech partner companies
- +Letters of Recommendation for outstanding contributors
- +Reservation for female participants
- +6 roles beyond contributor
- +AI / Agents for India track
- +Real-time leaderboard
- +Vetted projects with Good First Issues
Hacktoberfest
1-month global celebration of open source contribution held every October.
- +Open to everyone worldwide
- +1 month (October)
- +Contribute to any opted-in open source repository
- +Digital badge for contributors who complete the challenge
- +Celebrates the global open source community
- +No specific project or role requirements
- +Run annually since 2014 by DigitalOcean
- +Large global community of participants each year
Side-by-Side Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do GSSoC and Hacktoberfest in the same year?
Yes. GSSoC runs from May to August and Hacktoberfest runs in October. The programs do not overlap, so you can participate in both within the same year. Many open source contributors participate in GSSoC during the summer and Hacktoberfest in October to stay active in the community throughout the year.
What certificates does GSSoC provide?
GSSoC 2026 provides all participants with an official certificate from GirlScript Foundation and free certificates from top tech partner companies. Outstanding contributors receive Letters of Recommendation. Hacktoberfest provides a digital badge to contributors who complete the required pull requests during October.
What rewards do GSSoC top contributors receive?
Top contributors on the GSSoC 2026 leaderboard receive cash prizes of up to 50,000 INR, in addition to physical swag, digital and physical badges, partner certificates, and Letters of Recommendation. The leaderboard updates in real time throughout the program.
Which program has more participants?
Hacktoberfest attracts hundreds of thousands of contributors each October due to its global reach and low barrier to entry. GSSoC has 50,000+ participants per edition and is specifically recognised as the world's largest structured open source program. Both programs have large, active global communities.