GitHub Actions vs Jenkins: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for GitHub Actions and Jenkins side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
GitHub Actions
Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
Best for you if:
- • You want native GitHub integration
Jenkins
Automate builds, deployments, and software projects
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (GitHub Actions requires payment)
| At a Glance | GitHub Actions | Jenkins |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | DevOps Testing & QA | DevOps Testing & QA |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 1,147 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | macOS runner minutes cost 10x more than Linux ($0.062/min vs $0.006/min). | n/a |
Choose GitHub Actions or Jenkins?
Choose GitHub Actions if
- You want native GitHub integration
- You want free for public repos
Choose Jenkins if
- You want a fully free tool (GitHub Actions requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want huge plugin ecosystem
In-Depth Analysis
GitHub Actions
Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
GitHub Actions is free for public repositories and includes 2,000 minutes/month on the free plan, enough for most individual developers and small open-source projects.
Watch out
macOS runner minutes cost 10x more than Linux ($0.062/min vs $0.006/min).
Strengths
- Pro: Native GitHub integration
- Pro: Free for public repos
- Pro: Huge marketplace
Weaknesses
- Con: GitHub lock-in
- Con: Complex debugging
Key features
Jenkins
Automate builds, deployments, and software projects
Jenkins offers an incredibly generous pricing model, being entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open source
- Pro: Huge plugin ecosystem
- Pro: Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Maintenance required
Key features
Plans and prices: GitHub Actions vs Jenkins
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Actions |
| github.com/features/actions read Oct 2, 2026 |
| Jenkins |
| jenkins.io read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on GitHub Actions pricing and Jenkins pricing.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Actions
- Choose if you want automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository
Jenkins
- Choose if you want automate builds, deployments, and software projects
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Jenkins has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,147 reviews); GitHub Actions has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do GitHub Actions and Jenkins compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Jenkins has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,147 reviews); GitHub Actions has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are GitHub Actions and Jenkins used for?
GitHub Actions: Automate CI/CD, testing, and deployment directly from your repository. Jenkins: Automate builds, deployments, and software projects.
What does GitHub Actions cost vs Jenkins?
GitHub Actions has no public paid-plan price on file. Jenkins is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between GitHub Actions and Jenkins?
GitHub Actions's main strength: native GitHub integration. Jenkins's main strength: free and open source.