Blacksmith alternatives
6 products compared · Updated November 4, 2026
The short answer
For teams that want a drop-in GitHub Actions replacement with faster runners and lower costs, Blacksmith is the strongest option. If you need a full DevSecOps platform with built-in CI/CD and security, GitLab is the best fit. For teams that want to run CI on their own hardware with flexible orchestration, Buildkite is the top choice.
Your shortlist, at a glance
Read the comparisons ↓
GitHub ProjectsFrom $0 (Free plan)Teams already on GitHub that want lightweight issue tracking and project boards without adopting a separate tool.- BBuildkite$30/user/mo + usageEngineering teams that want to keep CI on their own hardware while getting flexible pipeline orchestration and test intelligence.
CircleCIFree tier. Credits froTeams that need a CI/CD platform beyond GitHub Actions, with flexible resource classes and credit-based usage billing.- GGitLabFrom $12/user/moTeams that want a single platform for planning, source control, CI/CD, and security, especially those with compliance requirements.
- TTravis CINot publishedTeams that need a flexible, self-hostable CI/CD platform with support for legacy version control systems and on-premise deployment.
JenkinsNot publishedTeams that want a free, self-hosted CI/CD server with extensive plugin support and the ability to run builds on their own hardware.
About Blacksmith and its alternatives
Blacksmith is a drop-in replacement for GitHub Actions runners. It promises 2x faster CI, 4x faster cache downloads, and 40x faster Docker builds on bare metal gaming CPUs. It also includes an observability console for spotting failing jobs and debugging flaky tests. Pricing starts at $0.004 per minute for Ubuntu x64, with 3,000 free minutes per month.
When comparing alternatives, weigh pricing structure carefully. Some tools use per-minute or credit-based billing, others charge per user. Consider which version control systems you use, whether you need on-premise or self-hosted options, and what integrations matter. Check support levels and contract terms, especially for enterprise plans.
Explore the alternatives
- From $0 (Free plan)
1.GitHub Projects
Best for: Teams already on GitHub that want lightweight issue tracking and project boards without adopting a separate tool.
- Pricing
- From $0 (Free plan)
- Category
- Productivity & Project Management
GitHub Projects is a project management layer built into GitHub, not a CI runner. Choose it when you want to plan and track work next to your code without leaving GitHub, and you don't need Blacksmith's faster CI execution.
Where it is strong
- Native integration with GitHub repos and issues
- Free tier includes unlimited public/private repos
- AI-powered Copilot included in Enterprise plan
Where it falls short
- Not a CI runner. No compute for GitHub Actions
- Limited project management features compared to dedicated tools
- Pricing:
- Free for individuals and organizations. Team is $4 per user/month. Enterprise is $21 per user/month.
- Switching from Blacksmith:
- Moving from Blacksmith to GitHub Projects means giving up faster CI execution and switching to GitHub's default runners, which are slower and cost more per minute.
- B$30/user/mo + usage
2.Buildkite
Best for: Engineering teams that want to keep CI on their own hardware while getting flexible pipeline orchestration and test intelligence.
- Pricing
- $30/user/mo + usage
- Category
- Other
Buildkite is a programmable CI/CD platform that lets you run builds on your own infrastructure or on Buildkite-hosted agents. Choose it over Blacksmith if you need full control over your compute, want to orchestrate complex pipelines with dynamic steps, or require advanced test analytics and flaky test management.
Where it is strong
- Run agents on your own infrastructure for full control
- Dynamic pipelines and flexible orchestration primitives
- Built-in test analytics with flaky test isolation
Where it falls short
- Pricing per active user can add up for large teams
- Self-hosted setup requires managing your own agents
- Pricing:
- Free plan includes up to 5 users, 10 concurrent jobs, and 2,000 Linux vCPU minutes per month. Pro is $30 per active user per month, with hosted agents billed per vCPU minute: Linux at $0.004, Windows at $0.008, and Mac at $0.02.
- Switching from Blacksmith:
- Moving from Blacksmith means replacing the runs-on directive with Buildkite agents and adapting your pipeline configuration to Buildkite's pipeline YAML format.
- Free tier. Credits fro
3.CircleCI
Best for: Teams that need a CI/CD platform beyond GitHub Actions, with flexible resource classes and credit-based usage billing.
- Pricing
- Free tier. Credits fro
- Category
- Developer Tools
CircleCI is a general-purpose CI/CD platform that works with GitHub, GitLab, and other version control systems, while Blacksmith is specifically a drop-in replacement for GitHub Actions runners. If your team uses GitLab or needs a broader CI/CD tool with flexible resource classes and credit-based billing, CircleCI is the choice. It also offers Smarter Testing features like test selection and flaky test detection that Blacksmith doesn't mention.
Where it is strong
- Supports GitHub, GitLab, and other VCS integrations
- Smarter Testing features: test selection, dynamic splitting, flaky test detection
- Wide range of resource classes including GPU and macOS M4 Pro
Where it falls short
- Credit-based pricing can be complex to estimate
- No built-in observability console like Blacksmith's for CI logs
- Pricing:
- Free plan includes up to 6,000 build minutes and 5 active users. Performance plan starts with 30,000 credits included free, then $15 per additional 25,000 credits. Scale plan is custom-priced and billed annually.
- Switching from Blacksmith:
- Moving from Blacksmith to CircleCI means rewriting your GitHub Actions workflows into CircleCI config, which is a different format and not a drop-in replacement.
- GFrom $12/user/mo
4.GitLab
Best for: Teams that want a single platform for planning, source control, CI/CD, and security, especially those with compliance requirements.
GitLab is a full DevSecOps platform that includes source control, CI/CD, security scanning, and AI features in one place. Choose it over Blacksmith if you want to manage the entire software lifecycle, not just GitHub Actions runners, and need built-in compliance and governance.
Where it is strong
- Includes source control, CI/CD, and security scanning in one platform.
- Free tier with 400 compute minutes per month.
- AI features via GitLab Credits add-on.
Where it falls short
- Compute minutes are limited on lower tiers. Extra minutes cost more.
- Not a drop-in replacement for GitHub Actions. You'd migrate pipelines.
- Pricing:
- Free tier includes 5 users and 400 compute minutes per month. Premium is $12 per user/month with 10,000 compute minutes. Ultimate is $24 per user/month with 50,000 compute minutes. GitLab Dedicated pricing is not published.
- Switching from Blacksmith:
- Moving from Blacksmith to GitLab means migrating your CI/CD pipelines and potentially your source control, since GitLab is a full platform, not just a runner replacement.
- TNot published
5.Travis CI
Best for: Teams that need a flexible, self-hostable CI/CD platform with support for legacy version control systems and on-premise deployment.
- Pricing
- Not published
- Category
- Other
Travis CI is a long-standing CI/CD platform that supports a wide range of languages and deployment targets, with both cloud and on-premise options. Choose it over Blacksmith if you need a more traditional, flexible CI tool with enterprise features like Perforce/Subversion support and premium VMs.
Where it is strong
- Supports on-premise and private cloud deployment
- Handles Perforce and Subversion CI/CD
- Offers premium VMs and custom Linux images
Where it falls short
- Pricing details are not listed publicly
- No built-in GitHub Actions compatibility like Blacksmith
- Pricing:
- Pricing is not published on the site.
- Not published
6.Jenkins
Best for: Teams that want a free, self-hosted CI/CD server with extensive plugin support and the ability to run builds on their own hardware.
- Pricing
- Not published
- Category
- Developer Tools
Jenkins is a self-hosted, open-source automation server that you install and run on your own infrastructure. Choose it over Blacksmith if you need full control over your CI/CD environment, want to avoid per-minute cloud runner costs, or require deep customization through its 2300+ plugin ecosystem.
Where it is strong
- Free and open source, no per-minute charges
- Hundreds of plugins for nearly any tool or workflow
- Runs on your own servers, giving full control over hardware and security
Where it falls short
- You must manage, scale, and maintain the server yourself
- No built-in observability or log search like Blacksmith's console
- Pricing:
- Pricing is not published on the site.
See more comparisons in Developer Tools alternatives.
FAQ
Questions about Blacksmith alternatives
Is Blacksmith a drop-in replacement for GitHub Actions?
Yes. Blacksmith is designed as a drop-in replacement. You change the runs-on line in your workflow to use Blacksmith's runners. It works with existing GitHub Actions workflows and caches.
How does Blacksmith pricing compare to GitHub Actions?
Blacksmith claims up to 67% total cost savings versus GitHub. It is 33% cheaper per minute and 2x faster, so you pay for fewer minutes. Ubuntu x64 is $0.004 per minute, while GitHub's standard runner is $0.008 per minute.
Can I use Blacksmith with GitLab or other CI systems?
No. Blacksmith is specifically for GitHub Actions. If you use GitLab, consider GitLab's built-in CI/CD or CircleCI, which supports multiple version control systems.
What are the best self-hosted CI/CD alternatives?
Jenkins is a free, open-source server you run yourself. Buildkite lets you run agents on your own hardware while using their orchestration. Both give you full control over compute and avoid per-minute cloud runner costs.
Do any of these alternatives offer free tiers?
Yes. Blacksmith offers 3,000 free minutes per month. GitLab has a free tier with 400 compute minutes. CircleCI includes 6,000 build minutes. Buildkite offers 2,000 Linux vCPU minutes. Jenkins is free and open source.
Last updated November 4, 2026.