CI/CD · true cost · Updated September 2026
The true cost of CI/CD
What you'll actually pay. Of the 7 CI/CD tools we track, 2 price on a basis this column cannot carry, 3 charge usage overages. Here's every tool's entry price and its hidden-cost flags — each linked to its sourced record.
The hidden-cost picture
- Not priced monthly: 2 publish a figure on another basis — usage rates, non-USD, or annual-only.
- Usage overages: 3 charge for going over plan limits.
- Cheapest published: GitHub Actions from $4/mo.
- No overage or setup fee: CircleCI, Travis CI.
As of · re-verified with each catalog refresh
CI/CD — entry price & hidden-cost flags
| Tool | Entry price | Usage overages | Setup fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Actions | $4/mo | Yes | — |
| CircleCI | $15/mo | — | — |
| Travis CI | $15/mo | — | — |
| GitLab | $29/mo | Yes | — |
| Buildkite | $30/mo | Yes | — |
| Harness CI | quote-only | — | — |
| Semaphore | quote-only | — | — |
Prices and fee terms re-verified with each catalog refresh. Last catalog update 2026-09-02. "Quote-only" means the vendor publishes no self-serve price.
Frequently asked questions
Does CI/CD have hidden fees?
Across the 7 CI/CD tools we track: 2 price on a basis this column cannot carry, 3 charge usage overages. As of 2026-09-02.
What is the cheapest CI/CD with published pricing?
GitHub Actions, from $4/mo (note: usage overages apply). Verified 2026-09-02.
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