GitHub Actions provides CI/CD directly inside GitHub. Below is a curated list of 20 alternative CI/CD platforms that offer free tiers for public/open‑source repositories, allowing you to run builds, tests, and deployments without cost.
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Fully integrated CI/CD that runs on GitLab.com (free tier) or self‑hosted GitLab. Unlimited pipelines for public projects with built‑in Docker registry.
One of the earliest cloud CI services. Free for public repositories with generous build minutes and easy YAML configuration.
Fast, container‑based CI platform. Free tier includes 2,500 build minutes per month for public projects and supports Docker, macOS, and Windows executors.
Part of Azure DevOps. Offers unlimited minutes for public repos, supports Linux, Windows, macOS, and integrates with GitHub, Azure Repos, Bitbucket.
Integrated CI/CD for Bitbucket Cloud. Free tier provides 500 build minutes per month for public repositories with Docker support.
Container‑native, open‑source CI that runs as a self‑hosted service. Free for public repos when self‑hosted; also offered as a managed SaaS with a free tier.
Highly extensible, open‑source automation server. Free to self‑host; unlimited builds for public projects when you provide your own infrastructure.
Hybrid CI that runs builds on your own agents. Free for open‑source projects with unlimited builds and 3,000 build minutes per month.
Windows‑focused CI service. Free for public repositories with unlimited build minutes on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Fast, parallel CI platform. Free tier includes 2,000 build minutes per month for public repos and supports Docker, macOS, and Linux.
Pipeline‑as‑code CI/CD with a visual editor. Free for public repositories with 1,000 build minutes per month and Docker support.
While GitHub Actions itself is the reference, using self‑hosted runners lets you run unlimited jobs for free on public repos, effectively turning GitHub Actions into a DIY CI platform.
Community‑maintained free runner pools (e.g., actions‑runner‑pool) that provide extra concurrency for public projects at no cost.
GitHub’s own free tier gives unlimited minutes for public repositories, making it a baseline alternative to any external CI.
Enterprise‑grade CI features (e.g., self‑hosted runners, secret management) are free for verified open‑source projects.
For educational open‑source projects, GitHub Classroom provides free CI minutes via GitHub Actions.
Open‑source maintainers receiving GitHub Sponsors can earn additional CI credits for free.
Organizations with public repositories enjoy unlimited CI minutes across all members.
A marketplace of community‑contributed actions that are free to use in any public repo, extending CI capabilities without cost.
Leverage free Codespaces for CI workloads on public repos, combining development environments with CI pipelines.