# GitHub Actions review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/github-actions
Website: https://github.com/features/actions

CI/CD and workflow automation built into GitHub

GitHub Actions is the CI/CD and workflow automation service built into GitHub. It is free for public repositories, includes a set number of minutes on GitHub plans, and lets you host your own runners.

GitHub Actions runs workflows on events in a repository, such as pushes, pull requests and schedules. Jobs run on GitHub-hosted runners or on runners you host yourself. Workflow files live in the repository next to the code they build, so the pipeline is reviewed with the code.

GitHub Actions is free for public repositories, and its plan details list how many minutes private repositories receive. Self-hosted runners let jobs run on your own machines. Its workflows depend on GitHub, so teams that host code elsewhere need a different CI system. It suits teams already on GitHub who want CI without running a separate server.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web
- Price: Free for public repositories; included minutes on other plans
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Free for public repositories
- Self-hosted runners for your own machines

## Limits

- Workflows depend on GitHub
- Private repository minutes vary by plan

## Rankings

- #1 of 7 in [best CI/CD platforms](https://listme.name/best/ci-cd-platforms), score 92.0: The default CI for GitHub repositories, free for public repositories and with included minutes by plan. Its workflows depend on GitHub, so it does not help teams that host code elsewhere.

## Alternatives

- [GitLab](https://listme.name/software/gitlab), score 90.5
- [CircleCI](https://listme.name/software/circleci), score 87.0
- [Buildkite](https://listme.name/software/buildkite), score 85.5
- [Bitbucket Pipelines](https://listme.name/software/bitbucket-pipelines), score 84.0
- [Jenkins](https://listme.name/software/jenkins), score 83.5
- [Woodpecker CI](https://listme.name/software/woodpecker-ci), score 80.0