CircleCI vs GitHub Actions: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of CircleCI and GitHub Actions. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: GitHub Actions starts at $4/mo, making it $11/mo cheaper than CircleCI ($15/mo). CircleCI offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
CircleCI vs GitHub Actions: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | CircleCI | GitHub Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $4/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 3 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
GitHub Actions is the more affordable option, starting at $4/mo compared to CircleCI's $15/mo. Both are Dev Tools with 6 combined pricing plans and 26 features compared.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Dev Tools needs.
| Pricing Plans |  CircleCI Try it free |  GitHub Actions Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest | Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Performance $15/month | Team $4/monthCheapest $0 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Scale Custom pricing | EnterprisePopular $21/monthCheapest $2 / year Includes
|
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GitHub Actions
GitHub Actions offers a free plan, starts at $11/mo lower ($4/mo vs $15/mo).
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: GitHub Actions
Try GitHub Actions freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose CircleCI if:
- •You prefer CircleCI's free tier features—features
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—CircleCI offers negotiated terms for large deployments
- •CircleCI's usage-based pricing lets you match exact team size without tier gaps
Choose GitHub Actions if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—GitHub Actions starts at $4/mo, saving $11/mo compared to CircleCI at $15/mo
- •You prefer GitHub Actions's free tier features—Unlimited public/private repositories, Dependabot security and version updates
- •You want more features built-in—GitHub Actions offers 26 additional features across its plans
Both CircleCI and GitHub Actions offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: CircleCI includes multiple features, while GitHub Actions includes 6 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: CircleCI vs GitHub Actions
Which is cheaper, CircleCI or GitHub Actions?
How many pricing plans does CircleCI have vs GitHub Actions?
Does CircleCI or GitHub Actions offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for CircleCI or GitHub Actions?
What is the most popular GitHub Actions plan?
Does CircleCI or GitHub Actions offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do CircleCI and GitHub Actions compare for Dev Tools?
Sources
- CircleCI Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- GitHub Actions Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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