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CircleCI vs Vault by HashiCorp: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of CircleCI and Vault by HashiCorp. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Vault by HashiCorp starts at $1.58/mo, making it $13/mo cheaper than CircleCI ($15/mo). CircleCI offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

CircleCI vs Vault by HashiCorp: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureCircleCIVault by HashiCorp
Starting Price$15/mo$1.58/mo
Number of Plans33
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelusage-basedopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Vault by HashiCorp is the more affordable option, starting at $1.58/mo compared to CircleCI's $15/mo. Both are Dev Tools with 6 combined pricing plans and 9 features compared.

CircleCI stands out with a free plan for getting started. CircleCI uses usage-based pricing while Vault by HashiCorp uses open-source pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

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
CircleCI
Try it free
Vault by HashiCorp
Vault by HashiCorp
Try it free
Tier 1
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Start with Free
Development
$446/month
$446 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Development
Tier 2
Performance
$15/month
Start with Performance
Essentials
$2/monthCheapest
$2 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Essentials
Tier 3
Scale
Custom pricing
Start with Scale
Standard
$2/monthCheapest
$2 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Standard

Swipe to compare plans →

CircleCI

Continuous integration and delivery platform

View all CircleCI plans

Vault by HashiCorp

Secrets management, encryption, and identity-based access

View all Vault by HashiCorp plans

Which Should You Choose?

Choose CircleCI if:

  • You need a free plan with core features—CircleCI offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—CircleCI offers negotiated terms for large deployments
  • You need predictable billing — CircleCI's usage-based model avoids surprise overages

Choose Vault by HashiCorp if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Vault by HashiCorp starts at $1.58/mo, saving $13.42/mo compared to CircleCI at $15/mo
  • You want more features built-in—Vault by HashiCorp offers 9 additional features across its plans
  • Vault by HashiCorp's 3-tier open-source structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning

CircleCI offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Vault by HashiCorp requires paid subscription from the start. This gives CircleCI a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow CircleCI's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $15/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Vault by HashiCorp's tiering starting at $1.58/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. CircleCI's 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Vault by HashiCorp's 3 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, CircleCI is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions: CircleCI vs Vault by HashiCorp

Which is cheaper, CircleCI or Vault by HashiCorp?
As of March 2026, Vault by HashiCorp starts at a lower price point. CircleCI starts at $15/mo while Vault by HashiCorp starts at $1.58/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does CircleCI have vs Vault by HashiCorp?
CircleCI offers 3 pricing plans, while Vault by HashiCorp offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does CircleCI or Vault by HashiCorp offer a free plan?
CircleCI offers a free plan, while Vault by HashiCorp does not. If budget is a concern, CircleCI lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for CircleCI or Vault by HashiCorp?
Both CircleCI and Vault by HashiCorp offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
Does CircleCI or Vault by HashiCorp offer custom enterprise pricing?
CircleCI offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Vault by HashiCorp lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do CircleCI and Vault by HashiCorp use?
CircleCI uses a usage-based pricing model, while Vault by HashiCorp uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do CircleCI and Vault by HashiCorp compare for Dev Tools?
Both CircleCI and Vault by HashiCorp are Dev Tools. CircleCI offers 3 plans starting at $15/mo, while Vault by HashiCorp offers 3 plans starting at $1.58/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Dev Tools needs.

Sources

  1. CircleCI Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Vault by HashiCorp Official PricingVendor pricing page

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