GitHub Actions vs Jenkins

GitHub Actions is tightly integrated into GitHub repositories, while Jenkins is a standalone server.

Which to pick

Integrated CI/CD on GitHub
CI/CD built into GitHub
Integrations with Node.js, Python or Ruby (on GitHub Actions' list, not Jenkins')

Extensible CI/CD automation server
A free, open-source tool
Integrations with Windows, Linux or macOS (on Jenkins' list, not GitHub Actions')

What it is: GitHub Actions:GitHub Actions automates CI/CD and other workflows directly from GitHub repositories.; Jenkins:Jenkins is an open-source automation server for building, testing and deploying software via CI/CD pipelines.
Best for: GitHub Actions:Integrated CI/CD on GitHub; Jenkins:Extensible CI/CD automation server
Who it’s for: GitHub Actions:Developers and teams using GitHub who need build, test, and deployment automation.; Jenkins:Developers and DevOps teams needing customizable CI/CD automation.
Pricing: GitHub Actions:Freemium; Jenkins:Open source
Plans: GitHub Actions:Free $0; Jenkins:—
Open source: GitHub Actions:—; Jenkins:Yes, 26,610 GitHub stars
Works with: GitHub Actions:Node.js, Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, Go, Rust, .NET; Jenkins:Java, Windows, Linux, macOS, Unix

Hosted runners. Run jobs on Linux, macOS, Windows, ARM, GPU, or containers using GitHub-provided VMs.
Matrix builds. Execute the same workflow across multiple OSes and runtime versions in parallel.
Secret store. Store encrypted secrets at repository, environment, or organization level.
Multi-container testing. Add docker-compose to workflows to test services together.
Event-driven triggers. Start workflows on any GitHub event, from pushes to issue comments.
Actions Marketplace. Discover and reuse community-built actions for common tasks.

Hundreds of plugins. Integrates with virtually any tool in the CI/CD toolchain through its plugin ecosystem.
Easy installation. Self-contained Java program with packages for Windows, Linux, macOS and Unix.
Web UI configuration. Set up and manage pipelines via a web interface with built-in help and error checks.
Distributed builds. Distribute work across multiple machines to speed up builds, tests and deployments.
Extensible architecture. Plugin-based design allows infinite customization and extension of functionality.
Community driven. Open-source project supported by a global community of contributors and users.

Is GitHub Actions or Jenkins free?+

GitHub Actions has a free plan and paid plans. Jenkins is free and open source.

Is GitHub Actions or Jenkins open source?+

Jenkins is open source (jenkinsci/jenkins on GitHub, MIT license). DevHunt has no public source repository on record for GitHub Actions.

Do GitHub Actions and Jenkins integrate with the same tools?+

Partly. Both list Java. GitHub Actions also lists Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP and 5 more; Jenkins also lists Windows, Linux, macOS and Unix.

GitHub Actions

Listed by DevHunt

Jenkins

Listed by DevHunt

Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.