What is a CI Tool?
A Continuous Integration (CI) tool automates building, testing, and publishing software. It integrates with your version control system (VCS) to fetch the latest changes and manage build pipelines through a central server and build agents, allowing multiple pipelines to run concurrently.
Types of CI/CD Tools
Open-Source vs. Commercial
Open-source CI tools are free but rely on community support for bug fixes and feature updates. Commercial tools offer technical support and regular updates, often with a free tier for limited use.
Cloud-Based vs. Self-Hosted
Cloud-based CI tools (used by 51% of developers) provide immediate access and no maintenance, while self-hosted options give control over deployment but require managing installation and updates.
Integrations
CI/CD tools must integrate with various stages of the software development process, including VCS, issue trackers, and deployment environments. Some tools are part of existing ecosystems or allow flexibility with plugins and APIs.
Configuration
Pipelines can be configured via scripts or a UI. Scripts support configuration-as-code for version control, while UIs are user-friendly for those new to CI/CD.
Most Popular CI/CD Tools in 2024
According to the JetBrains Developer Ecosystem Report 2023, here are the 7 most popular CI/CD tools based on responses from over 26,000 developers worldwide.
1. GitHub Actions: Most popular for personal projects. Initiates workflows from GitHub events.
- Pricing: Free for public repos, charges for additional hosted runner minutes.
2. Jenkins: Widely used open-source tool with extensive community support and plugins.
- Pricing: Free, costs for infrastructure.
3. GitLab CI: Integrates with GitLab and other Git servers. Allows self-hosted runners.
- Pricing: Free tier includes 400 compute minutes/month. Paid tiers start at $29/user/month.
4. Azure DevOps: Supports cloud-hosted and on-premises agents, integrates with major cloud providers.
- Pricing: Free for open-source projects. Paid plans start at $6/user/month.
5. CircleCI: Cloud-based, supports GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket with a real-time UI.
- Pricing: Free tier includes 6,000 build minutes/month. Paid tiers start at $15/month for 5 users.
6. Bitbucket Pipelines: Add-on to Bitbucket Cloud for automated builds, tests, and deployments.
- Pricing: Free tier includes 50 build minutes/month. Paid tiers start at $15/month for 5 users.
7. AWS CodePipeline/CodeStar: Integrates with AWS services and supports third-party locations.
- Pricing: One free pipeline/month with AWS Free Tier.
Choosing a CI/CD Tool
When selecting a CI/CD tool, consider current and future project needs. Ensure support for your VCS, programming languages, build platforms, and testing frameworks. Evaluate the tool’s flexibility, integration options, and customization capabilities.
Custom CI Tools
Custom CI tools offer tailored solutions but require ongoing development and maintenance. They are often chosen for specific team needs and complex system integration.
Improving CI/CD Processes
CI/CD tools automate and streamline builds, tests, and deployments, providing rapid feedback and improving code quality. They help scale build capacity and integrate with other developer tools to deliver high-quality software efficiently.
Conclusion
Automated CI/CD processes enhance software development by providing quick feedback and improving code quality. When choosing a CI/CD tool, compare popular options against your specific requirements and consider future project evolution. Look for comprehensive language support, performance, and integration capabilities.