Jenkins is a self-hosted, highly customizable CI/CD platform with extensive plugin ecosystem, while GitHub Actions is a cloud-native CI/CD solution integrated directly into GitHub with simpler setup and lower operational overhead. Jenkins requires infrastructure management and expertise, whereas GitHub Actions offers faster onboarding with built-in GitHub integration.
Jenkins vs GitHub Actions — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Jenkins if you need maximum customization, already have on-premises infrastructure, use non-GitHub repositories, or require complex legacy integrations—it's the industry standard for enterprises with sophisticated CI/CD needs. Choose GitHub Actions if you're on GitHub, prioritize fast setup, want minimal ops overhead, or are a startup/small team—it offers superior out-of-the-box experience with 90% lower operational costs for typical small-to-medium teams.
Open-source automation server with extensive plugin ecosystem for CI/CD and infrastructure orchestration
Free CI/CD automation platform natively integrated with GitHub repositories.
Jenkins vs GitHub Actions — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Jenkins vs GitHub Actions with 157 attributes.
Monthly Infrastructure Cost (10-developer team)
Monthly Cost (5 Users, Mid-Volume Usage)
Setup Complexity (1-10, lower is easier)
Free Monthly CI/CD Minutes (Private Repos)
Configuration File Complexity (1-5 scale)
Monthly Cost (5 Private Repos, 100 builds/month)
Default Concurrent Jobs (Free/Base Tier)
Jenkins vs GitHub Actions — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Jenkins vs GitHub Actions.
Yes, Jenkins integrates with GitHub via the GitHub plugin, but requires manual setup including webhook configuration, token authentication, and plugin installation. GitHub Actions provides native integration with zero configuration—webhooks and repository access are automatic.
What's the total cost difference for a 10-developer team?
Jenkins costs approximately $1,200-1,500/month (server infrastructure, maintenance, 1-2 DevOps FTE labor). GitHub Actions costs $20-50/month (team plan + usage overages). Over 12 months, GitHub Actions saves $14,000-17,500. However, Jenkins has no per-user licensing, so costs flatten regardless of team growth beyond infrastructure.
Which supports more programming languages and frameworks?
Both support 50+ languages equally well (Python, Node.js, Java, Go, Rust, etc.). GitHub Actions has broader pre-built action ecosystem with specialized actions for 100+ tools (AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker). Jenkins matches this only by combining multiple plugins, requiring more configuration.
Can I migrate from Jenkins to GitHub Actions?
Yes, migration is feasible but not automated. Basic Jenkins pipelines (Declarative) convert to GitHub Actions workflows in 2-4 hours per pipeline. Complex Groovy scripts or extensive custom plugins require 1-2 weeks of refactoring. Tools like actions/github-script can replicate some Jenkins logic, but deep customizations may not have direct equivalents.
Which is better for on-premises/private infrastructure?
Jenkins is purpose-built for on-premises and has no cloud dependency. GitHub Actions offers self-hosted runners (you manage the hardware), but requires GitHub.com/Enterprise Cloud connectivity and GitHub account management. For fully air-gapped systems, Jenkins is the only viable option.