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Head-to-head · Continuous Integration Software

GitLab CI/CD vs Semaphore

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score GitLab CI/CD #2 in Continuous Integration Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit GitLab CI/CD
Semaphore #8 in Continuous Integration Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Semaphore

GitLab CI/CD leads on 0 checks, Semaphore on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitLab CI/CD · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

GitLab CI/CD scores higher on our rubric for continuous integration software: 9.3 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

On pipeline configuration, Semaphore gives you Both where GitLab CI/CD offers Yaml.

GitLab CI/CD is the better fit for integrated DevOps teams. Semaphore is the better fit for teams wanting visual workflows and self-hosting.

  • GitLab CI/CD fits best

    Integrated DevOps teams

  • Semaphore fits best

    Teams wanting visual workflows and self-hosting

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Side by side

Feature GitLab CI/CD 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Semaphore 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.6
Ranking #2 in Continuous Integration Software #8 in Continuous Integration Software
Best for Integrated DevOps teams Teams wanting visual workflows and self-hosting
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $29/user/mo $0.0025/unit usage-based
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR SOC 2, SSO/SAML
Integrations 41+ integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GitLab CI/CD 4/4 · Semaphore 4/4
Hosted option ✓ ✓
Self-hosted runners ✓ ✓
Pull request checks ✓ ✓
Artifact or dependency cache ✓ ✓
Specs
Parallel jobs Not checked yet 20 jobs
Included build minutes 10000 min/mo Not checked yet
Pipeline configuration Yaml Both
Our review
Pros
  • DAG, parent-child, matrix, and merge-request pipelines
  • Hosted and self-managed runners across Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Caching, artifacts, parallel jobs, and cross-project pipelines
  • YAML and visual workflow configuration support both code-first and visual setup
  • Parallel jobs, caching, artifacts, and test reporting support faster feedback
  • Self-hosted agents and Community Edition support customer-managed infrastructure
Cons
  • The Free plan includes 400 compute minutes per month
  • Ultimate uses custom pricing
  • Premium pricing is listed for annual billing
  • Usage-based compute pricing makes monthly costs dependent on consumption
  • The managed plan has 20 concurrent jobs by default
  • Advanced workflows may require managing YAML, visual configuration, or self-hosted agents
Our verdict

GitLab CI/CD is a continuous integration and delivery system integrated with GitLab. Teams define pipelines in YAML files and automate builds, tests, security checks, and deployments. It supports triggers for pushes, merge requests,…

Read the review →

Semaphore is a continuous integration and delivery platform for software development teams. It connects GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repositories to workflows that build, test, release, and deploy applications. Teams can define pipelines…

Read the review →
  1. GitLab CI/CDContinuous Integration Software 9.3Free plan
  2. SemaphoreContinuous Integration Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitLab CI/CD — where it wins

    • DAG, parent-child, matrix, and merge-request pipelines
    • Hosted and self-managed runners across Linux, Windows, and macOS
    • Caching, artifacts, parallel jobs, and cross-project pipelines

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan includes 400 compute minutes per month
    • Ultimate uses custom pricing
    • Premium pricing is listed for annual billing

  • Semaphore — where it wins

    • YAML and visual workflow configuration support both code-first and visual setup
    • Parallel jobs, caching, artifacts, and test reporting support faster feedback
    • Self-hosted agents and Community Edition support customer-managed infrastructure

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage-based compute pricing makes monthly costs dependent on consumption
    • The managed plan has 20 concurrent jobs by default
    • Advanced workflows may require managing YAML, visual configuration, or self-hosted agents

More comparisons

All continuous integration software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update