CircleCI
CircleCI: A flexible CI platform for teams that need broad environments and advanced test workflows. Ranked #4 of 58 in Continuous Integration Software by our editors (9.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams needing advanced test CI.
At a glance
- Editor score9.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams needing advanced test CI
- Free planYes
- Paid from$15/mo
- Parallel jobs80 jobs
- Founded2011 · San Francisco, California, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Runs jobs across Docker, Linux, macOS, Windows, GPU, Arm, and self-hosted runners
- Supports parallel workflows, caching, artifacts, workspaces, and test splitting
- Connects with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, AWS, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes
Where it doesn't
- Paid usage is based on credits rather than a fixed build-minute allowance
- The Scale plan uses customizable pricing instead of a listed monthly price
- Advanced support options cost extra on the Performance and Scale plans
Our verdict on CircleCI
CircleCI is a continuous integration and delivery platform for software teams that need automated builds, tests, and deployment workflows. Teams define pipelines in YAML through a .circleci/config.yml file, connect supported version-control providers, and run jobs on hosted infrastructure or self-hosted runners. It suits engineering teams that need more execution choices and test controls than a basic hosted CI service, particularly when projects span multiple operating systems or architectures.
Its strongest fit is advanced test execution. CircleCI supports workflow orchestration, configurable job parallelism, dependency and tool caching, build artifacts, workspaces, persisted data, test result collection, test insights, flaky-test detection, and test splitting. Execution options include Docker, Linux virtual machines, macOS, Windows, GPU, Arm, and self-hosted container or machine runners. GitHub Checks and pull-request status reporting support review workflows, while APIs cover projects, pipelines, workflows, jobs, and organizations.
Pricing starts with a Free plan at $0 per month, including up to 6,000 build minutes, up to 5 active users per month, multiple execution environments, and 30x concurrency. Performance costs $15 per month and includes 30,000 credits, five active users, larger resources, and 80x concurrency; optional 8x5 support is available. Scale adds customizable plans, enterprise controls, the largest resource classes, GPU access, and optional 24/7 support. CircleCI is a strong choice for teams prioritizing test depth and environment breadth, while teams wanting simple fixed-minute pricing or a minimal CI setup may prefer a narrower alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test CircleCI in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
CircleCI pricing
All 3 CircleCI plans and prices →
CircleCI fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $15/mo |
| Hosted option | Yes |
| Self-hosted runners | Yes |
| Parallel jobs | 80 jobs |
| Included build minutes | Not verified |
| Pull request checks | Yes |
| Pipeline configuration | Yaml |
| Artifact or dependency cache | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Support | Community, Docs, Tickets, Email |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | circleci.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
CircleCI integrations
CircleCI lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
See all CircleCI integrations →
Alternatives to CircleCI
- GitHub ActionsA flexible CI/CD platform with strong GitHub integration and a low-cost entry tier.9.4
- GitLab CI/CDA flexible GitLab-integrated CI/CD system with strong pipeline orchestration.9.3
- TeamCityA flexible CI/CD platform for teams working across JetBrains tools and major VCS providers.9.1
See all CircleCI alternatives →
CircleCI vs the competition
- CircleCI vs GitHub Actions
- CircleCI vs GitLab CI/CD
- CircleCI vs TeamCity
- CircleCI vs Bitbucket Pipelines
- CircleCI vs Jenkins
- CircleCI vs Buildkite
Compare CircleCI with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
CircleCI is ranked in 7 of our directories.
Used CircleCI? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used CircleCI for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
CircleCI is listed in our Continuous Integration Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/circleci/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/circleci.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update