Dagger
Dagger: A code-first CI platform for portable, observable container build workflows. Ranked #8 of 34 in Container Build Tools by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for programmable CI and container build workflows.
At a glance
- Editor score8.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forProgrammable CI and container build workflows
- Free planYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Programmable DAG workflows using real code and a clean API
- Multi-platform builds with automatic workflow and layer caching
- Custom Docker, Kubernetes, and Podman runners
Where it doesn't
- The Individual plan supports one user
- Its scope extends beyond pure container image building
- Advanced team and enterprise capabilities sit in paid tiers
Our verdict on Dagger
Dagger is a programmable CI platform for developers and platform teams building, testing, and publishing containerized software. It replaces shell scripts and CI configuration with code, a clean API, and a portable DAG execution engine. Workflows can run locally or on Dagger Cloud, using containerized environments across multiple programming languages. The platform fits teams that want CI logic expressed as reusable software rather than configuration, especially when builds span multiple platforms, stages, repositories, or container runtimes.
Its strongest technical fit is programmable, portable execution. Dagger supports containerized multi-stage and matrix builds, multi-platform container image builds, automatic workflow and layer caching, end-to-end tracing, and secrets mounted into Dockerfile builds. It can accept local or remote Git repositories, publish images to registries, and run custom runners on Docker, Kubernetes, and Podman. Integrations cover GitHub, GitHub Actions, GitHub Container Registry, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Jenkins, Azure Pipelines, AWS CodeBuild, Argo Workflows, Tekton, and TeamCity, giving teams several ways to place Dagger within an existing delivery pipeline.
The published Cloud plans start with Individual, which includes observability for one, community support, one user, and 1,000,000 monthly events. Team costs 50 USD per month and adds observability and module sharing, email support, up to 10 users, and 10,000,000 monthly events. Enterprise adds module insights, a module catalog, enterprise-level confidence and support, and 24/7 premium support. Choose Dagger if your team values reusable CI code, portable execution, caching, tracing, and custom runners. A narrower image-building tool may suit teams that do not need broader CI orchestration or programmable workflow control.
Your product? Our editors can test Dagger in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Dagger pricing
All 3 Dagger plans and prices →
Dagger fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Build method | Not verified |
| Multi-architecture builds | Yes |
| Build cache backends | Local |
| SBOM generation | Not verified |
| Build secret handling | Yes |
| Concurrent builds | Not verified |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Email, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 11 integrations: GitHub, GitHub Actions, GitHub Container Registry, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Jenkins … |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | dagger.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Dagger integrations
Dagger lists 11 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- GitHub Actions
- GitHub Container Registry
- GitLab CI
- CircleCI
- Jenkins
- Azure Pipelines
- AWS CodeBuild
- Argo Workflows
- Tekton
- TeamCity
Alternatives to Dagger
- BuildKitA flexible, open-source builder for concurrent, cached, multi-platform container builds.9.4
- Docker BuildxA free BuildKit interface for multi-platform, cached, and attested image builds.9.3
- BuildahA free, daemonless Linux tool for building and managing container images.8.9
Dagger vs the competition
- Dagger vs BuildKit
- Dagger vs Docker Buildx
- Dagger vs Buildah
- Dagger vs Depot
- Dagger vs Kaniko
- Dagger vs Earthly
Compare Dagger with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Dagger is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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