Buildkite vs NX: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Buildkite and NX comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Buildkite
Build happiness
Best for you if:
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Buildkite is a CI/CD platform that runs on your own infrastructure
- • It provides fast, scalable pipelines with hybrid cloud-agent architecture
NX
Optimize builds, scale CI, and fix PRs faster with intelligent caching and AI-powered self-healing.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Accelerates builds and CI with intelligent caching and task distribution.
- • Automates PR fixes and reduces flaky tests with AI-powered self-healing.
| At a Glance |  Buildkite |  NX |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 86/100 | 87/100 |
| Feature | Buildkite | NX |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 87 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | IDE & Code EditorsAutomation |
How Buildkite and NX Compare
Buildkite
Build happiness
Free tier available · 86/100 score
NX
Optimize builds, scale CI, and fix PRs faster with intelligent caching and AI-powered self-healing.
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Buildkite is a ci/cd tool. NX is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Buildkite
Want the highest-rated option?
Buildkite: 86/100. NX: 87/100.
Go with: NX
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: NX
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Buildkite is a ci/cd tool. NX is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
NX scores higher: 87/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
NX
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 86
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Buildkite
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
NX (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buildkite or NX better?
NX scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Buildkite and NX used for?
Buildkite: Build happiness. NX: Optimize builds, scale CI, and fix PRs faster with intelligent caching and AI-powered self-healing..
What does Buildkite cost vs NX?
Buildkite is freemium (free tier + paid plans). NX is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.