Depot vs Nx Cloud: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Depot and Nx Cloud 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.
Bottom line: Depot wins this matchup. Our overall CI/CD pick is Podman. Our free CI/CD pick is Podman. Pick Nx Cloud if you need developer tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Depot
Accelerate Docker image builds and GitHub Actions workflows with powerful remote compute and caching.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces Docker build times (up to 55x faster reported)
- • You want offers faster and potentially cheaper GitHub Actions runners than native GitHub options
Nx Cloud
Accelerate your Nx monorepo development and CI with intelligent caching and task distribution.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want significantly reduces CI build times
- • You want accelerates local development workflows
| At a Glance | Depot | Nx Cloud |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $20/moDeveloper | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CI/CD | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Depot or Nx Cloud?
Choose Depot if
Accelerate Docker image builds and GitHub Actions workflows with powerful remote compute and caching.
- You want significantly reduces Docker build times (up to 55x faster reported)
- You want offers faster and potentially cheaper GitHub Actions runners than native GitHub options
- Your work is ci/cd-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
Choose Nx Cloud if
Accelerate your Nx monorepo development and CI with intelligent caching and task distribution.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want significantly reduces CI build times
- You want accelerates local development workflows
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not ci/cd-shaped
| Feature | Depot | Nx Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | CI/CDCloud & Infrastructure | Developer ToolsCI/CD |
In-Depth Analysis
Depot
Accelerate Docker image builds and GitHub Actions workflows with powerful remote compute and caching.
Depot's pricing is fair for individual developers and small startups, offering a clear path for growth.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding included minutes/storage
Strengths
- +Significantly reduces Docker build times (up to 55x faster reported)
- +Offers faster and potentially cheaper GitHub Actions runners than native GitHub options
- +Provides robust distributed caching for various build systems, making builds incremental
- +Supports native Intel and Arm architectures, avoiding emulation overhead
- +Easy integration with existing CI/CD pipelines and developer workflows
Weaknesses
- -Pricing for additional usage beyond included minutes can add up for larger teams
- -Advanced features like GPU builds and dedicated infrastructure are only available on the custom Business plan
Key features
Nx Cloud
Accelerate your Nx monorepo development and CI with intelligent caching and task distribution.
The Hobby tier is generous, offering substantial credits and features for free, making it highly accessible for individual developers.
Watch out
Credit overages beyond 50,000 monthly are not detailed.
Strengths
- +Significantly reduces CI build times
- +Accelerates local development workflows
- +Improves developer productivity
- +Efficiently utilizes computing resources
Weaknesses
- -Requires an existing Nx monorepo or adoption of Nx
- -Benefits are most pronounced in larger projects
Key features
Pricing: Depot vs Nx Cloud
| Plan | Depot | Nx Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $20/month Developer | Free forever Hobby |
| Tier 2 | $200/month Startup | $19 per Active Contributor/month Team |
| Tier 3 | Custom Business | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Depot pricing and Nx Cloud pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Nx Cloud has a free tier. Depot is paid only.
Go with: Nx Cloud
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Depot is paid. Nx Cloud is freemium. Nx Cloud lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Depot is a ci/cd tool. Nx Cloud is in developer tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Depot
- Our pick for this comparison
Nx Cloud
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for developer tools
The Bottom Line
Depot wins this matchup. Our overall CI/CD pick is Podman. Our free CI/CD pick is Podman. Nx Cloud has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Depot or Nx Cloud better?
Depot is rated in our evaluation. Depot is paid and Nx Cloud is freemium.
What are Depot and Nx Cloud used for?
Depot: Accelerate Docker image builds and GitHub Actions workflows with powerful remote compute and caching.. Nx Cloud: Accelerate your Nx monorepo development and CI with intelligent caching and task distribution..
What does Depot cost vs Nx Cloud?
Depot is a paid tool. Nx Cloud is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.