Drone vs Concourse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Drone and Concourse 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:
Drone
Container-native continuous delivery platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • Drone is an open-source continuous integration platform built on container technology
- • It runs pipelines in isolated Docker containers with simple YAML configuration
Concourse
Container-based CI/CD system
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Concourse is an open-source continuous integration system built on containers
- • It treats pipelines as code with reproducible builds using isolated container-based workers
| At a Glance |  Drone |  Concourse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Workflow Automation | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 80/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | Drone | Concourse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Workflow AutomationCI/CD | Workflow AutomationCI/CD |
How Drone and Concourse Compare
Drone
Container-native continuous delivery platform
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Concourse
Container-based CI/CD system
Free · 76/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Concourse is free. Drone is freemium.
Go with: Concourse
Want the highest-rated option?
Drone: 80/100. Concourse: 76/100.
Go with: Drone
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Drone
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Drone is freemium. Concourse is free. Go with Concourse if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are workflow automation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Drone scores higher: 80/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
Drone
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 76
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Concourse
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Drone (80/100) is our pick. That said, Concourse is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drone or Concourse better?
Drone scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Drone is freemium and Concourse is free.
What are Drone and Concourse used for?
Drone: Container-native continuous delivery platform. Concourse: Container-based CI/CD system.
What does Drone cost vs Concourse?
Drone is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Concourse is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.