Earthly vs Phase: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Earthly and Phase 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Earthly
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
Best for you if:
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • Automates enforcement of engineering standards and compliance in PRs and AI agents.
- • Provides fast, consistent, and portable software builds with a Dockerfile-like syntax.
Phase
Open-source platform to secure and deploy application secrets from development to production.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need security features specifically
- • Centralizes and automates secret and environment variable management for engineering teams.
- • Provides a seamless developer experience with CLI tools and runtime secret injection.
| At a Glance |  Earthly |  Phase |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | DevOps | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Earthly or Phase?
Choose Earthly if
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
- Ensures consistent application of engineering standards and compliance automatically.
- Significantly reduces build times and improves build reliability.
- Provides clear visibility into standards adherence across the organization.
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not security-shaped
Choose Phase if
Open-source platform to secure and deploy application secrets from development to production.
- Open-source with self-hosting option for full control and compliance.
- Seamless developer experience with CLI and no-code integration.
- Comprehensive security features like RBAC, audit logs, and IP allow listing.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- Your work is security-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
| Feature | Earthly | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | DevOpsDeveloper Tools | SecurityDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Earthly
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
Strengths
- +Ensures consistent application of engineering standards and compliance automatically.
- +Significantly reduces build times and improves build reliability.
- +Provides clear visibility into standards adherence across the organization.
- +Integrates seamlessly with existing CI/CD tools and complements policy tools like OPA.
- +Empowers developers with instant feedback and proactive guidance, reducing last-minute blockers.
Weaknesses
- -Requires initial setup to define and codify standards.
- -The learning curve for Earthfiles syntax, though familiar, might exist for new users.
Key features
Phase
Open-source platform to secure and deploy application secrets from development to production.
Strengths
- +Open-source with self-hosting option for full control and compliance.
- +Seamless developer experience with CLI and no-code integration.
- +Comprehensive security features like RBAC, audit logs, and IP allow listing.
- +Extensive integrations with popular development and deployment tools.
- +Offers a free tier for small teams and personal projects.
Weaknesses
- -The Free tier is limited to 5 users/service accounts, 3 apps, and 3 environments, which might be restrictive for growing teams or larger projects.
- -Advanced security and compliance features like OIDC/SAML/SCIM SSO, Dynamic Secrets, Automated Secret Rotation, and SIEM Integration are only available in higher-priced Enterprise plans.
- -Audit log retention is limited to 24 hours in the Free tier and 90 days in the Pro tier, which might not meet long-term compliance requirements without upgrading to Enterprise or forwarding logs.
Key features
Pricing: Earthly vs Phase
| Plan | Earthly | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $10/ month / user Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $25/ month / user Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Earthly pricing and Phase pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Phase has a free tier. Earthly is paid only.
Go with: Phase
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?
Earthly is paid. Phase is freemium. Phase lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Earthly is a DevOps tool. Phase is in security. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Phase
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Earthly
- Better fit for DevOps
The Bottom Line
Phase is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earthly or Phase better?
Phase is rated in our evaluation. Earthly is paid and Phase is freemium.
What are Earthly and Phase used for?
Earthly: Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.. Phase: Open-source platform to secure and deploy application secrets from development to production..
What does Earthly cost vs Phase?
Earthly is a paid tool. Phase is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.