GitHub Actions vs Concourse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub Actions 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:
GitHub Actions
CI/CD built into GitHub
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • CI/CD built directly into GitHub, no external services needed
- • Workflow marketplace with thousands of community actions
Concourse
Container-based CI/CD system
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • 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 |  GitHub Actions |  Concourse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Testing & QA | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 90/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | GitHub Actions | Concourse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QAAutomation | Workflow AutomationCI/CD |
How GitHub Actions and Concourse Compare
GitHub Actions
CI/CD built into GitHub
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Concourse
Container-based CI/CD system
Free · 76/100 score
GitHub Actions is a testing & qa tool. Concourse is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Concourse is free. GitHub Actions is freemium.
Go with: Concourse
Want the highest-rated option?
GitHub Actions: 90/100. Concourse: 76/100.
Go with: GitHub Actions
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitHub Actions
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
GitHub Actions is freemium. Concourse is free. Go with Concourse if free matters most.
What's your use case?
GitHub Actions is a testing & qa tool. Concourse is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
GitHub Actions scores higher: 90/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Actions
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 76
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Concourse
- Completely free
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
GitHub Actions (90/100) is our pick. That said, Concourse is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub Actions or Concourse better?
GitHub Actions scores 90/100 in our evaluation. GitHub Actions is freemium and Concourse is free.
What are GitHub Actions and Concourse used for?
GitHub Actions: CI/CD built into GitHub. Concourse: Container-based CI/CD system.
What does GitHub Actions cost vs Concourse?
GitHub Actions is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Concourse is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.