GitHub Actions vs Travis CI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub Actions and Travis CI 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 7.8/10)
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • CI/CD built directly into GitHub, no external services needed
- • Workflow marketplace with thousands of community actions
Travis CI
Hosted CI/CD for open source
Best for you if:
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Travis CI is a continuous integration service for open source
- • It builds and tests projects hosted on GitHub automatically
| At a Glance |  GitHub Actions |  Travis CI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 90/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | GitHub Actions | Travis CI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QAAutomation | Hosting & DeploymentTesting & QA |
How GitHub Actions and Travis CI Compare
GitHub Actions
CI/CD built into GitHub
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Travis CI
Hosted CI/CD for open source
Free tier available · 78/100 score
GitHub Actions is a testing & qa tool. Travis CI is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: GitHub Actions
Want the highest-rated option?
GitHub Actions: 90/100. Travis CI: 78/100.
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?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
GitHub Actions is a testing & qa tool. Travis CI is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
GitHub Actions scores higher: 90/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Actions
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 78
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Travis CI
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
GitHub Actions (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub Actions or Travis CI better?
GitHub Actions scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are GitHub Actions and Travis CI used for?
GitHub Actions: CI/CD built into GitHub. Travis CI: Hosted CI/CD for open source.
What does GitHub Actions cost vs Travis CI?
GitHub Actions is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Travis CI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.