Jenkins vs Travis CI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Jenkins 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:
Jenkins
Open-source automation server
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.3/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • The original open-source CI/CD server with complete flexibility
- • 1,800+ plugins integrate with virtually any tool or service
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 |  Jenkins |  Travis CI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 83/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Jenkins | Travis CI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsHosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentTesting & QA |
How Jenkins and Travis CI Compare
Jenkins
Open-source automation server
Free · 83/100 score
Travis CI
Hosted CI/CD for open source
Free tier available · 78/100 score
Jenkins is a api tools tool. Travis CI is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Jenkins is free. Travis CI is freemium.
Go with: Jenkins
Want the highest-rated option?
Jenkins: 83/100. Travis CI: 78/100.
Go with: Jenkins
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Jenkins
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Jenkins is free. Travis CI is freemium. Go with Jenkins if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Jenkins is a api tools tool. Travis CI is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Jenkins scores higher: 83/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Jenkins
- Higher score: 83/100 vs 78
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Travis CI
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
Jenkins (83/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jenkins or Travis CI better?
Jenkins scores 83/100 in our evaluation. Jenkins is free and Travis CI is freemium.
What are Jenkins and Travis CI used for?
Jenkins: Open-source automation server. Travis CI: Hosted CI/CD for open source.
What does Jenkins cost vs Travis CI?
Jenkins is completely free. Travis CI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.