Semaphore vs Concourse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Semaphore 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:
Semaphore
Fast CI/CD platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • Semaphore is a CI/CD platform for fast and reliable software delivery
- • It provides parallelized builds with a focus on speed and developer experience
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 |  Semaphore |  Concourse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Testing & QA | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 82/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | Semaphore | Concourse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QAAutomation | Workflow AutomationCI/CD |
How Semaphore and Concourse Compare
Semaphore
Fast CI/CD platform
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Concourse
Container-based CI/CD system
Free · 76/100 score
Semaphore is a testing & qa tool. Concourse is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Concourse is free. Semaphore is freemium.
Go with: Concourse
Want the highest-rated option?
Semaphore: 82/100. Concourse: 76/100.
Go with: Semaphore
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Semaphore
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Semaphore is freemium. Concourse is free. Go with Concourse if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Semaphore is a testing & qa tool. Concourse is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Semaphore scores higher: 82/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
Semaphore
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 76
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Concourse
- Completely free
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
Semaphore (82/100) is our pick. That said, Concourse is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Semaphore or Concourse better?
Semaphore scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Semaphore is freemium and Concourse is free.
What are Semaphore and Concourse used for?
Semaphore: Fast CI/CD platform. Concourse: Container-based CI/CD system.
What does Semaphore cost vs Concourse?
Semaphore is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Concourse is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.