TeamCity vs CircleCI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between TeamCity and CircleCI 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:
TeamCity
CI/CD server by JetBrains
Best for you if:
- • TeamCity is a CI/CD server from JetBrains for build automation
- • It provides pipelines, testing, and deployment with IDE integration
CircleCI
Continuous integration and delivery
Best for you if:
- • CircleCI is a continuous integration platform that automates building, testing, and deploying code
- • It runs pipelines on every commit with parallelism, caching, and Docker support
| At a Glance |  TeamCity |  CircleCI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | Testing & QA |
Rating | 84/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | TeamCity | CircleCI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QAAutomation | Testing & QACI/CD |
How TeamCity and CircleCI Compare
TeamCity
CI/CD server by JetBrains
Free tier available · 84/100 score
CircleCI
Continuous integration and delivery
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: TeamCity
Want the highest-rated option?
TeamCity: 84/100. CircleCI: 84/100.
Go with: TeamCity
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: TeamCity
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?
Both are testing & qa tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both score 84/100.
Key Takeaways
TeamCity
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
CircleCI
The Bottom Line
TeamCity (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TeamCity or CircleCI better?
TeamCity scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are TeamCity and CircleCI used for?
TeamCity: CI/CD server by JetBrains. CircleCI: Continuous integration and delivery.
What does TeamCity cost vs CircleCI?
TeamCity is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CircleCI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.