Containerize and run your CI/CD pipelines in any language
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Portable pipelines
Biggest con
Learning curve
TL;DR - Dagger
- Programmable CI/CD engine
- Pipelines as code
- Run anywhere - local or cloud
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Dagger?
Dagger is a programmable CI/CD engine that runs your pipelines in containers. Define your entire pipeline in your favorite programming language (Go, Python, TypeScript, or any language with a GraphQL client), run it locally, and then run the same pipeline in any CI environment. Dagger caches everything by default, making builds faster and more efficient. It eliminates CI lock-in by providing a portable, containerized runtime for all your CI/CD needs.
Available on: Linux, Web
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Portable pipelines
- Language agnostic
- Container-native
- Local development friendly
Cons
- Learning curve
- Newer ecosystem
- Documentation could be better
Key Features
CI/CD pipelines as codeContainer-nativeLocal developmentMulti-language SDKsCaching built-inPortable pipelines
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jun 23, 2026
Dagger Engine
Free
- Open source
- Unlimited pipelines
- Local development
- Any CI
Dagger Cloud Team
$25/month
- Pipeline visualization
- Caching
- Collaboration
Reviews
$99Free with your review
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Dagger FAQ
How does Dagger enable portable CI/CD pipelines?
Dagger allows users to define their entire pipeline in a programming language, which then runs in containers. This containerized approach ensures that the same pipeline can be executed consistently across various CI environments, eliminating CI lock-in.
Which teams would benefit most from using Dagger?
Teams looking for a highly programmable and portable CI/CD solution will find Dagger beneficial. It is particularly well-suited for developers who prefer defining pipelines in Go, Python, TypeScript, or any language with a GraphQL client, and who value local development capabilities.
How does Dagger compare to GitHub Actions for CI/CD automation?
Unlike GitHub Actions, Dagger emphasizes language-agnostic pipeline definition and containerized execution, allowing pipelines to run locally and then in any CI environment. Dagger aims to eliminate CI lock-in by providing a portable runtime, whereas GitHub Actions is more tightly integrated with the GitHub ecosystem.
Does Dagger include a free tier?
Dagger is free to use, meaning there is no paid plan required to access its features. This allows users to implement and run their containerized CI/CD pipelines without cost.
What kind of trade-offs should users consider when adopting Dagger?
Users should be aware that Dagger has a learning curve due to its unique approach to CI/CD. Additionally, its ecosystem is newer compared to more established tools, and the documentation could be improved.
Can Dagger integrate with existing development workflows?
Yes, Dagger is designed to be local development friendly, allowing developers to define and run pipelines in their preferred programming language. This facilitates seamless integration into existing development workflows by enabling local testing before deployment to CI environments.
Source: dagger.io