Continuous integration and continuous deployment tools are used to streamline the CICD pipeline with automation features. These tools make it easy to integrate code changes, automate software testing, and deploy applications in different environments.

Let’s explore the best CI CD pipeline tools that can help your DevOps and QA teams speed up the development and QA lifecycle.

What Are CICD Pipeline Tools?

CI/CD pipeline tools create the foundation of modern DevOps to help teams move from code to deployment faster, smarter, and with fewer errors. CI (Continuous Integration) automates the process of merging and testing code changes, while CD (Continuous Delivery/Deployment) pushes those changes into production without disrupting the flow.

All these tools simplify the entire software development lifecycle by removing bottlenecks and reducing human error. That way, developers and QAs to focus on building and testing instead of manual tasks.

So, CI/CD tools keep your releases frequent, reliable, and stress-free!

Top 20 CI CD Tools in DevOps

As per customer reviews and popularity, these tools are known to be the best CI CD pipeline tools:

1. Jenkins

Jenkins is the most well-known and widely used open-source automation server that has become a regular part of the CI/CD ecosystem. It has been in the industry since 2011, and was designed to automate everything from building and testing to deploying applications.

Jenkins supports thousands of plugins that extend its functionality, which is how it can virtually integrate with every DevOps CI CD tools and technology. But Jenkins requires significant setup and ongoing maintenance, which can be a challenge for smaller teams.

Features

Open-source automation server with 1,800+ plugins.
Supports CI/CD pipelines through Jenkinsfile (scripted or declarative).
Works with Git, SVN, and Mercurial for version control.
Can run distributed builds across multiple servers.
Highly extensible for diverse DevOps workflows.

Pros

Well known tool with a large community and abundant documentation.
Integrates with almost every DevOps and QA tool available.
Flexible enough for both small projects and large enterprise pipelines.
Extensive plugin ecosystem offers near-limitless customization.

Cons

Complex to configure and maintain compared to cloud-native tools.
Steep learning curve for new users.
Plugin dependencies can cause instability.
Requires significant infrastructure resources.

2. GitLab CI/CD

GitLab CI/CD is an integral part of GitLab as it contains a complete DevOps lifecycle within a single application. Unlike Jenkins, which relies heavily on plugins, GitLab provides CI/CD features natively alongside source code management, issue tracking, and project collaboration.

Developers define their pipelines in a “.gitlab-ci.yml file”, which simplifies configuration. It also provides Auto DevOps features, which automatically build, test, and deploy applications with minimal configuration.

GitLab CI/CD is best for cloud-native environments due to its deep Kubernetes integration and strong support for container-based workflows. But some of its advanced features are only available in premium tiers. This can be a drawback for budget-conscious teams.

Features

Built-in CI/CD integrated with GitLab’s version control system.
Pipeline configuration via .gitlab-ci.yml.
Auto DevOps enables automated builds and deployments.
Kubernetes and Docker integration for containerized applications.
Built-in security scanning and monitoring.

Pros

Unified DevOps platform so no need for multiple tools.
Easier to manage than plugin-heavy solutions like Jenkins.
Flexible runners support Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Strong Kubernetes support for cloud-native development.

Cons

Performance can lag with very large repositories.
Advanced features require paid GitLab tiers.
Interface may be overwhelming for new users.

3. Travis CI

Travis CI is a cloud-based CI/CD platform known for its simplicity and quick integration with GitHub. It uses a .travis.yml file to configure the pipeline, which makes the setup easy, quick, and accessible even for small teams.

Travis CI is more popular among open-source projects due to its free tier for public repositories. It supports several programming languages and frameworks that developers can use to test across different environments.

Features

Hosted CI/CD platform with GitHub and Bitbucket integration.
Pipeline configuration via .travis.yml.
Supports multiple languages and frameworks.
Parallel builds and caching for efficiency.
Integrates with AWS, GCP, and Heroku for deployment.

Pros

Very easy to set up and use.
Best for open-source projects with a free tier available.
Easy GitHub integration for automatic build triggers.
Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows builds.

Cons

Slower builds on free/shared plans.
Less enterprise adoption compared to competitors.
Paid plans can become expensive as projects scale.
Slower development and updates in recent years.

4. TeamCity

TeamCity is a CI/CD tool developed by JetBrains to favor enterprises with scalability and a rich feature set. Unlike open-source solutions such as Jenkins, TeamCity comes with strong out-of-the-box functionality, which reduces reliance on plugins.

It supports multiple build runners, provides real-time build progress, and is easy to integrate with popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA. TeamCity is best for test intelligence and build optimization, which makes it a good option for teams managing complex projects.

Features

Support for 100+ build runners and frameworks.
Integration with JetBrains IDEs and other major tools.
Real-time build progress and reporting dashboards.
Parallel and distributed builds for scalability.
Strong test intelligence for faster feedback.

Pros

Rich functionality without heavy plugin reliance.
Smooth integration with JetBrains development tools.
Scalable for large enterprise environments.
Good build optimization and reporting.

Cons

Requires licensing costs for larger teams.
UI can feel dated compared to newer tools.
More complex than lightweight CI/CD services.

5. CircleCI

CircleCI is a cloud-native CI/CD platform known for speed, flexibility, and ease of use. It provides both a hosted SaaS version and a self-hosted option for teams that need more control.

CircleCI stands out for its caching and parallelism features, which significantly speed up pipelines. With native integrations for GitHub, GitHub Enterprise, and Bitbucket, it easily fits into existing workflows. Its container and VM-based execution environments make it highly adaptable.

Features

Native GitHub and Bitbucket integration.
Caching and parallelism to accelerate pipelines.
Supports Docker, Linux, macOS, and Windows builds.
Orb ecosystem (reusable config packages) for automation.
Flexible deployment options (cloud or on-prem).

Pros

Fast and efficient pipelines with parallel execution.
Easy to set up for cloud-native teams.
Orb ecosystem simplifies pipeline configuration.
Strong support for containerized workflows.

Cons

Pricing can be expensive for heavy usage.
Limited free tier compared to competitors.
Complex pipelines might require advanced YAML knowledge.

6. GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions extends GitHub into a full-fledged CI/CD platform to enable teams to automate builds, tests, and deployments directly within their repositories. It uses YAML - based workflows and integrates with GitHub events like commits, pull requests, and releases.

With a huge marketplace of prebuilt actions, developers can quickly set up pipelines for almost any use case. GitHub Actions is particularly popular among open-source and small teams thanks to its generous free tier.

Features

Native CI/CD is built into GitHub repositories.
YAML-based workflow configuration.
Triggers based on GitHub events (PRs, commits, tags).
Marketplace of thousands of reusable actions.
Supports matrix builds for multiple environments.

Pros

Simple integration with GitHub.
Generous free tier for public repos.
Marketplace speeds up setup and automation.
Scales easily from small to mid-size teams.

Cons

Less flexible for complex enterprise deployments.
Limited visibility compared to dedicated CI/CD tools.
Dependent on GitHub ecosystem.

7. Azure Pipelines

Azure Pipelines is part of Azure DevOps. It is Microsoft’s CI/CD solution designed for teams working on different platforms and languages. It supports builds and deployments to Windows, Linux, macOS, and containerized environments.

One of its strengths is tight integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem (Azure, GitHub, Visual Studio) while also supporting open-source tools. But it can be a bit complex for smaller teams that are not used to Microsoft tools.

Features

Supports multi-platform builds (Windows, Linux, macOS).
Cloud-hosted and self-hosted agents.
Deep integration with Azure, GitHub, and Visual Studio.
Built-in testing and artifact management.

Pros

Best for Microsoft-centric teams.
Flexible deployment across platforms and environments.
Supports containers and Kubernetes deployments.
Scales well for enterprise DevOps.

Cons

Complex for small or non-Microsoft teams.
Steeper learning curve than simpler CI/CD tools.
Some advanced features require paid Azure DevOps plans.

8. AWS CodePipeline

AWS CodePipeline is Amazon’s managed CI/CD service that automates build, test, and deployment workflows. It can integrate tightly with other AWS services like CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, and CloudFormation. That’s why it’s ideal for organizations already running workloads in AWS. Also, it uses a visual workflow interface to define stages and actions, making it easier to track progress.

Features

Fully managed CI/CD service.
Visual workflow design for pipelines.
Native integration with AWS services (CodeBuild, Lambda, ECS, etc.).
Pay-as-you-go pricing model.
Supports third-party integrations (e.g., GitHub, Jenkins).

Pros

Best choice for AWS-centric organizations.
Reliable and scalable with minimal setup.
Pay only for usage, no upfront costs.
Strong security with IAM role-based permissions.

Cons

Limited functionality outside the AWS ecosystem.
Less customizable than open-source alternatives.
Learning curve for AWS newcomers.

9. Google Cloud Build

Google Cloud Build is Google’s fully managed CI/CD service, which you can use to build, test, and deploy applications quickly in the cloud. It supports container-based workflows natively and integrates with other Google Cloud services like GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine) and Artifact Registry. Developers can define build steps in a YAML or JSON configuration file that gives flexibility in pipeline design.

Features

Fully managed CI/CD service.
Native Docker and Kubernetes support.
Deep integration with GCP services (GKE, Cloud Functions).
Pay-per-use pricing.

Pros

Highly scalable and efficient for cloud-native apps.
Strong Kubernetes and container support.
Integrates smoothly with the Google Cloud ecosystem.

Cons

Limited value outside GCP environments.
Fewer integrations compared to Jenkins or GitLab.
Less community adoption than AWS or Azure tools.

10. Argo CD

Argo CD is a Kubernetes native continuous delivery tool designed for GitOps workflows. Instead of traditional CI/CD pipelines, Argo CD manages application deployments by continuously syncing the desired state (defined in Git repositories) with the live state in Kubernetes clusters.

This makes deployments more reliable and version-controlled. It’s particularly useful for teams embracing cloud-native and microservices architectures.

Features

Kubernetes-native GitOps continuous delivery tool.
Declarative configuration with Git as the source of truth.
Automated syncing of application state to clusters.
Web UI and CLI for monitoring and managing deployments.
Strong RBAC and security controls.

Pros

Ideal for Kubernetes and microservices environments.
Declarative, version-controlled deployments.
Reduces manual errors by automating state synchronization.
Works seamlessly with other CI tools.

Cons

Focused only on CD (not CI).
Requires Kubernetes expertise.
Smaller ecosystem compared to older CI/CD platforms.

11. Tekton

Tekton is an open source framework for building CICD systems on Kubernetes. Developed under the Continuous Delivery Foundation (CDF), it provides Kubernetes-native CRDs (Custom Resource Definitions) that allow teams to define and run pipelines in a declarative, cloud-native way.

Features

Kubernetes-native framework with CRDs for pipelines, tasks, and steps.
Extensible and composable pipeline building blocks.
Strong integration with Kubernetes and container workflows.
Foundation for other CI/CD products like OpenShift Pipelines.
Supports GitOps-based workflows.

Pros

Highly flexible and customizable for Kubernetes environments.
Designed for cloud-native and microservices workloads.
Forms the basis of enterprise tools like OpenShift Pipelines.

Cons

Requires Kubernetes expertise to implement.
More of a framework than a ready to use tool.
Steeper learning curve compared to hosted CI/CD services.

12. OpenShift Pipelines

OpenShift Pipelines is Red Hat’s Kubernetes-native CI/CD solution built on Tekton. It brings Tekton’s flexibility into OpenShift, complemented by enterprise-grade features. So, it’s easier for organizations to adopt cloud-native DevOps. OpenShift Pipelines allow teams to define declarative pipelines, integrate with OpenShift’s developer tools, and leverage Kubernetes scalability.

Features

Kubernetes-native CI/CD built on Tekton.
Declarative pipelines defined as code.
Integration with OpenShift Developer Console.
Scalable and secure pipeline execution.
Supports GitOps workflows with Argo CD.

Pros

Enterprise-ready CI/CD for Kubernetes.
Easily integrates into OpenShift ecosystem.
Benefits from Tekton’s flexibility with added usability.
Strong security and RBAC features.

Cons

Tied to OpenShift platform (vendor lock-in).
Learning curve for non-Kubernetes teams.
Less community adoption compared to Jenkins or GitLab.

13. Octopus Deploy

Octopus Deploy is a deployment automation tool designed to handle complex release management scenarios. Unlike traditional CI/CD platforms, Octopus focuses primarily on Continuous Delivery (CD). It integrates easily with CI tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, or TeamCity.

It excels in orchestrating deployments across multiple environments and manages secrets, and ensures compliance. Its strength in release automation makes it popular in regulated industries, though its limited CI capabilities mean it must be paired with other tools.

Features

Focused on deployment automation and release orchestration.
Integrates with popular CI tools for build pipelines.
Manages configuration, secrets, and variable substitution.
Supports multi-environment and multi-tenant deployments.
Built-in compliance and auditing features.

Pros

Excellent for complex deployments across environments.
Strong governance, compliance, and security support.
Integrates smoothly with CI tools for end-to-end pipelines.
Enterprise-ready with proper reporting.

Cons

Limited CI functionality (CD only).
Paid licensing model does not suit smaller teams.
Requires integration with other CI tools for full workflows.

14. CodeShip

CodeShip is a cloud-based CI/CD tool that focuses on simplicity and speed. Acquired by CloudBees (the company behind Jenkins), CodeShip comes in two flavors. CodeShip Basic for quick setup and CodeShip Pro for more complex, Docker-based pipelines.

Features

Cloud-hosted CI/CD with GitHub and Bitbucket integration.
CodeShip Basic (preconfigured) and Pro (Docker-based) versions.
Parallel test execution and caching.
Integrations with AWS, Google Cloud, and Heroku.

Pros

Quick and easy setup for small teams.
Flexible with Docker-based pipelines (CodeShip Pro).
Good balance between simplicity and configurability.
Free tier for small projects.

Cons

Less suitable for large, complex enterprise projects.
Limited community compared to Jenkins or GitLab.
Advanced features only in paid Pro plan.

15. Spinnaker

Spinnaker is an open-source, multi-cloud continuous delivery platform originally developed by Netflix. It is designed for managing complex deployments, with support for canary releases, blue/green deployments, and rollbacks. It also integrates natively with major cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure) and Kubernetes.

Features

Multi-cloud continuous delivery with advanced deployment strategies.
Supports canary, blue/green, and rolling updates.
Strong integration with Kubernetes and major cloud providers.
Built-in monitoring and rollback features.

Pros

Excellent for large-scale, multi-cloud deployments.
Advanced deployment strategies out of the box.
Strong Kubernetes and container support.
Backed by Netflix and a large community adoption.

Cons

Complex setup and maintenance.
High resource requirements.
Steeper learning curve compared to simpler CD tools.

16. Bitrise

Bitrise is a CICD platform focused specifically on mobile app development. It provides prebuilt integrations for iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter projects. Consider it a go-to choice for mobile developers. It also gives cloud-hosted macOS machines for iOS builds and a visual workflow editor for easy configuration.

Features

Mobile focused CI/CD with prebuilt steps for iOS and Android.
Cloud-hosted macOS and Linux build environments.
Visual workflow editor with reusable steps.
Integrations with popular mobile dev tools (Fastlane, Firebase).
Automatic code signing and deployment.

Pros

Best-in-class CICD for mobile app development.
Easy to use with a visual workflow editor.
Cloud-hosted macOS builds save infrastructure costs.
Strong integration with mobile SDKs and services.

Cons

Limited value outside mobile development.
Paid plans are needed for scaling.
Less flexible than general-purpose CICD tools.

17. Drone

Drone is a modern, open-source CI/CD platform built around containers. Every pipeline step runs in an isolated Docker container, which makes it lightweight and highly portable.

Drone integrates natively with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and other SCMs. Its container first design simplifies scaling but feels limiting for teams unfamiliar with Docker.

Features

Container native CI/CD with Docker for each pipeline step.
Native SCM integrations (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).
Lightweight and portable architecture.
Enterprise edition for cloud hosting.

Pros

Minimalist, modern design with container isolation.
Lightweight and easy to scale.
Strong integration with Git platforms.
Open source with active community.

Cons

Requires Docker knowledge.
Self-hosting adds maintenance overhead.
Less feature rich compared to Jenkins or GitLab.

18. Concourse CI

Concourse CI is an open-source CICD system known for its declarative, pipeline as code approach. It uses a visual interface to show pipelines as directed acyclic graphs, which makes complex workflows easy to understand.

Each pipeline component runs in an isolated container, which ensures reproducibility. While its design philosophy appeals to advanced teams, Concourse has a steeper learning curve and a smaller ecosystem compared to mainstream tools.

Features

Declarative pipelines with visual DAG representation.
Containerized execution for every step.
Strong reproducibility and isolation guarantees.
CLI and web UI for management.

Pros

Visual pipelines aid in debugging and monitoring.
Strong reproducibility through container isolation.
Lightweight and efficient execution.
Open source and community driven.

Cons

Steep learning curve for new users.
Smaller ecosystem than Jenkins or GitLab.
Limited enterprise adoption.

19. AppVeyor

AppVeyor is a CICD service tailored for Windows developers. It integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket and also offers Windows build environments out of the box. AppVeyor has been particularly popular in the .NET and C++ developer communities for its ease of use and cloud-hosted Windows builds. While it supports Linux and macOS builds as well, its strength lies in Windows workflows.

Features

Windows-first CI/CD with native support for .NET and C++.
GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket integration.
Cloud-hosted Windows, Linux, and macOS build agents.
Supports PowerShell and Visual Studio builds.

Pros

Best choice for Windows/.NET developers.
Easy setup and cloud-hosted Windows machines.
Integration with popular version control systems.
Free tier for open-source projects.

Cons

Less suited for non Windows environments.
Limited scalability for large enterprises.
Smaller ecosystem compared to Jenkins or GitHub Actions.

20. Semaphore

Semaphore is a fast, cloud-hosted CICD platform which provides speed and efficiency for your CICD pipeline. It provides powerful parallelism, caching, and auto-scaling features to optimize build times. It supports Docker, Kubernetes, and multiple environments, which is suitable for both startups and growing teams.

Features

Cloud-hosted CI/CD platform with auto-scaling.
Parallelism and caching to accelerate builds.
Docker and Kubernetes support.
Integrates with GitHub and Bitbucket.

Pros

Extremely fast build and deployment times.
Scales automatically with workload.
Strong support for containerized workflows.
Easy integration with popular Git providers.

Cons

Pricing can get expensive at scale.
Smaller ecosystem than older CICD tools.
Advanced configuration requires YAML expertise.

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Conclusion

CICD pipeline tools help developers and QAs to create well-defined processes with high standards to improve quality of your CI CD processes. It is crucial for DevOps and development teams to manage software projects.

Selecting the right one from this CI CD tools list can make or break your DevOps workflow. Even if you’re building enterprise-scale systems or agile mobile apps, this CI/CD tools list gives you many options to streamline builds, testing, and deployments.

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FAQs

Can Github Be Used as a CICD Tool?

Yes. GitHub offers GitHub Actions, a built-in CI/CD service that can automate builds, tests, and deployments directly from your repository.

Is GitLabs Better or Jenkins as a CICD Tool?

GitLab provides an all-in-one platform with built-in CICD, while Jenkins is more flexible and customizable with plugins. Choose GitLab for simplicity and integration, Jenkins for maximum control.

Is Jira or GitLab Better for CI CD?

Jira is a project management tool, not a CI/CD system. GitLab is designed for source control and CI/CD, so it’s the better choice for automation pipelines.

What Are CI/CD Test Automation Tools?

CI/CD test automation tools are platforms that integrate automated testing into the continuous integration and delivery pipeline. They run unit, integration, and end-to-end tests automatically whenever new code is committed, ensuring bugs are caught early and deployments remain stable.

20 Best CICD Pipeline Tools for DevOps and QAs

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