When to choose GitHub-Hosted runners or self-hosted runners with GitHub Actions

Automating processes is crucial for improving developer experiences and implementing a successful DevOps strategy, and GitHub Actions provides a platform to facilitate these goals by supporting CI/CD pipelines. Users can choose between GitHub-hosted and self-hosted runners to execute workloads, each with its own advantages and implications. GitHub-hosted runners offer a managed infrastructure with pre-configured virtual machines that are optimized for GitHub Actions, providing simplicity, quick setup, and managed security, making them ideal for users who want to focus more on coding than infrastructure management. In contrast, self-hosted runners require users to manage and secure their own infrastructure, offering greater control and customization, which is beneficial for organizations with specific compliance needs or those that specialize in managing infrastructure solutions. GitHub-hosted runners are generally recommended for most developers due to their ease of use, scalability, and built-in security features, while self-hosted runners may be more suitable for organizations that need dedicated infrastructure management. The decision between the two options should be based on specific organizational needs, resources, and expertise.