Top 10 GitHub actions alternatives: stop optimizing for "price per minute"

In the evolving landscape of DevOps tools, the focus is shifting from merely reducing the cost per compute minute to optimizing overall value through automation, speed, and control. While GitHub Actions has been the default option, new platform fees for self-hosted runners are prompting teams to reassess their strategies. Alternatives like Qovery emphasize reducing cloud waste and eliminating maintenance burdens by automating environment management, which can lead to significant savings despite higher upfront costs. CircleCI offers speed enhancements by drastically reducing build times through test splitting and resource class customization. Other tools like GitLab CI and Jenkins offer comprehensive integration and open-source flexibility but come with their own sets of trade-offs, such as high maintenance or licensing costs. Ultimately, the strategic move is to utilize lightweight CI tools for basic tasks and leverage platforms like Qovery for complex deployments, thereby avoiding hidden costs and maximizing return on investment.