14 best open source Continuous integration tools
Technology

14 best open source Continuous integration tools

Written by meda

Introduction

Modern software development requires the automatic and frequent building, testing, and deployment of code changes known as continuous integration (CI). Developers frequently use open source CI tools and platforms because of their adaptability, price, and simplicity of customization. And this article examines 14 of the top open source Continuous Integration tools and platforms, detailing their pros and cons and download links, recommended books and certification programs.

1. Jenkins

Jenkins is a widely used open source CI tool that allows users to automate the building, testing, and deployment of software. It offers a plugin architecture that lets users add new features and integrate it with a variety of other tools and technologies. And It is a preferred option for developers due to its simple interface and potent features.

Jenkins supports a number of tools and platforms and some of the tools and platforms that Jenkins supports includes, but not limited to:

Pros:

  • Jenkins is highly flexible, and users may build their own plugins and integrations.
  • It has a huge and active community that offers assistance and frequent updates.
  • Jenkins supports a wide range of programming languages, platforms, and tools.

Cons:

  • Setting up and configuring Jenkins can be challenging, especially for new users.
  • Jenkins may need a dedicated server or other infrastructure because it can be resource-intensive.

And we can download Jenkins from the official website.

Below are some highly recommended books on Jenkins to read :

2. GitLab CI/CD

GitLab CI/CD is a built-in CI/CD tool and is part of the GitLab platform. It enables users to build, test, and deploy their code changes automatically. Besides, it is highly customizable and integrates seamlessly with the GitLab platform, making it easy to set up and use.

GitLab CI/CD supports a number of tools and platforms and some of the tools and platforms that GitLab CI/CD supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Tools: GitLab CI/CD supports deployment tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
  • CI/CD tools: It integrates with various CI/CD tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and Jira.
  • Monitoring and Alerting Tools: It enables us to integrate with monitoring and alerting tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and Sentry.
  • Testing Frameworks: GitLab CI/CD integrates with various testing frameworks such as RSpec, Cucumber, and PHPUnit.
  • Build Tools: It supports various build tools such as Gradle, Maven, and Ant.
  • Source Code Management: GitLab CI/CD integrates with Git, which is the most popular source code management tool.
  • Operating Systems: GitLab CI/CD supports various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Pros:

  • It is highly customizable and flexible.
  • It integrates seamlessly with the GitLab platform.
  • It is suitable for both small and large projects.

Cons:

  • It can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • And it may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And we can download GitLab CI/CD from the official website.

Below are some highly recommended books on GitLab CI/CD to read :

3. TeamCity

TeamCity is an open source CI tool that enables us to build, test, and deploy their code changes automatically.

Users of TeamCity can customize and expand the platform’s capabilities because to its robust and adaptable architecture. Since TeamCity connects with so many different tools and technologies, developers frequently choose it.

TeamCity supports a number of tools and platforms and some of the tools and platforms that TeamCity supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Tools: TeamCity supports deployment tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS CodeDeploy.
  • CI/CD tools:  It integrates with various CI/CD tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and Jira.
  • Monitoring and Alerting Tools: TeamCity can be integrated with monitoring and alerting tools such as Nagios, Prometheus, and Splunk.
  • Testing Frameworks: It integrates with various testing frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, Selenium, and Cucumber.
  • Build Tools: It supports build tools such as Ant, Maven, Gradle, and MSBuild.
  • Source Code Management: TeamCity integrates with popular source code management tools such as Git, Subversion, Mercurial, CVS, and Perforce.
  • Operating Systems: It installs and run on various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Pros:

  • It offers a powerful and flexible platform.
  • It integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies.
  • It offers advanced features such as code coverage analysis and build artifact management.

Cons:

  • It can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • And it may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And we can download TeamCity  from the official website.

Below are some highly recommended books on TeamCity to read :

4. CircleCI

CircleCI is an open source CI tool that enables us to build, test, and deploy their code changes automatically. And It offers a powerful and flexible platform that allows users to customize and extend its functionality. Besides, it integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies, making it a popular choice among developers.

CircleCI supports a number of tools and platforms and some of the tools and platforms that CircleCI supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Tools: CircleCI supports deployment tools such as Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Kubernetes.
  • CI/CD tools: CircleCI can be integrated with various CI/CD tools like Slack, Jira, and Trello.
  • Cloud Providers:  CircleCI supports various cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
  • Testing Frameworks: It integrates with various testing frameworks like JUnit, Selenium, and Cucumber.
  • Build Tools: CircleCI supports build tools like Maven, Gradle, and Ant.
  • Source Code Management: It integrates with popular source code management tools such as GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab.
  • Operating Systems: It supports various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Pros:

  • It offers a powerful and flexible platform.
  • It integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies.
  • It is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • It can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • And It may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And there are multiple installation options for the CircleCI CLI.

Below are some highly recommended books on CircleCI to read :

5. Travis CI

Travis CI is an open source CI tool that enables us to build, test, and deploy their code changes automatically. In addition, It offers a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up and use. Furthermore, it integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers, making it a popular choice among developers.

Some of the tools and platforms that Travis CI supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Tools: Travis CI supports deployment tools such as Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Kubernetes
  • Container Orchestration: It integrates with popular container orchestration platforms such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Collaboration Tools: Travis CI can be integrated with various collaboration tools such as Slack, Jira, and Trello.
  • Cloud Providers: It supports various cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
  • Testing Frameworks: Travis CI integrates with various testing frameworks like JUnit, Selenium, and Cucumber.
  • Source Code Management: Travis CI integrates with popular source code management tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab.
  • Build Tools: Travis CI supports build tools like Maven, Gradle, and Ant.
  • Operating Systems: Travis CI supports various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Pros:

  • It  offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • It is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • Travis CI can be limited in terms of features and functionality.
  • And it may not be suitable for large or complex projects.

And to begin with Travis CI check out the prerequisites and installation steps found on Travis documentation website.

Below are some highly recommended books on Travis CI to read :

6. Jenkins X

Jenkins X is an open source CI/CD tool and is part of the Jenkins ecosystem. And users can automatically develop, test, and release their code modifications using Jenkins X. In addition, it provides a strong and adaptable foundation that enables users to alter and increase its features. And it is a well-liked option among developers because it connects with a wide variety of tools and technologies.

And tools and platforms that Jenkins X supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Monitoring tools:  Integrates with monitoring tools like Prometheus and Grafana to provide visibility into application performance and health.
  • ChatOps tools: Integrates with ChatOps tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.
  • Cloud providers: Supports several cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Kubernetes distributions such as Red Hat OpenShift and Rancher.
  • Deployment Tools: Jenkins X uses Tekton, a Kubernetes-native CI/CD pipeline engine, to build and deploy applications.
  • Source Code Management:  Jenkins X integrates with Git repositories such as GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for source code management and version control.

Pros:

  • It offers a powerful and flexible platform.
  • It integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies.
  • It is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • Jenkins X can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • And it may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And the guides on how to get started and setup Jenkins X can be found on its official website.

Below are some highly recommended books on Jenkins X on Amazon :

7. GoCD

GoCD is an open source CI/CD solution that gives users the ability to automatically build, test, and deploy their code changes. And It provides a strong and adaptable platform that enables users to modify and increase its features. In addition, it is a popular option among developers since it connects with a wide variety of tools and technologies.

And tools and platforms that GoCD supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Platforms: It can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker.
  • Test Frameworks: Supports various testing frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, TestNG, and Mocha.
  • Version Control Systems: Supports several version control systems, including Git, Mercurial, Subversion.
  • Build Tools: Supports various build tools such as Maven, Gradle, Ant, NAnt, Rake, MSBuild, and Xcode.
  • ChatOps tools:  GoCD integrates with popular chat tools such as Slack and HipChat, allowing you to receive notifications and updates on your build pipelines.
  • Configuration Management Tools:  It supports configuration management tools such as Chef, Puppet, and Ansible.
  • Artifact Repositories:  GoCD supports several artifact repositories, such as Nexus, Artifactory, and ProGet, making it easy to store and manage your build artifacts.

Pros:

  • GoCD offers a powerful and flexible platform.
  • It integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies.
  • And it offers advanced features such as pipeline visualization and traceability.

Cons:

  • GoCD can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • And it may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And we can download GoCD from its official website.

Below is  the highly recommended book on GoCD  on Amazon :

8. Buddy

Buddy is a free CI/CD solution that enables users to automatically create, test, and deploy their code modifications. And It has an easy-to-use UI that is both straightforward to set up and operate. In addition, it integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers, making it a popular choice among developers.

And tools and platforms that Buddy supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Code Analysis Tools:  ESLint, Stylelint, and SonarCloud are a few code analysis tools that Buddy supports. The analysis findings can be viewed in the Buddy dashboard after configuring your pipelines to execute these tools automatically.
  • Automation Tools:  Buddy supports automation tools such as Zapier and IFTTT.
  • Build Tools: It supports various build tools such as Node.js, PHP, Python, Ruby, Go, Java, .NET, and Docker.
  • Version Control Systems:  Supports several version control systems, including Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab.
  • Deployment Platforms: Buddy can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and DigitalOcean.
  • Test Frameworks: Supports various testing frameworks such as PHPUnit, Jest, Mocha, and Cypress.
  • Monitoring Tools: You can monitor the functionality and health of your application and infrastructure with Buddy’s integration with monitoring tools like New Relic and Datadog.

Pros:

  • Buddy offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • And it offers advanced features such as pipeline visualization and traceability.

Cons:

  • Buddy can be limited in terms of features and functionality.
  • And it may not be suitable for large or complex projects.

Additionally, Buddy’s official website has instructions for installation.

Below is the highly recommended book on buddy on Amazon :

9. Semaphore

A free CI/CD platform called Semaphore enables users to automatically build, test, and deploy code changes. And It offers a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up and use. In addition, it  integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers, making it a popular choice among developers.

And tools and platforms that Semaphore supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Platforms: Semaphore can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and DigitalOcean.
  • Build Tools: Supports various build tools such as Ruby, Python, Node.js, Elixir, and Rust.
  • Version Control Systems: Supports several version control systems, including Git, GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
  • Test Frameworks:  Supports various testing frameworks such as RSpec, Minitest, Jest, and Cypress.
  • Monitoring Tools: Semaphore integrates with monitoring tools such as New Relic and Datadog.
  • Serverless Platforms: Semaphore supports serverless platforms such as AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Functions.

Pros:

  • Semaphore offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • And it offers advanced features such as parallel testing and deployment strategies.

Cons:

  • It can be limited in terms of features and functionality.
  • And it may not be suitable for large or complex projects.

And there are multiple installation options for the Semaphore.

10. Buildbot

Buildbot is an open source CI/CD solution that enables users to automatically build, test, and deploy their code changes. And It has an easy-to-navigate UI that makes it simple to set up and operate. Besides, it is a well-liked option among developers because it interfaces with a variety of version control systems and cloud providers.

And tools and platforms that Buildbot supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Virtualization Platforms:  Supports virtualization platforms such as VirtualBox and VMware.
  • Monitoring Tools: It integrates with monitoring tools such as Nagios and Prometheus.
  • Version Control Systems: It supports several version control systems, including Git, Subversion, Mercurial, Perforce, and CVS.
  • Build Tools: Buildbot supports various build tools such as Make, Ant, and CMake.
  • Test Frameworks: Buildbot supports various testing frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, and pytest.

Pros:

  • It offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • And it is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • Buildbot can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • Buildbot may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

Additionally, The installation manual can be found from its official website.

11. CodeShip

CodeShip is an open source CI solution that enables users to automatically create, test, and deploy their code changes. And It has a straightforward user interface that makes it simple to set up and operate. Because it connects with so many different version control systems and cloud service providers, CodeShip is a preferred option among developers.

And tools and platforms that CodeShip supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Build Tools:  CodeShip supports various build tools such as Node.js, PHP, Python, Ruby, Go, and Java.
  • Deployment Platforms:  CodeShip can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Docker.
  • Test Frameworks: Supports various testing frameworks such as PHPUnit, Mocha, Jest, and Cypress.
  • Monitoring Tools: CodeShip integrates with monitoring tools such as New Relic and Datadog.
  • Container Tools: CodeShip supports container tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Version Control Systems: CodeShip supports several version control systems, including Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab.

Pros:

  • CodeShip offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • And it is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • CodeShip can be limited in terms of features and functionality.
  • And it may not be suitable for large or complex projects.

12. GitLab Runner

GitLab Runner is an open source CI/CD tool that is part of the GitLab platform. Users may automatically build, test, and deploy changes to their code thanks to GitLab Runner. And It is simple to set up and utilize GitLab Runner because it integrates well with the GitLab platform.

And tools and platforms that GitLab Runner supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Platforms: GitLab Runner can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Kubernetes, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure.
  • Test Frameworks: Supports various testing frameworks such as JUnit, RSpec, and pytest.
  • Monitoring Tools: GitLab Runner integrates with monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK stack.
  • Container Tools: GitLab Runner supports container tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Version Control Systems: GitLab Runner supports Git and GitLab as source code management systems.
  • Build Tools: GitLab Runner supports a wide range of build tools, including Maven, Gradle, Docker, npm, and others.

Pros:

  • GitLab Runner integrates seamlessly with the GitLab platform.
  • It  is highly customizable and flexible.
  • It supports a wide range of platforms and tools.

Cons:

  • GitLab Runner can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • It may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

Additionally, the installation steps of GitLab Runner can be found on its official website.

13. Drone

Drone is an open source CI tool that enables users to build, test, and deploy their code changes automatically. And It has an easy-to-use UI that is both straightforward to set up and operate. Besides, developers frequently choose Drone because it connects with so many different version control systems and cloud service providers.

And tools and platforms that Drone supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Deployment Platforms: Drone can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Kubernetes.
  • Test Frameworks: Supports various testing frameworks such as JUnit, PHPUnit, and Pytest.
  • Container Tools: Drone supports container tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Monitoring Tools:  It integrates with monitoring tools such as Prometheus and Grafana.
  • Version Control Systems: Supports several version control systems, including Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab.

Pros:

  • Drone offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
  • It integrates with a wide range of version control systems and cloud providers.
  • It is highly customizable and flexible.

Cons:

  • Drone can be limited in terms of features and functionality.
  • It may not be suitable for large or complex projects.

For installation setup and guideline, you can check out its official website.

14. Bamboo

Bamboo is an open source continuous integration solution that enables users to automatically build, test, and deploy their code changes. And It is a favorite among developers because it can be easily customized and integrated with many different tools and technologies. In addition, A free plan for open source projects is among the several options that Bamboo offers.

And tools and platforms that Bamboo supports includes, but not limited to:

  • Build Tools: Bamboo supports various build tools such as Ant, Maven, Gradle, and MSBuild.
  • Version Control Systems:  It supports several version control systems, including Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, and Subversion.
  • Deployment Platforms: Bamboo can deploy your application to a wide range of platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Docker.
  • Monitoring Tools: It integrates with monitoring tools such as New Relic and AppDynamics.
  • Container Tools: Bamboo supports container tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Test Frameworks: Bamboo supports various testing frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, and Selenium.

Pros:

  • Bamboo is highly customizable and flexible.
  • It integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies.
  • It offers a free plan for open source projects.

Cons:

  • Bamboo can be complex to set up and configure, especially for beginners.
  • It may require a dedicated server or infrastructure.

And we can download Bamboo  from its Atlassian official website.

Certification programs

There are various certification programs for Continuous Integration and related subjects available.

The following are a some of the most well-liked certification courses:

1. Certified Jenkins Engineer (CJE)

CloudBees, the business that offers paid support for Jenkins, is the provider of the Certified Jenkins Engineer certification program. The course, which covers subjects including installation, configuration, and usage of Jenkins as well as best practices for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery, is meant to assess the abilities and knowledge of Jenkins users.

The exam takes 90 minutes to finish, which has 60 multiple-choice questions. It takes two years to renew the CJE accreditation.

2. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

Amazon Web Services (AWS) presents the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification course.

DevOps engineers that use AWS services for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery will have their knowledge and skills put to the test in this program. Automation, infrastructure as code, monitoring and logging, security and compliance are just a few of the subjects covered on the exam. There are 75 multiple-choice questions on the test, and you have 180 minutes to do it.

3. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation provides a certification program that enables users to prove their proficiency in a practical command-line environment.

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program’s aim is to guarantee that CKAs are capable of carrying out the duties of Kubernetes administrators by ensuring their knowledge, skills, and competency.

4. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

The organization Red Hat, which offers open source software solutions, offers the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification program. DevOps engineers and Linux system administrators are put to the test in this program to see how well they know their stuff.

The test includes questions on subjects like networking, security, automation, and the installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.