Jenkins or GitHub Actions? Deciding the Right CI/CD Tool for Your Workflow

Introduction

Continuous Integration and Delivery is a key part of any software application. Be it a mobile app, a backend app or a website - everything requires CI/CD to make things easier for everyone. From testing and building code to deploying it across environments, CI/CD tools help simplify workflows, reduce manual tasks, and maintain consistency across the development process.

There are tons of options available in the market when it comes to CICD. Among the many available, Jenkins and GitHub Actions stand out as two of the most popular and effective options. Jenkins has been there for a very long time, is mature and is being used by thousands of teams across the globe.

On the other hand, GitHub Actions is designed to work naturally within GitHub, is comparatively newer and is tightly bound to Github (which can be a deal breaker for some folks).

While both are great - which one do you choose? At KubeNine we are inclined towards Github Actions and we’ll tell you why!

What is Jenkins?

Jenkins is a widely used open-source automation server that helps developers build, test, and deploy applications efficiently. For over a decade, it has been a cornerstone of CI/CD workflows, providing teams with the tools needed to automate repetitive tasks.

Supported by a massive community, Jenkins offers an extensive plugin library with over 1,800 plugins, allowing it to integrate with a wide range of open-source and enterprise tools to handle diverse automation needs.

Despite the rise of CI/CD tools like GitLab CI and GitHub Actions, Jenkins is a popular choice among organizations due to its flexibility and extensive capabilities.

According to the Developer Ecosystem Report, 54% of developers rely on Jenkins for their CI/CD needs, showcasing its enduring relevance in the industry.

Below is the architectural diagram of Jenkins:

What is GitHub Actions?

GitHub Actions is an automation tool built directly into GitHub, allowing developers to create workflows for building, testing, and deploying applications.

It simplifies the process of setting up Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) by using YAML-based configuration files stored in the same repository as the code. Also, its completely managed so the users do not have to worry about setting up and managing any instance. This makes it particularly attractive.

One of the key strengths of GitHub Actions is its flexibility. Developers can choose from a vast marketplace of pre-built actions that connect with various tools and services, enabling efficient automation without needing to start from scratch.

GitHub Actions is quickly gaining popularity in the CI/CD space. According to the Developer Ecosystem Report, 51% of developers use GitHub Actions regularly for CI/CD tasks, making it the second most widely adopted tool after Jenkins. Its adoption is especially prominent in personal projects, where 37% of developers rely on it. The simplicity of its setup and its native connection with GitHub repositories make it a go-to choice for many developers and small teams.

GitHub Actions also plays a significant role in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) by automating repetitive tasks like testing and deployment. This not only saves time but also helps developers maintain focus on coding.

Below is the architectural diagram of GitHub Actions, which shows how it operates in a CI/CD pipeline setup:

Quick Comparison Between Jenkins and GitHub Actions

Building and Pushing a Docker Image: Jenkins vs. GitHub Actions

Let’s walk through the process of setting up a pipeline for both Jenkins and GitHub Actions to build a Docker image and push it to a Docker repository. By comparing the steps, we can better understand the ease of use, setup complexity, and overall user experience.

Setting Up Jenkins: Build and Push Pipeline

We will use Helm to install Jenkins on a Kubernetes cluster and create a pipeline for building and pushing a Docker image.

Steps to Install and Configure Jenkins:

1. Install Jenkins Using Helm

• Add the Jenkins Helm repository:

helm repo add jenkins https://charts.jenkins.io helm repo update

• Install Jenkins on your Kubernetes cluster:

helm install jenkins jenkins/jenkins --namespace jenkins --create-namespace

• Retrieve the admin password:

kubectl exec --namespace jenkins -it svc/jenkins -c jenkins -- /bin/cat /run/secrets/chart-admin-password

• Access Jenkins at http://<Jenkins_IP>:8080 and log in using the admin credentials.

2. Install Required Plugins

• Go to Manage Jenkins > Plugins and install the required plugins, such as Pipeline and Docker Pipeline.

3. Set Up Docker on Jenkins Node

• Ensure Docker is installed on the Jenkins agent node.
• Add the Jenkins user to the Docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker jenkins

4. Create a Pipeline for Docker Build and Push

• In Jenkins, create a new Pipeline item.
• Add the following script to your pipeline configuration (replace placeholders with your values):

pipeline {
    agent any
    environment {
        DOCKER_USERNAME = credentials('docker-username')
        DOCKER_PASSWORD = credentials('docker-password')
    }
    stages {
        stage('Checkout') {
            steps {
                git url: 'https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git'
            }
        }
        stage('Build Docker Image') {
            steps {
                sh 'docker build -t your-username/your-image:latest .'
            }
        }
        stage('Push to Docker Hub') {
            steps {
                sh 'docker login -u $DOCKER_USERNAME -p $DOCKER_PASSWORD'
                sh 'docker push your-username/your-image:latest'
            }
        }
    }
}

Run the Pipeline

• Save the pipeline and click Build Now to execute the steps. Jenkins will:

1. Pull the source code from your repository.
2. Build a Docker image.
3. Push the image to your Docker repository.

Setting Up GitHub Actions: Build and Push Workflow

GitHub Actions makes it easier to define workflows directly in the repository using YAML files.

Steps to Configure GitHub Actions:

1. Add a Workflow File

• In your repository, create a folder .github/workflows if it doesn’t exist.
• Add a file named docker-build-push.yml.

2. Define the Workflow

• Add the following workflow to the file (replace placeholders with your values):

name: Build and Push Docker Image

on:
  push:
    branches: [ "main" ]

jobs:
  build-and-push:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Check out the repository
        uses: actions/checkout@v2

      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
        uses: docker/login-action@v2
        with:
          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USERNAME }}
          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_PASSWORD }}

      - name: Build and Push Docker Image
        run: |
          docker build -t your-username/your-image:latest .
          docker push your-username/your-image:latest

3. Add Secrets

• Go to your repository’s Settings > Secrets and variables > Actions.
• Add two secrets:
  - DOCKER_USERNAME (your Docker Hub username)
  - DOCKER_PASSWORD (your Docker Hub password)

4. Commit and Push Changes

• Push your changes to the main branch.
• GitHub Actions will automatically run the workflow, building the Docker image and pushing it to Docker Hub.

From a practical perspective and based on our experience, we’ve worked extensively with both Jenkins and GitHub Actions, offering services to set up and manage both tools for different teams and projects. What we’ve observed is that there’s nothing wrong with choosing either tool—it all comes down to your unique requirements. The question is:

Which One Is Better: Jenkins or GitHub Actions?

There’s no such thing as a universally “better” tool in the world of CI/CD. However at KubeNine we are inclined more towards Github Actions. The right choice entirely depends on your team’s requirements, project scale, and infrastructure needs

When Jenkins Might Be the Better Option

Jenkins is ideal if you need a self-hosted solution where everything is completely under your control. You can install Jenkins from scratch and configure it to suit your exact requirements.

It has a rich ecosystem of over 1,800 plugins, allowing integration with countless tools and services. Whether you need advanced pipeline customization, on-premises hosting, or compliance with strict organizational policies, Jenkins gives you the flexibility to achieve it all.

However, it’s worth noting that the support for plugins in Jenkins has seen a decline in recent years.

Some plugins are not actively maintained, and keeping them updated can become a challenge. Additionally, the manual setup and maintenance required for Jenkins can be time-consuming, especially for teams that are new to CI/CD. 

When GitHub Actions Might Be the Better Option

GitHub Actions is a great choice if you’re looking for something simple and fast. Unlike Jenkins, it doesn’t require a complex setup process. As we demonstrated in the pipeline example above, all you need is a YAML file in your repository.

You simply define the steps, like building a Docker image or running tests, and GitHub handles the rest for you.

For instance, in our example, setting up a pipeline in GitHub Actions was as easy as writing a few lines of YAML. Want to build a Docker image? Just add one line to specify the Docker build action.

Need to push the image to Docker Hub? Add another action for Docker login and push. It’s all optimized for simplicity and speed, making it especially appealing for small to medium-sized teams or personal projects.

If you need more control, GitHub Actions also supports self-hosted runners. This allows you to host your workflows on dedicated virtual machines or servers, ensuring enhanced security and compliance.

For example, in sensitive environments like banking or healthcare, where dedicated VMs are required for better isolation and control, self-hosted runners provide a strong alternative to Jenkins.

Key Considerations:

Final Thoughts

• Choose Jenkins if:
  • You require complete control over your CI/CD environment.
  • Your workflows are highly complex and need extensive customization.
  • Your organization has the infrastructure to maintain Jenkins servers and manage plugin updates.
• Choose GitHub Actions if:
  • You want a quick and straightforward CI/CD solution.
  • Your projects are hosted on GitHub, and you prefer everything in one ecosystem.
  • You’re looking for a scalable solution without the burden of managing infrastructure.

Do You Really Need to Switch from Jenkins to GitHub Actions?

Github Actions might look cool and enticing but don’t switch to just because it looks cool. If your CI/CD pipelines are already fully set up in Jenkins, running smoothly, and your team is comfortable with the tool, there’s no strong reason to switch just for the sake of it. Based on what we’ve discussed so far, such a move may be unnecessary and could lead to additional effort without significant benefits.

However, if you’re starting fresh—whether in a new company or a new project—and your code is hosted on GitHub, GitHub Actions becomes an obvious choice. It’s easy to set up, integrates natively with GitHub repositories, and provides modern features that align well with today’s DevOps workflows. For teams just getting started, GitHub Actions is undoubtedly the more convenient and efficient option.

Ultimately, the need to switch depends on your specific situation. If Jenkins is working well for your team, stick with it. But if you’re looking for a simpler, GitHub-centric solution for new projects, GitHub Actions is the way to go.

Are There Alternatives to Jenkins and GitHub Actions?

Yes, there are several other CI/CD tools available, each designed for different workflows and requirements. Here are four popular alternatives:

1. GitLab CI/CD

Built into GitLab, this tool helps automate builds, tests, and deployments for projects hosted on GitLab.

2. Azure DevOps Pipelines

Microsoft’s CI/CD solution that integrates well with Azure services and supports multiple repositories.

3. CircleCI

A cloud-based CI/CD tool known for its simplicity and support for Docker-based workflows.

4. Bitbucket Pipelines

Atlassian’s CI/CD solution for Bitbucket repositories, tightly integrated with other Atlassian tools.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CI/CD tool depends entirely on your team’s requirements and project needs. Both Jenkins and GitHub Actions have unique strengths—Jenkins offers unmatched control and customization, while GitHub Actions provides simplicity and speed, especially for GitHub-hosted projects.

Along with alternatives like GitLab CI/CD, Azure DevOps Pipelines, CircleCI, and Bitbucket Pipelines, there are plenty of options to fit various workflows.

At Kubenine, we provide services to help you set up infrastructure, automate CI/CD pipelines, and manage cloud-native environments.

Our mission is to handle these technical complexities so you can focus entirely on your product. Whether you need a Jenkins-based solution, GitHub Actions workflows, or support with other tools.