Woodpecker CI vs CircleCI

Self-host swap-in for CircleCI. · Self-host CircleCI · Woodpecker CI on os-alt

Woodpecker CI is one of the open-source self-host replacements for CircleCI — license Apache-2.0, 20min docker-compose (server + runner) to stand up, and $10/mo vps for the server; runners on $5 boxes. Compare against CircleCI's Free 6000 build-minutes/mo; Performance from $15/user/mo + per-minute usage; Scale tier custom below.

	Woodpecker CIopen-source	CircleCIpaid SaaS
Category	Hosted CI/CD	Hosted CI/CD
License / pricing	`Apache-2.0`	Free 6000 build-minutes/mo; Performance from $15/user/mo + per-minute usage; Scale tier custom
Starting price	$0 self-host	$15/user/mo
GitHub	woodpecker-ci/woodpecker ★ 7.02k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	20min docker-compose (server + runner)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$10/mo VPS for the server; runners on $5 boxes.	from $15/user/mo (Free 6000 build-minutes/mo; Performance from $15/user/mo + per-minute usage; Scale tier custom)

Switching from CircleCI to Woodpecker CI

Pull `woodpeckerci/woodpecker-server` and `woodpeckerci/woodpecker-agent`. Pipeline syntax is Drone-derived (`.woodpecker.yml`); CircleCI conversion is the same exercise. Woodpecker is the right pick if you want pure OSS without the looming risk of a license shift on the upstream Drone codebase.

Good fit for: Teams that valued Drone but want a guaranteed-OSS path — Woodpecker has no commercial-tier overhang.
Weak at: Smaller community than Drone; documentation and integrations slightly thinner.
License note: Community fork of Drone (pre-Harness acquisition); fully open source with no enterprise tier.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to CircleCI

Drone CI
Apache-2.020min docker-compose (Drone server + at least one runner)$10-20/mo VPS for the server; runners are separate (one $5 VPS per concurrent build).
Concourse
Apache-2.030min docker-compose (web + worker + Postgres)$15-30/mo VPS — workers eat resources during builds.

In a terminal? npx os-alt circleci prints CircleCI's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Woodpecker CI a free alternative to CircleCI?

Yes — Woodpecker CI is open source under Apache-2.0. Self-host cost: $10/mo VPS for the server; runners on $5 boxes.. CircleCI starts at $15/user/mo (Free 6000 build-minutes/mo; Performance from $15/user/mo + per-minute usage; Scale tier custom).

How long does Woodpecker CI take to set up vs CircleCI?

Self-hosting Woodpecker CI: 20min docker-compose (server + runner). CircleCI is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Woodpecker CI good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Teams that valued Drone but want a guaranteed-OSS path — Woodpecker has no commercial-tier overhang.. Weak at: Smaller community than Drone; documentation and integrations slightly thinner..