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CI/CD Tools

CI/CD tools automate the processes of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD), streamlining the building, testing, and deployment of software updates across various platforms and environments.

Top 5 CI/CD Tools

topchoice
Appcircle logo

Appcircle

  • All-in-one mobile CI/CD platform
  • 100+ mobile specific integrations
  • Continuous testing integration
  • Centralized Signing Identity management
  • Supports easy distribution to testers
  • Supports in-house distribution
  • Automated, customizable, and secure app release process
  • Latest build stacks available within 24 hours
azure devops logo

Azure DevOps

  • Limited mobile-specific capabilities
  • No built-in app distribution to testers
  • No fully customizable publish-to-store automation
github actions logo

GitHub Actions

  • Limited mobile-specific capabilities
  • No centralized signing identities management
  • Requires manual macOS maintenance
github actions logo

GitLab CI/CD

  • Limited mobile-specific capabilities
  • No centralized signing identities management
  • Lacks in-house distribution support
jenkins logo

Jenkins

  • Limited mobile-specific capabilities
  • Heavy reliance on plugins for core functionality
  • Lacks out-of-the-box continuous testing integration

How to choose

your CI/CD Tool ?

End-to-End Platform

Many platforms offer only limited functionality for tasks such as building and publishing to app stores. If you plan to use these features, make sure the platform includes robust, comprehensive modules for Build , Signing Identity Management, Testing Distribution, Enterprise App Store, and Publishing to Stores to fully address your needs.

Modular by Design

Appcircle's modular architecture lets you license only the components you need, from Build and Continuous Testing to Enterprise App Store and Publishing. Each module works independently, optimizing your CI/CD workflows without extra overhead while enabling seamless expansion as your requirements grow.

Intelligent Build Caching

Appcircle's Cache Push and Cache Pull components dramatically reduce build times by automatically saving and reusing build artifacts, dependencies, and compiled data. Pre-configured paths for Android Gradle and iOS CocoaPods provide immediate optimization, while advanced cache sharing between pipelines enables seamless team collaboration.

Continuous Testing Integration

Comprehensive testing capabilities are essential for maintaining app quality throughout the development lifecycle. Appcircle provides integrated continuous testing solutions for iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter applications, enabling automated testing workflows that seamlessly integrate with your CI/CD pipeline. From unit tests to UI testing, ensure your apps meet quality standards before distribution.

CI Integration

Seamless integration with existing CI/CD tools is supported. Appcircle offers ready-to-use plugins for Azure DevOps , GitHub , Fastlane , Jenkins , and more. With API and CLI support, you can easily integrate Appcircle distribution into your existing CI workflows.

Distribution Speed & Security

Multi-region secure CDNs make your app builds globally accessible with optimized performance, even in regions with strict or unique internet regulations. With encryption at rest and in transit, your packages are distributed securely across all environments.

Flexible Deployment Options

Every enterprise is unique and may require different deployment models, such as Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, or on-premise solutions. Appcircle addresses these needs with a portable, container-based architecture that aligns with your specific deployment strategy. Whether you choose to deploy on GCP Public Cloud, on-premise, or through private listings on the AWS and Microsoft Azure Marketplaces, Appcircle is designed to meet your requirements.

IAM/SSO Integration

Appcircle delivers comprehensive security with built-in IAM and SSO integration, supporting leading identity providers such as Okta, Azure AD, and OneLogin, along with authentication protocols like LDAP, OpenID, and SAML. Role mapping through LDAP and SSO allows seamless role and permission assignments based on identity provider groups, ensuring consistent and secure access control.

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Appcircle

azure devops logo

Azure DevOps

github actions logo

GitHub Actions

gitlab ci/cd logo

Gitlab CI/CD

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Jenkins

Out-of-the-box Support for Mobile Platforms
Ready-to-use pipelines for iOS (Obj-C / Swift), Android (Java / Kotlin), React Native, Flutter, .Net MAUI, Ionic
Needs to connect to each provider through plugins
Templates for iOS (Swift), Android, Xamarin
Templates for iOS (Swift), Android, Flutter
No out-of-the-box support; everything must be manually set up using open-source plugins
Latest Stack Availability
New Xcode versions available within 24h, selectable from a dropdown
No promise
No promise
No promise
Must be handled manually
Clean Build Architecture
Product designed to use clean build architecture for every build, every time
Must be set up manually
Must be set up manually
Must be set up manually
Must be set up manually
Advanced Build Caching
Cache Push and Cache Pull components for advanced caching and file sharing between pipelines
Caching can be configured
Caching can be configured
Caching can be configured
Must be handled manually
Natively Supported Git Providers
GitHub, Github Enterprise, Bitbucket, Bitbucket (Self-Hosted), GitLab, GitLab (Self-Managed), Azure Cloud, Azure Self-hosted, SSH
GitHub, Github Enterprise, Bitbucket Cloud, Bitbucket Server, Azure Cloud, Azure Self-hosted, SSH
GitHub, GitHub Enterprise, SSH
GitLab, GitHub, GitHub Enterprise, Bitbucket Cloud, Bitbucket Server, FogBugz, Gitea, SSH
GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, Gitea, Tuleap via plugins, SSH
Webhooks (Event-Driven Automation)
Webhooks can be set for events such as code pushes, pull requests, and tag creations. In addition, webhook connections are handled automatically for certain Git providers
Webhooks can be set for events such as repo creation, pull requests, service connections and more, but should be set up manually
Triggers on events like code pushes, pull requests, GitHub Pages builds, or adding a team member, but should be set up manually
Can be set for events such as push, tag, comment, pipeline, and more, but should be set up manually
All webhooks must be set up manually
Triggering Options (Manual, On Commit, Scheduled, API)
Automatic triggers on commits, PRs, and tags, plus scheduled triggers via plugins
Automatic triggers on single or multiple events, scheduled plugins, and triggers when a file path changes
Automatic on single/multiple events, scheduled via cron, manual, or from another workflow
Supports multiple trigger options but triggers must be set up via API calls
Must be set up manually
Environment Setup
Can create different workflows and configurations for each environment
Define environments and reference them in your pipeline, hard to distinguish between environment configurations and manage them effectively
Define environments and reference them in your pipeline, hard to distinguish between environment configurations and manage them effectively
Define environments and reference them in your pipeline, hard to distinguish between environment configurations and manage them effectively
Via environment dashboard plugin or directly in Jenkinsfile, hard to distinguish between environment configurations and manage them effectively
YAML/No YAML
Supports both YAML and no-YAML with drag-and-drop pipeline configuration
Supports both YAML and no-YAML with Classic Editor
Supports YAML only
Supports YAML only
Supports pipeline-as-code only; requires a Jenkinsfile
Build Pipeline Configuration
Manage builds using GUI drag-and-drop interface
Define builds via YAML files or GUI
Defined via custom or template .yml files
Use your own .yml file or select a template
Defined via Jenkinsfile
Ready-to-Use Mobile Development Steps
100+ workflow steps tailored for mobile app build, distribution, and publishing, including code signing and versioning
Fewer than 20 tasks directly related to mobile app build, distribution, and publishing to stores
320+ actions for mobile development
Components not focused on mobile app build, distribution, or publishing
40+ plugins for mobile development
Custom Script Support
Ruby and Bash support
Any language supported, but pipeline integration must be handled by the developer
Write custom Docker container actions or JavaScript actions
Any language supported, as long as the necessary runners are available on the runner
Write scripts and include them in Jenkinsfile
Security & Vulnerability Scanning
Yes, via ready-to-use workflow steps or custom scripts
Available via tasks
Via third-party tools or custom workflow scripts
Built-in support
Via plugins
Code Coverage Reporting
Yes, via unit and UI test workflow steps
Yes, via tasks
Via third-party tools or custom workflow scripts
Available by adding to pipeline configurations
Via plugins
Support for Various Testing Frameworks
Ready-to-use plugins for mobile development tests; any test framework via custom scripts
Supports testing using built-in tasks or custom scripts
Yes, via Actions
Ready-to-use components in the catalog
Yes, via plugins
Ability to Run Tests on Different Environments/Devices
Via integrations; can send to TestFlight via Publish module, etc.
Uses matrix strategy by setting up different configurations
Yes, via Actions
Use matrix strategy by setting up different configurations
Yes, via plugins
Signing Identities Management
Centralized management for Apple certificates, Apple profiles, and keystores
No centralized management; code signing limited to uploading certificates/keystores
No centralized management; code signing limited to uploading certificates/keystores
No centralized management; code signing limited to uploading certificates/keystores
No centralized management; code signing only available using plugins
Automatic Versioning
Versioning handled automatically via workflow steps and customizable based on strategy
Basic versioning is supported, but advanced versioning must be handled by developers
No out-of-the-box support; but available via actions
No out-of-the-box support; versioning automation must be handled by developers, which can be a tedious process
No out-of-the-box support; versioning automation must be handled by developers, which can be a tedious process
App Distribution to Testers
Appcircle has its own testing distribution module; can also connect to external third-party delivery systems like Firebase App Distribution, etc.
Can connect to external third-party delivery systems like Firebase App Distribution, etc.
Can connect to external third-party delivery systems like Firebase App Distribution, etc.
Can connect to external third-party delivery systems like Firebase App Distribution, etc.
Can connect to external third-party delivery systems like Firebase App Distribution, etc.
Testing Group Support
Yes; offers a module covering all needs for distributing apps to testers, including a UI-friendly portal, SSO/LDAP integration, re-signing, versioning, etc.
No
No
No
No
Branded App Store for In-House App Distribution
Yes, offers a branded app store for in-house app distribution
No
No
No
No
Automated Delivery
Yes; can create pipelines with both YAML and UI
Via Releases by setting up your own pipeline; does not support YAML
Available but must be manually set up in .yml
Available but must be manually set up in .yml
Yes, but must be manually set up in Jenkinsfile
Publish to App Store Automation
Yes; fully customizable publish-to-store pipeline
Yes; via tasks
Yes; pipeline must be set up using actions related to publishing
Yes; pipeline must be set up accordingly
Yes; pipeline must be set up accordingly
Access Control
Offers various login options, including SAML and OpenID SSO; Two-Factor Authentication also available for increased security
Via Microsoft Entra ID; requires learning another tool
Fine-grained access control
Offers various login options, including SAML and OpenID SSO; Two-Factor Authentication also available for increased security
Yes, via plugins
LDAP Group/Role Mapping
Supports LDAP group/role mapping for seamless integration with your organization's directory services, enabling effective and automated tester group management
Via Microsoft Entra ID; requires learning another tool
Not natively supported
Supports LDAP group/role mapping
Yes, via plugins
SSO Login
OpenID & SAML
Uses Microsoft Entra ID; requires learning another tool
OpenID & SAML
OpenID & SAML
OpenID & SAML via plugins
Deployment Options
Public Cloud, Private Cloud, On-premise, Self-hosted
Cloud and self-hosted
Cloud and self-hosted runners
Cloud, GitLab Self-Managed, GitLab Dedicated
Self-hosted
Industry Certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR)
SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Not applicable; open-source downloadable software
Pricing Model
Free tier or tailored pricing
Pay-as-you-go pricing
Multiple tiers from Free to Enterprise
Free, Premium, Ultimate tiers
Free
License
Closed Source License; Open-source Workflow Steps
Closed Source License; some Open-source Tasks
Closed source Platform; Open-source CI/CD actions
Closed Source License; Open-source CI/CD components
Open-source
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FAQs

+What is a CI/CD Platform?

+What is a DevOps Platform?

+How does a DevOps platform differ from CI/CD?

+What is the difference between Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery?

+Can CI/CD be used for mobile app development?

+What are the benefits of CI/CD for mobile development?

+What are the challenges of mobile CI/CD?

+What are CI/CD best practices?

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