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Blacksmith vs DataGrip

Blacksmith logo

Blacksmith

Developer Tools

2x faster GitHub Actions with 60% cost savings

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit BlacksmithFull review
DataGrip logo

DataGrip

Databases

Cross-platform database IDE from JetBrains for SQL and NoSQL databases

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit DataGripFull review

The short version

  • Blacksmith is a GitHub Actions runner service.
  • Free plans on both; paid from $0.004/mo and $8.25/mo.
  • Only Blacksmith lists bare metal runners; only DataGrip lists intelligent SQL Completion.
  • Where Blacksmith falls short: per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs.
  • Where DataGrip falls short: commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blacksmith and DataGrip actually diverge.

Attributes where Blacksmith and DataGrip differ
AttributeBlacksmithDataGrip
PlatformsGitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOSWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDatabases

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Blacksmith, founded for Blacksmith.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blacksmith

  • Bare metal runners
  • Multiple OS support
  • ARM support
  • Docker layer caching
  • Sticky disks
  • GitHub Actions observability
  • Free tier
  • Static IPs

Only in DataGrip

  • Intelligent SQL Completion
  • Schema Navigation
  • Data Editor
  • Version Control for Scripts
  • Multi-database Support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blacksmith

  • Replacing GitHub Actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructurenot DataGrip
  • Accelerating CI build times for organizations with heavy CI loadnot DataGrip
  • Reducing cloud spend on GitHub Actions by 60% or morenot DataGrip
  • Supporting ARM architecture builds without GitHub runnersnot DataGrip

DataGrip

  • Writing and running SQL queries across multiple database enginesnot Blacksmith
  • Browsing and editing schema and table data visuallynot Blacksmith
  • Version-controlling database migration scriptsnot Blacksmith
  • Standardizing database tooling across a JetBrains-based teamnot Blacksmith

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blacksmith

  • Per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs
  • macOS M4 pricing ($0.08/min) is significantly higher than GitHub Actions
  • Docker layer caching and sticky disks are paid add-ons at $0.50/GB/mo
  • Static IP add-on costs $100/IP/mo

DataGrip

  • Commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only
  • No built-in database administration features like backup scheduling found in dedicated DBA tools
  • Heavier resource footprint than lightweight single-purpose SQL clients
  • NoSQL support (e.g. MongoDB) is less mature than its relational database tooling

Pricing, plan by plan

Blacksmith

Free
  • Ubuntu x64$0.004/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • Ubuntu ARM$0.0025/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • Windows x64$0.008/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • macOS M4$0.08/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads

DataGrip

Free
  • Free (non-commercial)Free
    • Personal, non-commercial use only
  • Individual - Year 1$99/yr
    • Full DataGrip license
    • Free updates during subscription
  • Individual - Year 2+$79/yr
    • Continuity discount from second year onward

Which should you pick?

Choose Blacksmith if

  • You need bare metal runners.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want multiple os support.
Blacksmith review

Choose DataGrip if

  • You need intelligent sql completion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want schema navigation.
DataGrip review

Questions people ask

Is Blacksmith or DataGrip better?
Neither clearly leads. Blacksmith starts at Free and DataGrip at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blacksmith or DataGrip?
Blacksmith starts at Free and DataGrip at Free.
Does Blacksmith or DataGrip run on more platforms?
Blacksmith runs on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS. DataGrip runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Blacksmith for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blacksmith best used for?
Blacksmith is most often used for replacing github actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructure, accelerating ci build times for organizations with heavy ci load, reducing cloud spend on github actions by 60% or more, supporting arm architecture builds without github runners. Of those, replacing github actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructure and accelerating ci build times for organizations with heavy ci load are not what DataGrip is typically brought in for.
What can Blacksmith do that DataGrip cannot?
Blacksmith covers Bare metal runners, Multiple OS support, ARM support, Docker layer caching. DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion, Schema Navigation, Data Editor, Version Control for Scripts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blacksmith: How much do Blacksmith runners cost compared to GitHub Actions?

Blacksmith offers 60-75% cost savings depending on OS. Ubuntu x64 costs $0.004/min vs GitHub at $0.012/min. All plans include 3,000 free minutes monthly.

Source
DataGrip: Is DataGrip free for personal use?

JetBrains introduced a free non-commercial license for DataGrip in October 2025, allowing personal use, while commercial use still requires a paid annual or monthly subscription.

Source
Blacksmith: Can I use Docker layer caching with Blacksmith?

Yes, Docker layer caching is available as an add-on at $0.50/GB/mo. Managed Docker layer persistence is included with the base service.

Source
DataGrip: Who qualifies for the free non-commercial license?

Only individuals are eligible, for uses like learning, open-source work, or content creation. Anyone paid by an employer, including at a non-profit, must use a commercial license instead.

Source
Blacksmith: What is the SLA for Enterprise plans?

Enterprise Blacksmith plans include a 99.9% SLA guarantee along with 24/7 priority support, dedicated Slack channels, white-glove onboarding, and CI optimization support.

Source
DataGrip: How long does the free non-commercial license last?

It lasts one year and auto-renews if DataGrip was used at least once in the final six months; otherwise you can simply reapply for a new license.

Source
DataGrip: Does the free license have fewer features than the paid version?

No, it is a full-featured IDE identical to the paid version, though it requires anonymized telemetry sharing that cannot be opted out of under the non-commercial agreement.

Source
DataGrip: Can I use DataGrip offline with the free license?

No, activation requires logging into a JetBrains Account; offline activation codes are not available for the free non-commercial license.

Source
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