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Developer Tools · head to head

Blacksmith vs ESLint

Blacksmith logo

Blacksmith

Developer Tools

2x faster GitHub Actions with 60% cost savings

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESLint logo

ESLint

Developer Tools

Find and fix problems in JavaScript code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blacksmith per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs; ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blacksmith and ESLint actually diverge.

Attributes where Blacksmith and ESLint differ
AttributeBlacksmithESLint
PlatformsGitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOSBrowser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment
FoundedUnknown2019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Developer Tools).

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 ESLint

Nothing recorded that Blacksmith does not also cover.

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 ESLint
  • Accelerating CI build times for organizations with heavy CI loadnot ESLint
  • Reducing cloud spend on GitHub Actions by 60% or morenot ESLint
  • Supporting ARM architecture builds without GitHub runnersnot ESLint

ESLint

  • Statically analysing JavaScript and JSX to find problems before runtimenot Blacksmith
  • Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot Blacksmith
  • Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot Blacksmith
  • Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot Blacksmith
  • Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot 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

ESLint

  • Slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome
  • Complexity in configuration from scratch, particularly for TypeScript support
  • Limited built-in TypeScript support, requiring separate parsers and coordination with new TypeScript features

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

ESLint

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.

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 ESLint if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
ESLint review

Questions people ask

Is Blacksmith or ESLint better?
Neither clearly leads. Blacksmith starts at Free and ESLint at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blacksmith or ESLint?
Blacksmith starts at Free and ESLint at Free.
Does Blacksmith or ESLint run on more platforms?
Blacksmith runs on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS. ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
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 ESLint is typically brought in for.
What can Blacksmith do that ESLint cannot?
Blacksmith covers Bare metal runners, Multiple OS support, ARM support, Docker layer caching.

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
ESLint: Does ESLint automatically fix code issues?

Many problems ESLint finds can be automatically fixed via the --fix flag. ESLint fixes are syntax-aware so you won't experience errors introduced by traditional find-and-replace algorithms.

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
ESLint: How much does ESLint cost?

ESLint is completely free and open-source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. The project accepts voluntary donations from sponsors.

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
ESLint: Can I write custom ESLint rules?

Yes. You can develop custom rules that work alongside built-in functionality through ESLint's plugin system, allowing complete customization for your project needs.

Source
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