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Developer Tools · head to head

Blacksmith vs Klipfolio

Blacksmith logo

Blacksmith

Developer Tools

2x faster GitHub Actions with 60% cost savings

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit BlacksmithFull review
Klipfolio logo

Klipfolio

Business Intelligence

Dashboard and reporting for teams

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit KlipfolioFull review

The short version

  • Blacksmith is a GitHub Actions runner service; Klipfolio is a dashboard and reporting platform.
  • Free plans on both; paid from $0.004/mo and $19/mo.
  • Only Blacksmith lists bare metal runners; only Klipfolio lists pre-built Metrics.
  • Where Blacksmith falls short: per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs.
  • Where Klipfolio falls short: requires Formula knowledge for complex data transformations.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blacksmith and Klipfolio actually diverge.

Attributes where Blacksmith and Klipfolio differ
AttributeBlacksmithKlipfolio
PlatformsGitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOSWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsBusiness Intelligence

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

Not yet recorded: 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 Klipfolio

  • Pre-built Metrics
  • Real-time Data
  • Custom Visualizations
  • Data Modeling
  • TV Display
  • Google Analytics
  • HubSpot
  • Salesforce

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

Klipfolio

  • KPI monitoringnot Blacksmith
  • Real-time dashboardsnot Blacksmith
  • TV dashboardsnot Blacksmith
  • Team metricsnot Blacksmith
  • Client reportingnot 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

Klipfolio

  • Requires Formula knowledge for complex data transformations
  • Dashboard setup is time-consuming with each widget built individually
  • Performance slows with very large datasets or intricate dashboard complexity

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

Klipfolio

Free
  • PowerMetrics FreeFree
    • 3 users
    • 250 metric instances
    • Limited data sources
  • Klips Starter$90/mo
    • 1-5 dashboards
    • Limited data sources
    • Basic customization
  • Klips Professional$350/mo
    • Unlimited dashboards
    • All data connectors
    • Advanced formulas

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 Klipfolio if

  • You need pre-built metrics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-time data.
Klipfolio review

Questions people ask

Is Blacksmith or Klipfolio better?
Neither clearly leads. Blacksmith starts at Free and Klipfolio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blacksmith or Klipfolio?
Blacksmith starts at Free and Klipfolio at Free.
Does Blacksmith or Klipfolio run on more platforms?
Blacksmith runs on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS. Klipfolio runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Klipfolio is typically brought in for.
What can Blacksmith do that Klipfolio cannot?
Blacksmith covers Bare metal runners, Multiple OS support, ARM support, Docker layer caching. Klipfolio covers Pre-built Metrics, Real-time Data, Custom Visualizations, Data Modeling.

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
Klipfolio: What is Klipfolio's pricing model?

Klipfolio offers two products: Klips (original dashboard builder) starting at $90/month, and PowerMetrics (metrics-focused) with a free plan for up to 3 users and 250 metrics. Both offer 14-day free trials.

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
Klipfolio: How many data sources does Klipfolio support?

Klipfolio connects to over 140 data connectors including databases, APIs, spreadsheets, and SaaS applications for seamless data aggregation.

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
Klipfolio: Do I need technical skills to use Klipfolio?

Basic dashboard creation uses drag-and-drop interface, but advanced features require Excel-like formulas and some data transformation knowledge. Non-technical users often need developer help for complex visualizations.

Source
Klipfolio: Can Klipfolio replace Tableau?

Klipfolio works better for smaller teams and faster setup, while Tableau offers deeper analysis and visual sophistication. Klipfolio is more cost-effective; Tableau is more powerful for enterprise analytics.

Source
Klipfolio: Is there a free version of Klipfolio?

PowerMetrics has a free plan supporting 3 users and 250 metric instances. Klips (the dashboard builder) offers a 14-day free trial but no permanent free tier.

Source
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