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Testing · head to head

GitHub Actions vs IAR Embedded Workbench

GitHub Actions logo

GitHub Actions

Testing

Automate your software workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IAR Embedded Workbench logo

IAR Embedded Workbench

Developer Tools

Complete toolchain for embedded software development

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GitHub Actions has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GitHub Actions private repository usage is capped at 2,000 minutes per month on GitHub Free and 3,000 on Pro and Team, with anything beyond billed; IAR Embedded Workbench no pricing information published on product page; prospective customers directed to free trial or sales contact only

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GitHub Actions and IAR Embedded Workbench actually diverge.

Attributes where GitHub Actions and IAR Embedded Workbench differ
AttributeGitHub ActionsIAR Embedded Workbench
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
CategoryTestingDeveloper Tools
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated).

What people use each for

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

GitHub Actions

  • Running CI builds and tests on pushes and pull requestsnot IAR Embedded Workbench
  • Automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repositorynot IAR Embedded Workbench
  • Scheduled maintenance jobs and repository automationnot IAR Embedded Workbench

IAR Embedded Workbench

  • Embedded software development and debuggingnot GitHub Actions
  • Compiler and linker tools for embedded systemsnot GitHub Actions
  • Multi-architecture embedded development supportnot GitHub Actions

Where each one falls short

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

GitHub Actions

  • Private repository usage is capped at 2,000 minutes per month on GitHub Free and 3,000 on Pro and Team, with anything beyond billed
  • Artifact storage is only 500 MB on GitHub Free and 2 GB on Team, and it is shared with GitHub Packages storage
  • Larger runners are always charged for, even on public repositories and even when plan quota remains
  • Windows runners cost $0.010 per minute against $0.006 for a 2-core Linux runner, so the same workflow costs more per platform
  • macOS runners are charged at a higher per-minute rate than Linux runners
  • Failed runs consume minutes, so a job that fails after 5 minutes and is re-run for 10 uses 15 minutes of quota
  • Storage is billed on hourly accrual in GB-Hours, so deleting artifacts stops future charges but does not remove charges already accrued in the cycle
  • Cache storage is a separate 10 GB per repository allowance and peak hourly usage above it is charged
  • Minutes are charged to the repository owner, not the person who triggered the run, and anyone with write access can trigger runs
  • Without a valid payment method on file, workflows are blocked as soon as the quota is exhausted

IAR Embedded Workbench

  • No pricing information published on product page; prospective customers directed to free trial or sales contact only
  • Pricing model not specified; customers must request quote or try free trial to understand licensing costs
  • Embedded development tools typically require expensive licenses, but specific IAR costs unavailable online

Pricing, plan by plan

GitHub Actions

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2,000 CI/CD minutes per month
    • Free for public repositories
  • Team$4/month
    • 3,000 CI/CD minutes per month
    • Free for public repositories
    • First 12 months at promotional rate
  • Enterprise$21/month
    • 50,000 CI/CD minutes per month
    • Free for public repositories
    • First 12 months at promotional rate

IAR Embedded Workbench

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the IAR Embedded Workbench review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GitHub Actions if

  • You want to start without paying.
GitHub Actions review

Choose IAR Embedded Workbench if

Nothing in the data separates IAR Embedded Workbench from GitHub Actions on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

IAR Embedded Workbench review

Questions people ask

Is GitHub Actions or IAR Embedded Workbench better?
Neither clearly leads. GitHub Actions starts at Free and IAR Embedded Workbench at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GitHub Actions or IAR Embedded Workbench?
GitHub Actions has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GitHub Actions and On request for IAR Embedded Workbench.
Does GitHub Actions or IAR Embedded Workbench run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use GitHub Actions for free?
Yes. GitHub Actions has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IAR Embedded Workbench starts at On request.
What is GitHub Actions best used for?
GitHub Actions is most often used for running ci builds and tests on pushes and pull requests, automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repository, scheduled maintenance jobs and repository automation. Of those, running ci builds and tests on pushes and pull requests and automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repository are not what IAR Embedded Workbench is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GitHub Actions: How much does GitHub Actions cost?

GitHub Actions is free for public repositories. For private repositories, the Team plan costs $4 per user per month (first 12 months) with 3,000 CI/CD minutes, and the Enterprise plan costs $21 per user per month (first 12 months) with 50,000 CI/CD minutes.

Source
IAR Embedded Workbench: How much does IAR Embedded Workbench cost?

IAR Embedded Workbench pricing is not published on the product page. Prospective customers are directed to free trials or must contact the sales team to request pricing.

Source
GitHub Actions: Is there a free version of GitHub Actions?

Yes, GitHub Actions is free for all public repositories. The Free plan for private repositories includes 2,000 CI/CD minutes per month. All tiers include free CI/CD minutes for public repository workflows.

Source
IAR Embedded Workbench: Does IAR Embedded Workbench offer a free trial?

Free trials are available for IAR Embedded Workbench evaluation at https://www.iar.com/embedded-development-tools/free-trials, though specific trial length and limitations are not detailed on the product page.

Source
GitHub Actions: What does the Team plan add to GitHub Actions?

The Team plan provides 3,000 CI/CD minutes per month compared to 2,000 on the Free plan. It costs $4 per user per month for the first 12 months. Minutes apply only to private repository workflows.

Source
IAR Embedded Workbench: What is the pricing model for IAR Embedded Workbench?

The pricing model is not disclosed on the product page. Customers must contact the sales team to obtain quotes and understand licensing terms.

Source
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