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GitHub Actions vs PocketBase

GitHub Actions logo

GitHub Actions

Software

Automate your software workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

Software

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GitHub Actions and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where GitHub Actions and PocketBase differ
AttributeGitHub ActionsPocketBase
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20082021

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

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 GitHub Actions

Nothing recorded that PocketBase does not also cover.

Only in PocketBase

  • REST API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • File storage
  • Go support
  • Docker support

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 PocketBase
  • Automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repositorynot PocketBase
  • Scheduled maintenance jobs and repository automationnot PocketBase

PocketBase

  • Embedded realtime database with REST APInot GitHub Actions
  • Backend-as-a-service for single-file deploymentsnot GitHub Actions
  • Rapid application development with email/OAuth2 authenticationnot GitHub Actions
  • File storage and media attachment managementnot GitHub Actions
  • Lightweight alternative to Firebase or traditional backend infrastructurenot GitHub Actions
  • Go and JavaScript customisable application frameworknot 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

PocketBase

  • Not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • Full backward compatibility not guaranteed before v1.0.0 (breaking changes possible with version updates)
  • Pull requests for new features are disabled due to spam concerns (feature contributions limited)

Pricing, plan by plan

GitHub Actions

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GitHub Actions review.

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GitHub Actions if

  • You want to start without paying.
GitHub Actions review

Choose PocketBase if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is GitHub Actions or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. GitHub Actions starts at Free and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GitHub Actions or PocketBase?
GitHub Actions starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does GitHub Actions or PocketBase run on more platforms?
GitHub Actions runs on Web. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use GitHub Actions for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can GitHub Actions do that PocketBase cannot?
PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite.
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Related pages

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