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Software Development · head to head

SonarQube Cloud vs TeamCity

SonarQube Cloud logo

SonarQube Cloud

Software Development

Cloud-based static code analysis for detecting bugs, vulnerabilities, and code smells.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TeamCity logo

TeamCity

Software Development

JetBrains continuous integration and delivery server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SonarQube Cloud free tier limited to 50k lines of code for private projects.; TeamCity detailed pricing requires visiting a calculator and isn't transparent on the main pricing page.
  • They diverge on capability: SonarQube Cloud covers Static code analysis, TeamCity covers Build Chains.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SonarQube Cloud and TeamCity actually diverge.

Attributes where SonarQube Cloud and TeamCity differ
AttributeSonarQube CloudTeamCity
Platformsweb, apiweb, windows, mac, linux, api

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Software Development).

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 SonarQube Cloud

  • Static code analysis
  • Secrets detection
  • Pull request decoration
  • AI-driven code fixes
  • Compliance reporting
  • SCM integration

Only in TeamCity

  • Build Chains
  • Parallel Test Execution
  • VCS Integration
  • Build History & Analytics
  • Docker & Kubernetes Support
  • Access Control

What people use each for

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

SonarQube Cloud

  • Enforcing code quality gates on pull requestsnot TeamCity
  • Detecting security vulnerabilities in cloud-hosted repositoriesnot TeamCity
  • Scanning for exposed secrets before mergenot TeamCity
  • Meeting compliance standards like PCI DSSnot TeamCity
  • Tracking code quality trends across teamsnot TeamCity

TeamCity

  • Running build and test pipelines for enterprise software teamsnot SonarQube Cloud
  • Self-hosting CI/CD infrastructure behind a firewallnot SonarQube Cloud
  • Coordinating multi-stage build chains with dependenciesnot SonarQube Cloud
  • Scaling build capacity with additional agentsnot SonarQube Cloud

Where each one falls short

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

SonarQube Cloud

  • Free tier limited to 50k lines of code for private projects.
  • Base Team pricing only covers up to 100,000 lines of code before extra charges apply.
  • Enterprise-grade compliance features require a custom-quoted Enterprise plan.
  • Primarily analysis-focused; lacks the runtime and cloud-workload protection of full CNAPP platforms.

TeamCity

  • Detailed pricing requires visiting a calculator and isn't transparent on the main pricing page.
  • Self-hosted setup and agent management require more operational overhead than fully managed CI/CD services.
  • Additional build agents and users are priced incrementally, which can add up for larger teams.
  • The UI and configuration model have a steeper learning curve compared to YAML-first CI tools.

Pricing, plan by plan

SonarQube Cloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Private project up to 50k lines of code
    • Public/open-source projects free
  • Team$34/month
    • Up to 100,000 lines of code
    • 30+ languages
    • Bug and vulnerability detection
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Advanced security reports
    • Audit logs
    • SSO/SCIM

TeamCity

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Includes 3 build agents
    • 100 build configurations
    • On-premises or Cloud
  • TeamCity Cloud / On-Premises$undefined/month
    • Priced per additional build agent
    • Additional users on Cloud plans
    • Enterprise support options

Which should you pick?

Choose SonarQube Cloud if

  • You need static code analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want secrets detection.
SonarQube Cloud review

Choose TeamCity if

  • You need build chains.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
  • You also want parallel test execution.
TeamCity review

Questions people ask

Is SonarQube Cloud or TeamCity better?
Neither clearly leads. SonarQube Cloud starts at Free and TeamCity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SonarQube Cloud or TeamCity?
SonarQube Cloud starts at Free and TeamCity at Free.
Does SonarQube Cloud or TeamCity run on more platforms?
SonarQube Cloud runs on web, api. TeamCity runs on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
Can I use SonarQube Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is SonarQube Cloud best used for?
SonarQube Cloud is most often used for enforcing code quality gates on pull requests, detecting security vulnerabilities in cloud-hosted repositories, scanning for exposed secrets before merge, meeting compliance standards like pci dss. Of those, enforcing code quality gates on pull requests and detecting security vulnerabilities in cloud-hosted repositories are not what TeamCity is typically brought in for.
What can SonarQube Cloud do that TeamCity cannot?
SonarQube Cloud covers Static code analysis, Secrets detection, Pull request decoration, AI-driven code fixes. TeamCity covers Build Chains, Parallel Test Execution, VCS Integration, Build History & Analytics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SonarQube Cloud: What does SonarQube Cloud cost?

The Team plan starts at $34/month for up to 100,000 lines of code, while Enterprise pricing is custom and quoted annually with additional compliance and SSO features.

Source
TeamCity: How much does TeamCity cost?

TeamCity offers a free download option but specific pricing for commercial use is not detailed on the website. Customers must contact JetBrains for licensing and pricing information.

Source
SonarQube Cloud: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the free tier lets you explore SonarQube Cloud on a private project up to a maximum of 50,000 lines of code; public projects are free.

Source
TeamCity: Is TeamCity free to use?

TeamCity has a free option available for download, but full pricing and licensing details require contacting JetBrains directly.

Source
SonarQube Cloud: How is usage metered?

Billing is based on lines of code in the largest branch of a project; how often analysis runs does not affect the price.

Source
SonarQube Cloud: Can I change or cancel my plan?

There is no commitment on the Team plan, and customers can downgrade to the free tier at any time.

Source
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