In the modern DevOps ecosystem, Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines are crucial for automating workflows and ensuring quality throughout the software delivery lifecycle. However, many teams are wary of vendor lock-in and prefer to retain full control over their build and deployment process. Self-hosted Git repositories offer flexibility and autonomy, but they require compatible build-system and pipeline tools to work effectively—particularly ones that don’t force reliance on cloud-based SaaS solutions.
TL;DR
When self-hosting Git repositories, choosing the right CI/CD tools is essential for maintaining control and minimizing third-party dependencies. Tools like Jenkins, Drone, and Buildkite offer powerful on-premise integrations that work well with local Git servers. These tools allow for customizable pipelines, improved security, and better compliance with internal policies. The following list highlights the top 7 tools that support seamless integration with self-hosted Git while giving engineering teams full control over the build and deployment lifecycle.
1. Jenkins
Jenkins is one of the most popular open-source CI/CD tools and has been around for over a decade. It’s highly extensible, actively maintained, and boasts a massive ecosystem of plugins.
Jenkins can be installed on local servers, giving teams complete control over their CI workflows.
- Advantages: Open source, strong community support, vast plugin ecosystem
- Integrates with: Any self-hosted Git server (like GitLab CE, Gitea, or even vanilla Git over SSH)
- Ideal For: Teams that need flexibility and extensive customization
However, Jenkins has a steeper learning curve and can require significant maintenance over time.
2. Drone CI
Drone CI is a container-native CI/CD platform that is modern and minimal. It is built to support everything from small teams to large software engineering organizations.
Drone integrates deeply with self-hosted Git providers like Gitea and GitHub Enterprise, and uses a simple YAML file to define pipelines.
- Advantages: Lightweight, Docker-first architecture, easy to set up
- Deployment: Fully self-hosted, with optional commercial support
- Best Use Case: Teams already using containerization technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes
3. Buildkite
Buildkite takes a hybrid approach: it offers a SaaS-based UI but allows all builds to run on infrastructure you own and manage. For teams that are okay with minimal cloud interaction but want to maintain privacy and performance control, this is a compelling option.
- Strengths: Agent-based architecture for running builds anywhere
- Flexibility: Can integrate with scriptable pipelines connected to self-hosted Git
- Security: Source code and data never leave your infrastructure
The separation of UI and agents lets organizations tweak performance and compliance to their needs.
4. GitLab CI/CD (Self-Managed)
GitLab CI/CD is tightly integrated into GitLab, and the CE (Community Edition) can be hosted on your servers. The advantage of this system is having Git and CI fully integrated into a single platform.
- Integration: Seamless with Git repositories inside GitLab CE
- Automation: Pipelines defined in a simple
.gitlab-ci.ymlfile - Scalability: Includes Kubernetes-native CI capabilities for larger teams
This is ideal for teams that want a true all-in-one Git hosting plus CI/CD experience under one roof.
5. Woodpecker CI
Woodpecker CI is a community fork of Drone CI that continues with an open-source-first mindset. It’s perfect for teams who loved Drone’s simplicity but don’t want to rely on commercial offerings.
- Simplicity: YAML-based pipelines, small footprint
- Compatibility: Works with Gitea, Gogs, or other self-hosted Git names
- Deployment: Entirely open source, no proprietary lock-in
For open-source enthusiasts or lean teams avoiding licensing headaches, Woodpecker is a feature-rich alternative.
6. GoCD
GoCD by ThoughtWorks is an enterprise-grade Continuous Delivery tool particularly suited for modeling complex delivery workflows. It’s fully open-source, though commercial support is offered.
- Main Feature: Pipeline-as-code with strong visualization support
- Self-Hosted: Native support for deployment on private infrastructure
- Source Control: Easily integrates with Git over SSH or HTTPS
Unlike other tools, GoCD visualizes entire pipelines across multiple repos, environments, and build stages.
7. Tekton
Tekton is a Kubernetes-native CI/CD framework backed by the Continuous Delivery Foundation (CDF). Rather than being a monolithic application, Tekton is a powerful framework for building CI/CD systems in Kubernetes environments.
- Modern Stack: Designed for cloud-native, containerized apps
- Pipeline-as-Code: Everything defined as Kubernetes resources
- Integrations: Works well with ArgoCD, GitOps, and self-hosted Git tools
Tekton is ideal for large-scale or cloud-native applications built on Kubernetes, where scalability and declarative infrastructure matter.
Choosing the Right Tool
Each of these tools addresses different aspects of CI/CD needs based on team size, infrastructure preferences, and compliance requirements. Here’s a summary guideline:
- For extreme customization: Jenkins
- For modern container-based workflows: Drone CI or Woodpecker
- For hybrid control: Buildkite
- For GitLab users: GitLab CI/CD
- For Kubernetes-native teams: Tekton
A well-chosen self-hosted CI/CD pipeline not only enhances autonomy but also boosts productivity by fitting seamlessly into a team’s development processes.
FAQ
What is the advantage of using self-hosted CI/CD pipelines?
Self-hosted pipelines provide full control over the build and deployment infrastructure, improving security, compliance, and customization without relying on third-party SaaS providers.
Are these tools free to use?
Many of the tools listed—like Jenkins, GitLab CE, Woodpecker, and Tekton—are open source and free to use. Others like Buildkite offer commercial pricing with additional features for enterprises.
Which tool is the easiest to set up for small teams?
Drone CI and Woodpecker are considered lightweight options that are easy to deploy, especially for teams already using Docker.
Can these tools work with Gitea or other lightweight self-hosted Git tools?
Yes, all featured tools offer integration or connectivity with Gitea, Gogs, or raw Git repositories. Compatibility depends on the tool’s authentication and webhook handling models.
Is Kubernetes necessary for running Tekton or other modern CI systems?
Kubernetes is required for Tekton, as the entire system operates via Kubernetes custom resources. For other systems like Jenkins or Drone, Kubernetes usage is optional but can be beneficial at scale.
Adopting the right build-system/CI tool in a self-hosted environment empowers DevOps teams to build secure, scalable, and efficient pipelines—without the constraints of SaaS lock-in.
