Harness vs Semaphore: CI / CD Comparison (2026)

Harness offers a modular CI/CD platform with features tailored for small teams to enterprise-level organizations, while Semaphore provides a pay-as-you-go model with a focus on resource-based billing and specific default allocations.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask ci / cd questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Too early to call — probes still building data.
ChatGPT
Harness
0 / 1 probes
0%
Invisible
Semaphore
Tracking…
No data yet
Perplexity
Harness
1 / 1 probes
100%
Excellent
Semaphore
Tracking…
No data yet
Gemini
Harness
1 / 1 probes
100%
Excellent
Semaphore
Tracking…
No data yet
Claude
Harness
0 / 1 probes
0%
Invisible
Semaphore
Tracking…
No data yet
Copilot
Harness
1 / 1 probes
100%
Excellent
Semaphore
Tracking…
No data yet
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Harness
Starting price
null
Free tier
Yes
harness.io ↗
Semaphore
Starting price
$0.0025/min
Free tier
Yes
semaphoreci.com ↗

Key Features

Harness
  • ✓Open Source for small teams
  • ✓Packaged modules for essentials
  • ✓Standard support
  • ✓Pick any module for enterprise
Semaphore
  • ✓Pay only for what you use
  • ✓20 concurrent jobs by default
  • ✓$15 free credits/month
  • ✓20 GB/month egress/storage
  • ✓9.6 GB cache storage

When to choose Harness

Choose Harness if you require a modular CI/CD solution that offers open-source options for small teams, packaged modules for essential needs, or comprehensive enterprise features. It supports integration with various Git providers and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

When to choose Semaphore

Choose Semaphore if you prefer a pay-as-you-go pricing model with per-minute billing for usage. It includes 20 concurrent jobs by default, $15 free credits monthly, 20 GB/month egress/storage, and 9.6 GB cache storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in pricing models?
Harness offers a free tier and a flexible, modular pricing approach, with specific details for enterprise plans requiring direct contact. Semaphore operates on a pay-as-you-go model, charging $0.0025 per minute, and includes $15 in free credits monthly.
How do their feature sets compare?
Harness provides an Open Source option for small teams, packaged modules for essential functions, standard support, and customizable modules for enterprise users. Semaphore includes 20 concurrent jobs by default, $15 monthly free credits, 20 GB/month for egress/storage, and 9.6 GB of cache storage.
Which integrations do these platforms support?
Harness integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jenkins, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Slack. Semaphore does not list specific integrations in the provided information.
Are there free tiers available for both platforms?
Yes, both Harness and Semaphore offer free tiers.
What are the noted disadvantages for each platform?
Harness's pricing is not publicly stated, enterprise plans require contact, its Essentials plan lacks on-premise support, and the Free Plan has limited customization. Semaphore's pricing structure is noted as complex, with additional costs for add-ons, optional services potentially being costly, and no clear baseline pricing for all services.

AI visibility profiles

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Harness

harness.io

Semaphore

semaphoreci.com

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