FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Build Cache Software

BuildCache

Paid LinuxMacWindows

Visit BuildCache Alternatives

BuildCache's own site

What BuildCache is

BuildCache is a free, open-source build caching tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It stores build results in a local file system cache so they can be reused instead of triggering unnecessary recompilation. Cache lookup can use preprocessing or work without preprocessing. A remote shared server can also act as a second-level cache, and the project supports LZ4 compression with optional ZSTD compression.

Its built-in tools include GCC, Clang, Microsoft Visual C++, clang-cl, QNX qcc, Green Hills and TI compilers, scan-build, Cppcheck, and rustc. Clang-Tidy is shown as an example wrapper written with Lua. Custom Lua scripts can extend compiler support, and BuildCache can cache reproducible outputs such as test results and rendered images. It supports CMake, MSBuild/Visual Studio, and Cargo. The project lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported; BSD systems may work, but that support is untested. The README says pre-built binaries can be downloaded, but the download destination was not accessible. BuildCache is still in development, and configuration settings and cache formats may change between 0.x versions.

Who it suits

BuildCache suits developers and teams who want to reuse build outputs and whose compiler and build system are among those it supports. It can serve setups that need a local cache or an optional shared remote cache, across Linux, macOS, or Windows.

What it does well

  • Free and open source.
  • Offers local cache lookup with or without preprocessing.
  • Can use a remote server as a second-level cache.
  • Supports CMake, MSBuild/Visual Studio, and Cargo.
  • Extensible compiler support through custom Lua scripts.

What to know first

  • Configuration parameters and cache formats may change between 0.x versions.
  • BSD support is described as probable but remains untested.

Getting started

  1. Open the BuildCache project website on GitLab.
  2. Use a pre-built binary if available.
  3. Use it on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
  4. Check that your build system and compiler are among the supported tools.
  5. Configure a local cache, with an optional remote shared server as a second-level cache.

Verdict

Choose BuildCache if its listed compiler and build system support fits your project and you want a free build cache. Look elsewhere if you need remote execution, or if you require stable configuration and cache formats across 0.x versions.

Questions

Is BuildCache free?

Yes. It is listed as free and open source.

Which operating systems does it support?

The project lists Linux, macOS, and Windows. BSD support is described as probable but untested.

Which build systems are supported?

The listed build systems are CMake, MSBuild/Visual Studio, and Cargo.

Can BuildCache use a shared cache?

Yes. It can optionally use a remote shared server as a second-level cache.

Does BuildCache support remote execution?

The facts list remote execution as no.

Is BuildCache still under development?

Yes. The project says configuration parameters and cache formats may change between 0.x versions.

Facts from BuildCache's own pages

Built-in compiler support
The README lists built-in support for GCC, Clang, Microsoft Visual C++, clang-cl, QNX qcc, Green Hills and TI compilers, scan-build, Cppcheck, and rustc. · gitlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Cache modes
It supports a fast local filesystem cache with preprocessor-based and preprocessorless lookup. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Clang-Tidy
Clang-Tidy is listed as a Lua example wrapper. · gitlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Compiler support
Built-in support includes GCC, Clang, Microsoft Visual C++, clang-cl, QNX qcc, Green Hills, several TI compilers, scan-build, Cppcheck, and rustc; Clang-Tidy is shown as a Lua example. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Compression
Cache compression uses LZ4 or optionally ZSTD. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Development status
The project says it is still under development and configuration parameters and cache formats may change between 0.x versions. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Downloads
The README links to prebuilt binaries on the project’s latest releases page. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Extensibility
Custom Lua scripts can extend compiler support, and BuildCache can cache reproducible artifacts such as test results and rendered images. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
License
The project is licensed under the zlib License. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Local cache
It provides a fast local file system cache with preprocessor-based and preprocessorless cache lookup. · gitlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Operating systems
The README lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported operating systems, and says BSD support is probable but untested. · gitlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Production use
The project says BuildCache has been used daily in production environments for years with near zero issues. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Project creation
The GitLab project page says it was created on September 7, 2023. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
BuildCache caches and reuses build results to avoid unnecessary recompilations and speed up builds. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Remote cache
It can optionally use a remote shared server as a second-level cache. · gitlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Shared cache
It can optionally use a remote shared server as a second-level cache. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Supported systems
The README lists Linux, macOS, and Windows, and says most BSD systems may work but are untested. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where BuildCache stands on Freedom251

Look at these too