Side by side

build2 vs Google Cloud Build

Both stand on build automation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

build2

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose build2 if you want a free toolchain that handles builds, package consumption and project development. It can also model operations beyond compiled C/C++ projects. Keep in mind that it has reduced functionality without a version control system.

Visit build2

Google Cloud Build

Free plan APILinuxWeb

Cloud Build supports automated build, test, and deployment workflows across connected repositories and Google Cloud services. Its free tier covers 2,500 monthly build-minutes for e2-standard-2 in the default pool, with listed charges applying beyond that.

Visit Google Cloud Build

The facts

	build2	Google Cloud Build
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Linux, Mac, Windows	API, Linux, Web
Lowest paid plan	Not published	See the plans
Plans published	None	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	build2.org	cloud.google.com
On build automation software	#16 of 42	#12 of 42

build2: what it does well

Free and MIT-licensed open-source software.
Includes a build system, package manager and project manager.
Package manifests can specify compiler, operating system and C++ standard requirements.
Provides test, install, uninstall and source-distribution operations.
Version 0.18.1 adds a package fetch cache.

What to know first

Functionality is reduced when used without a version control system.

Google Cloud Build: what it does well

Supports applications in any programming language
Build triggers connect to several repository providers
Private pools can access private network resources
Local builder supports running and debugging
SLSA level 3 provenance support

What to know first

Network egress is charged at standard rates
In-process build time accrues charges after the free tier

Alternatives to build2 Alternatives to Google Cloud Build The whole list