Ccache

Ccache is free software that speeds up repeated compilation by saving results from earlier compilations and recognizing when the same work recurs. It supports GCC, Clang, MSVC, and similar compilers, along with C, C++, assembler, CUDA, Objective-C, and Objective-C++, though support varies by compiler and language. Runtime support includes Linux, macOS, and native Windows, with other Unix-like platforms and Windows with MSYS2 also listed at a different support level. Direct and depend modes can skip preprocessing, and remote caching can use adaptable storage backends, including helpers for HTTP, HTTPS, and Redis protocols. Ccache records cache-hit and cache-miss statistics and manages its cache size. It supports Zstandard compression, uses BLAKE3 for its main input hash, and uses XXH3 checksums to detect cache corruption. It works with Make, CMake, Ninja, and Visual Studio. Its scope is limited to single-file compilation: multi-file work, linking, and builds using unsupported flags run through the real compiler instead. Cache misses add overhead, so the project recommends measuring typical workloads.

Ccache can reduce repeat compilation work across supported environments, with remote storage and cache-management tools. Its single-file scope and cache-miss overhead are important considerations for a build workflow.

Ccache suits developers and build teams using supported compilers and build systems who frequently recompile the same files. It is available on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including self-hosted setups.

Ccache is a free, open-source utility that reuses results from repeated compilations. It is best suited to developers whose builds repeatedly compile eligible single files with supported toolchains. Its focused scope and configurable remote storage are useful, but it will not cache an entire build.

Overview

Ccache can cut repeated compiler work by recognizing when a compilation has already been performed and reusing the earlier result. That makes it a practical fit for recurring builds where single-file compilation is a meaningful share of the work. Multi-file compilation, linking, and compilations with unsupported flags still go to the real compiler, so projects dominated by those steps should look elsewhere or set modest expectations.

The software is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later and has been maintained by Joel Rosdahl since 2010. It supports several common build systems, including Make, CMake, Ninja, and Visual Studio. Compiler and language support levels vary, so compatibility depends on the specific toolchain in use.

Key features

Compilation reuse and modes

Ccache supports GCC, Clang, MSVC, NVCC, Intel C++, QNX, and EDG-based compilers, among others. Its language coverage includes C, C++, assembler, CUDA, Objective-C, and Objective-C++, with support varying by language. Direct and depend modes can skip preprocessing, reducing work on a cache hit. Direct mode has a corner case that can produce a false-positive cache hit, a meaningful integrity trade-off for workflows that prioritize strict confidence in reused results.

Storage and cache operations

Remote caching is available through custom storage backends that can be adapted to remote protocols; helpers support HTTP, HTTPS, Redis, rediss, and redis+unix. This flexibility can suit teams integrating with existing storage, though it calls for configuring an appropriate backend rather than relying on a hosted plan. Ccache compresses data with Zstandard, uses BLAKE3 for its main input hash, and checks cache data for corruption with XXH3. It also records hit and miss statistics and manages cache size automatically.

Performance and integrity

Cache misses typically add 5%–20% overhead, or 1%–3% with depend mode enabled. That cost matters when builds often miss the cache; measuring representative workloads is the sensible way to judge whether reuse outweighs the extra work. Release archives from version 4.12 onward are signed with minisign, and the download page explains verification.

Pricing

Ccache costs nothing, as free software under GNU GPL version 3 or later. There is no paid tier or free-trial period to weigh. The free software provides the same single-file cache scope: multi-file compilation and linking, along with compilations using unsupported flags, fall back to the real compiler. The trade-off is a no-cost tool rather than a broader build-cache service.

Platforms

Runtime support at level A covers Linux, macOS, and native Windows. Windows with MSYS2 and other Unix-like platforms are supported at level B. Downloads include source archives, macOS and Linux binaries, and a Windows x86_64 binary for version 4.14.1.

Who it's for

Ccache is a strong choice for developers and build teams that repeatedly compile supported single-file sources and want a free tool they can run across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its build-system and compiler range is broad enough to fit varied workflows, while its custom remote backends offer room to adapt storage to existing infrastructure.

It is a weaker fit when the main bottleneck is linking, multi-file compilation, or unsupported compiler flags, or when a team needs a managed hosted cache rather than configuring its own storage. The direct-mode false-positive corner case is also worth weighing where cache-hit integrity is especially sensitive.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free software with no paid-plan gate: the GPL-licensed tool can be used without a subscription.
• Broad toolchain and build-system coverage: support includes GCC, Clang, MSVC, NVCC, Intel C++, QNX, EDG-based compilers, Make, CMake, Ninja, and Visual Studio.
• Flexible remote storage: custom backends and helpers for HTTP, HTTPS, and Redis-family protocols can accommodate different storage setups.
• Built-in cache oversight: hit/miss statistics and automatic size management help users monitor and control the cache.

Cons

• Single-file scope: multi-file compilation and linking receive no cache acceleration from Ccache.
• Misses add overhead: the usual 5%–20% cost can matter in workloads with few cache hits.
• Direct mode has an integrity caveat: a corner case can lead to false-positive cache hits.
• Support levels differ: compiler and language compatibility is not uniform, so projects need to verify their particular combination.

Alternatives

Bitrise is worth considering for teams seeking a broader build platform across mobile, web, and other environments; its free Hobby plan is for one person and provides build credits for a small project a few times per month.

Buildless may fit a web- or API-oriented team looking for a cache service with a stated project, user, storage, and transfer allowance on its Individual / OSS plan.

Cachely is an alternative for readers who want managed storage and request allowances, with its Free plan including 1 GiB storage and 500K requests per month.

cachepot is another free, open-source option for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments.

EngFlow Remote Caching may suit readers seeking in-cluster remote caching, with a free plan covering one machine, 32 CPU cores, and Linux.

FosterStack is a self-hosted cache-server option whose free plan includes security patches and an FIPS image.

MozJPEG is a free, open-source JPEG encoder library rather than a compilation cache.

NativeLink is an open-source alternative for readers seeking a self-hosted distributed scheduler and remote caching across build systems and major cloud providers.

See Build Cache Software for more options in the category.

Verdict

Choose Ccache if you want a no-cost, cross-platform way to reduce repeated single-file compilation work and can accept its cache scope and backend configuration. Its main appeal is straightforward reuse without a license fee; its main reason to look elsewhere is that it cannot accelerate multi-file compilation or linking, while cache misses add overhead.