Dagger

Dagger provides a software stack for continuous integration using a clean API, real code, and a portable DAG execution engine. Its pipeline logic can run locally or in Dagger Cloud, with automatic caching and end-to-end tracing. Cloud Checks connect a GitHub repository to Dagger Cloud and run checks on Cloud Engines after events such as pushes or pull requests, without requiring a CI workflow file. Official modules cover testing, linting, formatting, type checking, browser tests, and Helm chart validation, and can be extended in a preferred language. The CLI has installation instructions for macOS, Linux, and Windows, and the documentation includes a self-hosting guide. The free Individual plan supports one user, 1,000,000 monthly events, one month of run history, and community support. Team costs $50 a month after a 14-day trial and supports up to 10 users, 10,000,000 monthly events, one year of run history, and email support. Enterprise lists custom user and event terms, along with 24/7 premium support.

Dagger offers a portable CI stack with local and cloud execution, GitHub-connected checks, and modules for common development tasks. The free Individual plan has one user and one month of run history; Team costs $50 a month after a 14-day trial.

Dagger suits developers and teams who want CI pipeline logic that can run locally or in Dagger Cloud. It also fits teams seeking GitHub-triggered checks, reusable modules, or a self-hosting option.

Overview

Dagger is a code-first continuous integration stack for developers who want pipeline logic to work both locally and in the cloud. Its strongest case is portable, reusable automation; teams should weigh that flexibility against monthly event caps and finite run-history windows.

Key features

Dagger’s portable DAG execution engine lets the same pipeline logic run on a developer’s machine or in Dagger Cloud. Automatic caching and end-to-end tracing support repeatability and make runs easier to inspect, while the local build-cache backend, multi-architecture builds, and build-secret handling extend its usefulness for build workflows.

Cloud Checks can run project checks automatically after Git events such as pushes and pull requests, without a CI workflow file. GitHub repositories connect to Dagger Cloud and run checks on Cloud Engines. That is a practical option for GitHub users who want event-driven checks without maintaining a separate workflow file, though the integration is specifically described around GitHub.

Official modules cover testing, linting, formatting, type checking, browser tests, and Helm chart validation. They can be extended in a preferred language, giving teams a starting point for common tasks without locking module work to one language.

Pricing

The free Individual plan costs nothing and is capped at 1 user, 1,000,000 monthly events, and 1 month of run history. It includes workflow and function logs, function call traces, workflow cache visibility, pre-push visibility, GitHub Checks integration, and community support. That is a meaningful entry point for an individual developer, but the one-seat limit and short history make it a poor fit for a team that needs shared access or longer-term run records.

Team costs $50 a month after a 14-day trial. It supports up to 10 users, raises the monthly event allowance to 10,000,000, and keeps run history for 1 year. Email support, module insights and a module catalog join workflow visibility and GitHub Checks integration. The higher quota and longer history suit collaborative projects, but teams larger than 10 or with needs beyond the stated event allowance should assess Enterprise.

Enterprise has custom pricing, with user and monthly-event limits set by contacting Dagger. It adds 24/7 premium support; SSO and managed single-tenant deployment are Enterprise contact items. Individual’s lower cost comes with tighter seats, quota, history, and community-only support, while Team’s trial lasts two weeks before the monthly charge begins.

Platforms

Dagger lists Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms. Its CLI installation instructions cover macOS, Linux, and Windows, and its documentation includes a self-hosting guide, giving teams options beyond relying solely on cloud execution.

Who it's for

Dagger is best suited to developers and teams that want code-defined CI, portable execution, reusable modules, and GitHub-triggered checks. Individual is the sensible starting point for one user who can work within the event and history caps. Team is the more appropriate fit when several developers need access, longer run retention, or a larger monthly event budget. Organizations that require SSO, managed single-tenant deployment, or 24/7 premium support should discuss Enterprise.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Pipeline logic can run locally or in Dagger Cloud, with caching and tracing supporting repeatable, inspectable runs.
• Cloud Checks trigger on Git events without requiring a CI workflow file, and GitHub Checks integration is included in both Individual and Team.
• Official modules span common development checks and can be extended in a preferred language.
• Self-hosting guidance, multi-architecture builds, local caching, and build-secret handling broaden its fit for build workflows.

Cons

• Individual allows only 1 user and retains runs for 1 month, limiting its usefulness for shared teams or longer investigations.
• Both paid and free plans have monthly event limits: 1,000,000 on Individual and 10,000,000 on Team.
• Team’s $50 a month charge begins after a 14-day trial, and its seat allowance tops out at 10 users.
• Enterprise user and event limits require contacting Dagger, so larger deployments need a custom discussion.

Alternatives

For a free, open-source command-line option with no paid tiers or usage limits stated, consider Buildah; it is listed for API, Linux, and self-hosted use. BuildKit is another free option, under the Apache License 2.0, with API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows platforms.

Linux-focused image building may point instead to KIWI NG, a free open-source Linux image builder under GPL-3.0, or ko, a free open-source Go container image builder for Linux, macOS, and Windows. For open-source developers wanting a reference server or an installation of their own, Open Build Service is free software under GPL.

Tilt is a free, open-source alternative under Apache-2.0. Amazon EC2 may suit readers comparing a paid cloud service with an AWS Free Tier offer that gives new customers up to $200 in credits; that offer is available for 6 months after account creation. Cloud Native Buildpacks Pack is a free CLI and Go library with no paid plans listed.

Browse Container Build Tools, Game Build Automation Software, or Continuous Integration Software for more options in those categories.

Verdict

Choose Dagger if you want CI logic that travels between local development and cloud execution, with reusable modules and GitHub-connected checks. The free Individual plan makes it accessible to a single developer, while Team adds capacity and a year of run history for $50 a month after a 14-day trial. Look elsewhere if you need more than 10 Team users, cannot work within its monthly event caps, or prefer a narrower free build tool over a CI stack.