Celesto vs Actuated
Run Linux CI on demand with Celesto instead of paying a server subscription and supplying hardware. Actuated is compelling when your own fleet and network placement are the priority.
Install Celesto CIChecked November 1, 2026. Sources and assumptions
Celesto removes the per-server subscription and hardware commitment
Celesto Standard is $0.0005/minute for 2 vCPU and 4 GB, including its managed compute. Actuated’s Self-Service plan charges $150/month for the first server and $125/month per additional server, with unlimited build minutes on the capacity you supply. Hardware, hosting, and network costs are separate. Busy, already-owned hardware may have attractive economics; lightly used infrastructure still has fixed costs.
Actuated: $150/month for the first server, $125/month per additional server, plus your hardware costs. CPU count and memory alone do not establish equal hardware performance, network speed, or completed-job cost.
Pay for managed runtime instead of reserving a CI server.
| Feature | Celesto | Actuated |
|---|---|---|
| Compute ownership | ||
| Fixed service charge | No monthly runner plan(Celesto has the edge) | $150/month first server; $125/month each additional |
| Hardware | Included in the runtime rate(Celesto has the edge) | Bring your own servers and pay their costs |
| Job isolation | Fresh microVM per job | Fresh Firecracker microVM per job |
| Hardware flexibility | Linux x64 up to 8 vCPU / 32 GB | Your x86_64 or ARM servers; GPU passthrough supported(Actuated has the edge) |
| Local infrastructure access | Celesto-managed infrastructure | Jobs run beside your own infrastructure(Actuated has the edge) |
Compute ownership
- Fixed service charge
- CelestoNo monthly runner plan Has the edge
- Actuated$150/month first server; $125/month each additional
- Hardware
- CelestoIncluded in the runtime rate Has the edge
- ActuatedBring your own servers and pay their costs
- Job isolation
- CelestoFresh microVM per job
- ActuatedFresh Firecracker microVM per job
- Hardware flexibility
- CelestoLinux x64 up to 8 vCPU / 32 GB
- ActuatedYour x86_64 or ARM servers; GPU passthrough supported Has the edge
- Local infrastructure access
- CelestoCelesto-managed infrastructure
- ActuatedJobs run beside your own infrastructure Has the edge
Choose Celesto when
- You want low-cost CI without acquiring or reserving servers
- You run intermittent or bursty Linux x64 jobs
- You want compute and runner runtime on one credit balance
Choose Actuated when
- You already have heavily utilized build servers
- You need ARM, GPU access, or on-premise network placement
- You prefer fixed service fees and control of your hardware
Keep GitHub Actions. Move compatible Linux jobs.
Install Celesto’s GitHub App, link a workspace, and fund a paid runner size. This example selects Standard, 2 vCPU and 4 GB, at $0.0005/minute. Port provider-specific caches, custom images, or pipeline syntax before migrating. The Micro-only trial starts with $5 shared credit, expires after 30 days, and allows one retained sandbox at a time.
1jobs:
2 test:
3 runs-on: [self-hosted, celesto-standard]
4 steps:
5 - uses: actions/checkout@v4
6 - run: npm ci && npm testCelesto bills computer runtime including preparation and cleanup. Linux x64 only; a two-hour safety limit applies. Concurrency depends on workspace limits, credit, and capacity.
Questions before you switch
Does Actuated’s subscription include servers?
No. Actuated manages its control plane and runner images while jobs execute on servers you provide. Include hardware or rental, hosting, and network costs alongside its per-server subscription.
Is Celesto faster than Actuated?
We have not run a matched benchmark. Actuated’s performance depends on the servers you supply. Celesto offers low-cost managed Linux runtime without a hardware commitment; test your complete workflow before making a speed or completed-job cost claim.
How does CI dependency caching work?
Linux x64 jobs include actions/cache and setup-node/setup-python caching without changes to compatible cache steps. Cache storage has no separate charge. Default per-repository limits are 5 GiB on trial and promotional credit and 25 GiB on paid credit; caches expire after 7 idle days. CI runtime consumes workspace credit.
Which Docker workflows are supported?
Docker Engine, Buildx, and Compose are preinstalled. Docker builds, Compose workflows, and GitHub service containers are verified. Validate Docker actions and whole-job containers before migrating. Docker’s explicit --cpus flag failed the documented preflight.
Do Docker layers persist between CI jobs?
No. Each job starts fresh. Use registry caches or portable archives through actions/cache to reuse layers. Direct BuildKit type=gha,version=2 cache export failed the documented preflight.
Sources and assumptions
Pricing and capabilities checked November 1, 2026. No matched performance or network benchmark is claimed here. Actuated is a trademark of its owner; Celesto is not affiliated with it.