Buildkite vs GitLab CI:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Buildkite had more branded searches than GitLab CI among CI/CD tools worldwide. Buildkite had about 9,900 branded searches, while GitLab CI had 8,100. Buildkite made up 2.5% of all CI/CD tool searches we track, and GitLab CI accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CI/CD tools, GitLab CI appeared in all five answers and Buildkite in one. GitLab CI was mentioned before Buildkite in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Buildkite, about 22% more searches than GitLab CI
Who does AI mention more?
GitLab CI, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
GitLab CI, named ahead of Buildkite in every answer
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Top CI/CD tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GitLab CI appeared in all five answers. Buildkite was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. GitLab CI was listed before Buildkite in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Jenkins5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
GitHub Actions5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- GitLab CI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
CircleCI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Argo CD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Buildkite1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Travis CI1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
TeamCity0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CI/CD tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CI/CD tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CI/CD tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CI/CD tool for software delivery?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ci/cd tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“continuous integration tools”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Buildkite or GitLab CI more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Buildkite and GitLab CI by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight CI/CD tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Buildkite, GitLab CI. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Jenkins | GitHub Actions | Argo CD | TeamCity | Buildkite | GitLab CI | Travis CI | CircleCI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 53.5% | 19.7% | 18% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 3.2% | 0.96% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 53.8% | 19.8% | 18.1% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.96% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 56.1% | 20.6% | 15.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 2.8% | 0.82% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.1% | 19.9% | 18.2% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.97% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.3% | 19.6% | 17.9% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 0.78% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.7% | 26.7% | 16.4% | 2.9% | 2% | 2.4% | 0.87% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.9% | 23.2% | 17.4% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.76% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 51.7% | 23.1% | 17.4% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.61% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 49.4% | 22.2% | 20.3% | 3% | 2% | 2.4% | 0.71% | 0.02% |
| Jul 2026 | 50.8% | 22.9% | 18.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.61% | 0.02% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.8% | 26.2% | 17.1% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.57% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 50.8% | 22.9% | 18.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.61% | 0.01% |
How has the Buildkite and GitLab CI comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 5 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Buildkite took it in February 2026, GitLab CI took it in March 2026, Buildkite took it in May 2026, GitLab CI took it in June 2026, Buildkite took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buildkite’s share of searches among CI/CD tools worldwide moved from 1.4% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GitLab CI’s share of searches among CI/CD tools worldwide moved from 3.2% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 8.1K.
How did search popularity change for CI/CD tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buildkite’s and GitLab CI’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among CI/CD tools
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