GitLab CI vs Jenkins X: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this comparison, we will explore the key differences between GitLab CI and Jenkins X. Both GitLab CI and Jenkins X are popular continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools, but they have some fundamental differences that set them apart.

1. Execution Model: GitLab CI follows a pipeline-based execution model, where jobs defined in a YAML file are executed in stages. Each stage can have multiple jobs that run sequentially or in parallel depending on the configuration. Jenkins X, on the other hand, is built on top of Jenkins and Kubernetes, and it uses a serverless approach where pipelines are triggered automatically based on events in the repository, such as code commits or pull requests.

2. Cloud-Native Architecture: Jenkins X is designed with cloud-native principles in mind, making it well-suited for modern containerized applications and microservices architectures. It leverages cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes to provide scalability and portability. GitLab CI, while it can be used with Kubernetes, does not have the same level of native integration and is more flexible in terms of deployment options.

3. Built-in Features: GitLab CI includes several built-in features like integrated code review, issue tracking, and a built-in container registry. These features are tightly integrated into the CI/CD process, providing a seamless experience for developers. Jenkins X, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the CI/CD workflow and integrates with external tools for code review, issue tracking, and artifact storage.

4. Community and Ecosystem: GitLab has a large and active community, with a wide range of plugins and extensions available. GitLab CI benefits from this strong ecosystem and offers a wide range of integrations and extensions. Jenkins, the underlying platform for Jenkins X, has been around for a long time and has a well-established ecosystem with a vast number of plugins and integrations. However, Jenkins X is a relatively new project and its ecosystem is still growing.

5. Ease of Use and Configuration: GitLab CI provides a user-friendly interface for configuring and managing pipelines. The configuration is done using YAML files, making it easy to version control and share with others. Jenkins X, while it can be configured using YAML files as well, requires more setup and configuration due to its integration with Kubernetes and other cloud-native tools.

6. Deployment and Scalability: Jenkins X provides built-in support for automatic deployment to Kubernetes clusters, making it easy to deploy and scale applications. GitLab CI, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in terms of deployment options, supporting a wide range of platforms and environments.

In summary, GitLab CI and Jenkins X have different execution models, with GitLab CI following a pipeline-based model and Jenkins X taking a serverless approach. Jenkins X is built with cloud-native principles in mind and has a stronger focus on the CI/CD workflow, while GitLab CI offers integrated features and a wider range of deployment options.