---
title: "9apes vs GitHub Hosted Runners for Linux CI Workloads"
description: "Compare 9apes with GitHub-hosted runners on Linux workload cost, supported sizes, allowances, isolation, and migration. Test one job before moving a workflow."
url: https://9apes.com/compare/github-hosted-runners/
---

# 9apes vs GitHub Hosted Runners for Linux CI Workloads

Managed runners can replace paid GitHub-hosted Linux compute when they support the operating system, architecture, resources, and access your job requires. Compare 9apes using a suitable runner size and the complete workload duration. Keep GitHub-hosted runners where remaining included standard-runner usage, free standard public-repository runs, or required platform support make them the better fit.

## Per-minute rates

GitHub-hosted list prices for the equivalent runner size, against the published 9apes rate. Checked 2026-10-17.

### Linux x86_64 runners

| `runs-on` label | vCPU | RAM | Architecture | OS | OS version | 9apes price/min | GitHub-hosted price/min |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `9apes-1vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | 1 | 4 GB | x86_64 | Ubuntu | 24.04 | $0.0009 | $0.002 |
| `9apes-2vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | 2 | 8 GB | x86_64 | Ubuntu | 24.04 | $0.0018 | $0.006 |
| `9apes` | 4 | 16 GB | x86_64 | Ubuntu | 24.04 | $0.0036 | $0.012 |
| `9apes-4vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | 4 | 16 GB | x86_64 | Ubuntu | 24.04 | $0.0036 | $0.012 |
| `9apes-8vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | 8 | 32 GB | x86_64 | Ubuntu | 24.04 | $0.0072 | $0.022 |

## Free minutes

- **9apes** — 3000 free runner minutes every month on every account, no card required.

- **GitHub-hosted runners** — GitHub includes 2,000 minutes per month on Free plans and 3,000 on Pro and Team for standard runners in private repositories. Public repositories run free on standard runners. Larger runners are billed even for public repositories and cannot use included minutes.

## What each one covers

| Capability | 9apes | GitHub-hosted runners |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Linux x86_64 runners | Yes | Yes |
| Linux ARM64 runners | On demand | Yes |
| Windows runners | On demand | Yes |
| macOS runners | On demand | Yes |
| Free standard runners for public repositories | No | Yes |
| Free monthly minutes on every plan (GitHub ties its allowance to the plan; 9apes gives every account 3,000.) | Yes | No |
| Per-minute billing with no seat fee | Yes | Yes |
| One-line migration | Yes | Yes |
| Ephemeral Firecracker microVM per job | Yes | No |
| Runs inside GitHub Actions | Yes | Yes |

**On demand** means the platform is not on the public 9apes label list, but the team will arrange it. Email support@9apes.com with your workflow, expected scale, and timing.

## When to choose GitHub-hosted runners

- Your repositories are public. GitHub-hosted standard runners are free for public repositories, and nothing 9apes charges can beat zero.

- You need Windows or macOS runners self-serve today. GitHub lists them as standard; on 9apes they are arranged with the team rather than picked off a label list.

- You need Linux ARM64 today. It is not on the public 9apes label list.

- Your organization cannot install third-party GitHub Apps, which is how 9apes integrates.

## Moving to 9apes

```yaml
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: 9apes
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - run: npm test
```

## Common questions

**Are managed runners an alternative to paid GitHub larger runners?**

Managed runners can be an alternative when they provide the operating system, architecture, resources, and access your job requires. 9apes publishes Ubuntu 24.04 Linux x86_64 labels from 1 to 8 vCPU. If a workload needs a larger machine, Windows, macOS, or ARM, confirm availability before planning the move. Compare current rates for a suitable size and the complete workload duration. Included usage and free public-repository usage apply to standard GitHub-hosted runners. Larger runners are billed even in public repositories and cannot use included minutes. Keep GitHub-hosted runners where they meet the requirement at lower total cost or offer a platform the replacement cannot supply on your timeline.

[Public runner labels and platforms available on request](https://9apes.com/docs/available-runners/)

[Current runner pricing](https://9apes.com/pricing/)

**Does a one line runner change guarantee compatibility?**

No. Changing `runs-on` selects the new compute environment after the GitHub App is connected. Verify the runner image, architecture, tool versions, filesystem assumptions, Docker requirements, network access, and job outputs. Pilot one job and restore the prior label if it fails.

[Quick start for a pilot job](https://9apes.com/docs/quick-start/)

**Do I have to leave GitHub Actions to use 9apes?**

No. 9apes replaces the machine your job runs on, not the CI platform. Workflows, secrets, logs, and the Actions UI stay exactly where they are.

**How hard is it to switch back?**

Change the runs-on value back to ubuntu-latest and push. The next run goes to GitHub-hosted runners. There is no contract and nothing to migrate.

**Are my secrets exposed to 9apes?**

Each job receives a just-in-time token scoped to that job and expiring after an hour. The integration cannot directly access organization or repository secrets.

## Related pages

- [All runner comparisons](https://9apes.com/compare/)

- [9apes pricing](https://9apes.com/pricing/) — every label and rate

- [Quick Start](https://9apes.com/docs/quick-start/) — move your first job