---
title: "9apes vs WarpBuild - GitHub Actions Runner Pricing Compared"
description: "Per-minute rates, free minutes, and platform coverage compared between 9apes and WarpBuild runners for GitHub Actions."
url: https://9apes.com/compare/warpbuild/
---

# 9apes vs WarpBuild - GitHub Actions Runner Pricing Compared

WarpBuild and 9apes both sell managed runners you reach by changing one `runs-on` line. WarpBuild covers far more ground off the shelf — ARM64, Windows and macOS, up to 32 vCPU — while the public 9apes label list is Linux x86_64, at a materially lower rate and with a recurring free allowance WarpBuild does not offer.

## Per-minute rates

WarpBuild rates transcribed from https://www.warpbuild.com/pricing on 2026-08-25.

| WarpBuild tier | vCPU | WarpBuild /min | 9apes label | 9apes /min | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `warp-ubuntu-latest-x64-2x` | 2 | $0.004 | `9apes-2vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | $0.0018 | 55% lower |
| `warp-ubuntu-latest-x64-4x` | 4 | $0.008 | `9apes` | $0.0036 | 55% lower |
| `warp-ubuntu-latest-x64-8x` | 8 | $0.016 | `9apes-8vcpu-ubuntu-2404` | $0.0072 | 55% lower |
| `warp-ubuntu-latest-x64-16x` | 16 | $0.032 | — | — | no 9apes label at this size |
| `warp-ubuntu-latest-x64-32x` | 32 | $0.064 | — | — | no 9apes label at this size |

## Free minutes

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

- **WarpBuild** — No recurring free-minute allowance is published. You can sign up without a card, but usage is billed per minute from the start.

## What each one covers

| Capability | 9apes | WarpBuild |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Linux x86_64 runners | Yes | Yes |
| Linux ARM64 runners (WarpBuild prices ARM below its x64 tier.) | On demand | Yes |
| Windows runners | On demand | Yes |
| macOS runners | On demand | Yes |
| Recurring free monthly minutes (9apes includes 3,000 minutes every month; WarpBuild publishes no equivalent.) | Yes | No |
| Runners above 8 vCPU (WarpBuild goes to 32 vCPU. 9apes publishes up to 8.) | No | Yes |
| Per-minute billing with no seat fee | Yes | Yes |
| One-line migration | Yes | Yes |
| Ephemeral Firecracker microVM per job | Yes | No |

**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 WarpBuild

- You need Windows, macOS, or Linux ARM64 runners you can select immediately. WarpBuild publishes all three as labels; on 9apes they are arranged on request.

- Your builds need more than 8 vCPU. WarpBuild goes to 32 vCPU per runner, where the largest published 9apes label is 8.

- You want one provider covering every platform your matrix touches, rather than running 9apes for Linux and something else alongside it.

## Moving to 9apes

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

## Common questions

**Is migrating from WarpBuild to 9apes difficult?**

Both are selected through the runs-on label, so moving a Linux x86_64 job is a find-and-replace in your workflow files plus installing the 9apes GitHub App.

**Can I run both?**

Yes, and teams with mixed matrices often do. Runners are chosen per job, so Linux jobs can go to 9apes while Windows or macOS jobs stay where they are.

## 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