Is Github Actions really free?

[sbanoeon]

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We have public repositories under this organization RWTH-EBC and we are using Github Actions in some of our open projects. I would like to ask if there is a limit on the number of minutes when using Github-hosted runners.

This documentation says Github Free has 2000 minutes.

Then there is this statement 'GitHub Actions usage is free for standard GitHub-hosted runners in public repositories, and for self-hosted runners. ' here.

Is it that Github Actions is free for public repositories without a limit, or is it limited to 2000 minutes per month and it will be billed automatically when it exceeds this limit?

Thank you!

[ebndev]

Hi @sbanoeon, thanks for being a part of the GitHub Community!

According to the docs:

• For public repositories, standard GitHub-hosted runners and self-hosted runners are free and unlimited.
• Private repositories have a free limit, and overages are billed based on spending limits.
• Larger runners always cost money, even in public repositories.

GitHub Actions usage is free for standard GitHub-hosted runners in public repositories, and for self-hosted runners.

For private repositories, each GitHub account receives a certain amount of free minutes and storage for use with GitHub-hosted runners, depending on the account's plan. Any usage beyond the included amounts is controlled by spending limits, which you can control in your settings. For more information, see About spending limits.

The minutes Included minutes cannot be used for larger runners. These runners will always be charged for, including in public repositories. For more information, see About billing for GitHub Actions.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[sbanoeon]

Thank you for the answer!
That means with self-hosted runners, usage is free in both public and private repositories, is this also correct?