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GoCD

gocd.org

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Spec score 8.6 #4 of 32 in Continuous Delivery Software

What it is

GoCD is an open-source server for continuous delivery and release automation. Its Value Stream Map follows changes from commit to deployment, showing upstream causes and downstream effects while allowing users to navigate jobs. Workflow models can coordinate dependencies and parallel execution, and traceability tools compare files and commit messages across builds. GoCD can pass a once-built binary through pipeline stages, run cross-platform tests in parallel, and report the changeset and platform where a test failure began. It supports delivery workflows for Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, and other cloud environments; Kubernetes use can include dynamically scaled agents. Plugins connect external tools, with catalog options for Docker Registry, S3 artifacts, Kubernetes agents, and secrets managers. The project is self-hosted, free under the Apache License, Version 2.0, and offers packages for Windows, macOS, Debian, RPM, and ZIP, plus Docker and Kubernetes/Helm options. New installations do not require authentication. GoCD 26.1.0 requires Java 21 as its minimum supported version.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GoCD is an open-source continuous delivery and release automation server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Integrations
GoCD has a plugin architecture and its plugin catalog includes integrations for Docker, AWS S3, Kubernetes, LDAP/AD, GitHub, Slack, and other tools.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Security
The 26.1.0 release notes describe fixes for API authorization bypasses and cross-site scripting, and recommend upgrading to that version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Support
A GoCD project status post says commercial support ended in December 2020 and that there has been no commercial or enterprise support offering since January 2021.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
License
GoCD is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Founded
2007Read 28 Sep 2026 · gocd.org
Access control
After security is configured, GoCD supports restricting operations to specific users or roles.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.gocd.org
Artifact promotion
GoCD can pass once-built binaries between pipeline stages so teams can verify which tested binary is being deployed.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Cloud deployments
GoCD supports delivery workflows on Kubernetes, Docker, and AWS.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Cloud support
The official site describes workflows for Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, and other cloud environments.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Deployment controls
Manual triggers let users deploy a known-good version to a chosen environment, with deployment described as securable and auditable.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Download platforms
The download page lists Windows, macOS, Debian/APT, RPM/YUM/DNF, ZIP, Docker, and Kubernetes/Helm options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Downloads
The download page lists Windows, macOS, Debian/APT, RPM/YUM/DNF, and ZIP packages, plus Docker and Kubernetes/Helm options.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Java requirement
GoCD 26.1.0 makes Java 21 the minimum supported version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Kubernetes
GoCD can run on Kubernetes using its Helm chart and official Docker images, and can dynamically scale Kubernetes agents.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
License and sponsor
GoCD is sponsored by Thoughtworks and distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Maker history
Thoughtworks says it was founded in Chicago in 1993.Read 3 Oct 2026 · thoughtworks.com
Plugin ecosystem
The plugin catalog includes options for Docker Registry, S3 artifacts, Kubernetes agents, and secrets managers; some plugins are community maintained and may be unmaintained.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Plugin maintenance
The plugin catalog says community-written plugins may be unmaintained and advises users to proceed carefully.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Testing
Its agent grid supports parallel, cross-platform test execution, and test reporting identifies the changeset and platform where a test began failing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Traceability
GoCD tracks changes from commit to deploy and lets users compare files and commit messages across builds.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Value stream map
Its Value Stream Map tracks a change from commit to deployment and shows upstream causes and downstream effects.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Visualization
Its value stream map shows the path to production and lets users navigate jobs and spot inefficiencies.Read 3 Oct 2026 · gocd.org
Workflow modeling
It supports parallel and sequential pipeline execution, dependency management, and fan-in/fan-out workflows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org

Plans and prices

GoCD Free Open-source continuous delivery server · Downloadable for free Read 4 Oct 2026 · gocd.org

Every GoCD plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Value Stream Map follows changes from commit to deployment.
  • Supports parallel execution and dependency management.
  • Promotes once-built binaries between pipeline stages.
  • Offers Docker and Kubernetes/Helm deployment options.
  • Free under Apache License, Version 2.0.

Limits

  • A new installation does not require authentication.
  • Some community-written plugins may be unmaintained.
  • GoCD 26.1.0 requires Java 21 or later.

Who it suits

GoCD suits teams that want to model and trace software delivery pipelines on a self-hosted server. It may fit teams working across parallel tests or Kubernetes, Docker, and AWS workflows, provided they can configure security and maintain their plugin choices.

Verdict

GoCD provides pipeline modeling, change traceability, and deployment workflow controls in a free, self-hosted package. Plan for authentication configuration and check the maintenance status of any community plugins you rely on.

Where Specifiction places it

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