Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons)
Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons). Continuous integration is integrating changes made to a code from different developers into the mainline software project as early as possible. It enables the developers to detect any errors. You can use different tools for continuous integration, including Jenkins and Bamboo. In this article, I will discuss these two continuous integration tools, their differences and the pros and cons of applying either tool.
Let’s start reading Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons).
What is Jenkins?
To start with Jenkins is an open source continuous integration tool written in Java that allows developers to build, test and launch newly created codes. You can use it to build and test software projects, making it easier to make and add project changes. It is a tool that makes software development faster through automation. It is one of the most popular continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) tools.
Features of Jenkins
Extensible
Using the available plug ins, Jenkins can be extended and customized. This provides unlimited possibilities for what you can use it for.
Direct Scripting
Scripting can be done directly on the UI to update or create tasks and pipelines.
Easy Distributions
Also with Jenkins you can distribute it for works, tests and it builds easily across multiple platforms and multiple work machines. Leads to faster deployment.
Supports Most Environment
Additionally Jenkins server supports most cloud based architecture and environments. The major cloud platforms it supports include Amazon, Azure, Google and IBM Cloud.
Runs Parallel Builds
Moreover Jenkins runs parallel builds on different machines to decrease the time for completing other activities.
Pros of Jenkins
Community Support
It is an open-source tool; thus, it provides access to support from a community of skilled developers. Those are using or have used the same tool. Also it provides support through Cloudbees.
Easy Installation Process
The installation process is not complicated or technical. So, no special skill is needed when using the tool.
Unlimited Plugins
Has over 1000 plugins that help make your work easier. If the plugin does not exist, you can even create one to use it. Then share it with the community.
Low cost
Well Jenkins is free and low cost. Available to any developer in CI/CD.
Easily Accessible
With an easy to access on all major platforms it makes the installation process less complicated.
Integration with CI/CD Platforms
Interacts with other continuous integration tools and CI/CD platforms. This is possible due to the plugins that allow you to connect with other platforms.
Easy to Debug
Detecting an error on Jenkins is easy due to the continuous integration. Helps you focus more on developing while correcting errors instead of wasting time creating error ridden integrations. Simply it helps you to save time.
Cons of Jenkins
Outdated Plugins
Although Jenkins has a lot of plugins, they seem too much to maintain. This causes more work for you, as you have to ensure that you get a regular update on the plugin you use.
Usability
User interface with Jenkins is not friendly. First time users might have difficulty using the tool comfortably.
Maintenance
You are responsible for maintaining your infrastructure and project. Maintaining the plugins is also your responsibility. This is a disadvantage, especially if you are new to the tool since failure to maintain a plugin can lead to a breakdown.
Too Many Plugins
To use Jenkins effectively, you must install many plugins, especially modernizing them. Considering that maintaining these plugins is on the user, this is a big disadvantage. Also, a lot of plugins have a problem with the updating process.
No Collaboration Features
It does not have a collaboration feature for teams. What is being done by one developer can not be seen by another developer. Only the manager has this privilege. When you are working on a larger project, this will make issue tracking harder.
Tracking Errors
Although the tool helps to detect errors, the error notifications are not usually clear on where the error occurred. This might cause a problem when working on a larger project. You will have to search for the error manually to remedy it.
Now it is time with Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ? to learn about Bamboo.
What is Bamboo?
So now the Bamboo is an automation server tool used for continuous integration provided by Atlassian. It helps with the release management for software applications and creating continuous delivery. This tool allows developers to build, document, integrate, and test processes . In addition the source codes prepare an app for quicker deployment or launching. Comes with a feature that deploys the program automatically into the server to save time, as opposed to manual testing.
Features of Bamboo
Tests Environments Using Software Builds
Particularly with Bamboo it sends a continuous flow of builds with which it tests environments and automatically releases builds to users.
Databases Supported
Currently supports Mysql, Postgres, SQL Server, and Oracle databases.
Build Agent Management
Featured with an impressive build agent management with which you can scale build capacity by connecting servers on your network.
Integration
Integrates using Jira Software and Bitbucket server. Helps provide end to end visibility until release.
Automation
Gives automated integration as you work on it to help you avoid errors that might make your work or project futile.
Pros of Bamboo
Better UI
The user interface for Bamboo is friendly. A first time user will have no problem finding his way around the tool.
In built Functionalities
Most functionalities of the Bamboo tool are in built so that you will have little to no need for plugins.
Professional Technical Support
Since Bamboo is a commercialized tool, it comes with a provided team of professional support that will help you with any technical problems.
Automated Integration
As soon as you input or commit a code on the tool, the tool triggers build and integration tests automatically to provide continuous integration. This leaves you more time to code.
Collaboration Features
Has collaboration features that help teams of developers to work on one project easily. Provides a reporting process where each developer can see what is being done by another developer on the project.
Cons of Bamboo
High cost
You will have to pay some fee to gain a license to use the tool. This is a disadvantage if you don’t have a source of funding for the project you wish to embark on.
Integration with Other Tools
The dashboard to Bamboo needs some improvement when it comes to being able to integrate with other continuous integration/continuous development tools.
Limited Technical Support
Thirdly Bamboo provides a team of professional support to its subscribers. However, they provide expert support. A limitation to those who use the tool compared to Jenkins, which offers a whole community.
Limited OS
Limited Plugin Ecosystem
Limited plugin options for its users. They are only available on the Atlassian marketplace and are less than 200.
Comparison time now with Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ?
Differences between Jenkins and Bamboo
Licensing
Jenkins
Here with Jenkins is a free, open source tool with the support of a global community. Makes it easily accessible and available. Customers can easily shape it to meet their desire for continuous integration or delivery.
Bamboo
But Bamboo is a commercial tool developed by Atlassian for commercial purposes. With dedicated team for development, which implies that you can not shape it easily.
Cost
Jenkins
Mainly here Jenkins is a tool that is available for free because it is open source. Thus, any individual or team of developers in DevOps can download and use Jenkins for free.
Bamboo
Oppositely Bamboo is a paid tool. Price depends on your usage of the tool and the number of remote agents you will need for your project. To use Bamboo, you will get a 30-day free trial, after which you are to pay $1200 for a subscription. The more expensive your plan, the more agents you will get.
Technical Support
Jenkins
Thus Jenkins is supported by the open source community and extra professional help from Cloudbees. A company enables tech companies to respond swiftly to problems with their software delivery.
Bamboo
Similarly Bamboo has great professional support from its team, which is made available only to licensed customers. It also has help from the Atlassian community.
Plugins
Jenkins
There is plenty of plugins with Jenkins that make their customers’ work easier and give them a wider range of choices.
Bamboo
On the other hand Bamboo comes with its features built in, including its plugins. You can get hundreds of plugins made available for Bamboo on the Atlassian marketplace.
Usability
Jenkins
Usability of Jenkins focuses more on functionality than usability. Meaning it is not as user friendly as Bamboo. However, developers can use the plugin features to help modify the interface to their needs.
Bamboo
But on the other hand, Bamboo has a better and more friendly user interface. Pleasant and straightforward. Although this does not affect the capability, it makes it easier to use and modify.
Installation Process
Jenkins
Installation of Jenkins is simple for you to install. Since it is a Java application you can launch it immediately after download. However, you must install Java on the system.
Bamboo
Now with Bamboo’s installation process is more complicated. You have a configuration process with a lot of technicalities. Well you need certain things to be installed, created, and established for you to use it. The installation process is lengthy.
Browsers
Jenkins
Browsers of Jenkins will work well for you for Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Bamboo
Whereas Bamboo is just as selective as Jenkins and works only with Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Edge.
Well, that is a wrap for Jenkins vs Bamboo – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons).
Jenkins vs Bamboo - What's the Difference ? Conclusion
To sum up both Jenkins and Bamboo are effective tools for continuous integration and development. Whichever will benefit you more depends on the resources available for you to use and your needs. However, Bamboo is a more current CI/CD tool, so if you are looking for a modern tool, Jenkins might not be your best option.
Why don’t you take a look at our Jenkins content here.
