Google Cloud Build vs. Concourse

Cloud Build is an entirely serverless platform that automatically adjusts its resources to fit the demand, which removes the necessity for preemptively provisioning servers or paying in advance for additional capacity, thus allowing users to pay only for what they actually use. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for enterprises, as it enables the integration of custom build steps and the use of pre-built extensions for third-party applications, which can smoothly incorporate both legacy and custom tools into ongoing build workflows. To bolster security in the software supply chain, it features vulnerability scanning and can automatically block the deployment of compromised images based on policies set by DevSecOps teams, ensuring higher safety standards. The platform’s ability to dynamically scale eliminates the hassle of managing, upgrading, or expanding any infrastructure. Furthermore, builds are capable of running in a fully managed environment that spans multiple platforms, including Google Cloud, on-premises setups, other public cloud services, and private networks. Users can also generate portable images directly from the source without the need for a Dockerfile by utilizing buildpacks, which simplifies the development process. Additionally, the support for Tekton pipelines operating on Kubernetes not only enhances scalability but also offers the self-healing benefits that Kubernetes provides, all while retaining a degree of flexibility that helps prevent vendor lock-in. Consequently, organizations can dedicate their efforts to improving development processes without the distractions and challenges associated with infrastructure management, ultimately streamlining their overall workflow.

Concourse is an open-source platform tailored for continuous automation, which simplifies workflows through its key components: resources, tasks, and jobs, rendering it particularly effective for CI/CD scenarios. The pipeline operates akin to a distributed, ongoing Makefile, where each job delineates a build plan that details the required input resources and the actions to undertake when those resources change. Users can utilize the web UI to visually navigate their pipeline, effortlessly moving from a job's failure point to diagnosing the root causes with just a single click. This visual feedback loop serves as an important "gut check," indicating that any anomalies should be scrutinized. Moreover, jobs can be interconnected through dependency configurations, forming a dynamic graph of jobs and resources that continuously propels your project from the initial codebase to its deployment stage. Configuration and management tasks are executed via the fly CLI, with the fly set-pipeline command facilitating the upload of configuration to Concourse. After verifying that the setup is correct, developers can commit the configuration to their source control repository, ensuring that the automation evolves in tandem with the needs of the project. This adaptability and clarity not only enhance the development process but also make Concourse an indispensable tool for software teams aiming to optimize their continuous integration and delivery pipelines. With its robust features, Concourse empowers developers to maintain a high level of efficiency and responsiveness in their workflows.