GetMac vs. GitHub-Hosted Runners

Build faster on dedicated Apple Silicon macOS runners for GitHub Actions. Predictable performance, lower CI/CD costs, and reliable builds — without shared infrastructure.

Performance

Up to 3x Faster Builds

GitHub-hosted macOS runners operate on shared infrastructure, where hardware contention and queueing can lead to inconsistent build times.

GetMac runs macOS runners on the latest Apple Silicon (M4), using lightweight virtualization strictly for isolation. Each runner is allocated dedicated CPU and memory resources, delivering consistent, high-performance execution without noisy-neighbor effects. In real-world CI workloads, this results in up to 3× faster Xcode builds and test runs compared to standard GitHub-hosted runners.

  • Zero cold start delays
  • Consistent, isolated compute resources
  • Apple Silicon (M4) optimized for macOS CI/CD workloads

Build Time Comparison

GitHub Hosted (Intel)22m 30s
GitHub Hosted (M1)12m 15s
GetMac (M4)7m 45s

* Average times based on real-world project compilation benchmarks.

Save up to 70%

Compared to standard GitHub-hosted macOS runner pricing per minute.

Cost Efficiency

Significantly Lower Cost

GitHub charges a premium for macOS minutes, especially for newer silicon. With GetMac, you get superior hardware at a fraction of the price.

Because our runners are faster, you also burn fewer minutes per build. Combining lower rates with faster execution results in drastic overall savings for your CI budget.

No Queue Times

Shared clouds often have wait times during peak hours. Our fleet is optimized to ensure your jobs start immediately.

Total Isolation

Every job runs in a pristine, isolated environment that is destroyed immediately after use. No cross-contamination.

Drop-in Integration

Zero friction. Works seamlessly with Xcode, Fastlane, Docker, and your existing GitHub Actions workflows.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature
GitHub Hosted
GetMacGetMac
Processor
Intel / Older M1
Apple M4 Silicon
Performance
Variable / Throttled
Consistent / Max
Environment
Shared Virtualization
Dedicated Isolation
Queue Times
Variable
Instant
Cost Efficiency
High Premium
Up to 70% Cheaper
Setup Effort
None
< 5 Minutes
SSH Debugging
Observability
Limited Logs
Full Insights
VNC Debugging
FeatureGitHub HostedGetMac
ProcessorIntel / Older M1Apple M4 Silicon
PerformanceVariable / ThrottledConsistent / Max
EnvironmentShared VirtualizationDedicated Isolation
Queue TimesVariableInstant
Cost EfficiencyHigh PremiumUp to 70% Cheaper
Setup EffortNone< 5 Minutes
SSH DebuggingNot AvailableAvailable
ObservabilityLimited LogsFull Insights
VNC DebuggingNot AvailableAvailable

* SSH and VNC access are disabled by default for security, but can be temporarily enabled for debugging sessions.

Stop waiting. Start building.

Experience the difference of dedicated Apple Silicon infrastructure for your CI pipelines.

No credit card required • 5-minute setup
GetMac vs GitHub Hosted Runners | 3x Faster, 70% Cheaper | GetMac