Question 1

Do you support standard GitHub Actions?

Accepted Answer

Yes! GetMac is 100% compatible with GitHub Actions. You use the same YAML syntax, same marketplace actions, and same workflows. The only change is the `runs-on` label.

Question 2

How do I switch from GitHub runners to GetMac?

Accepted Answer

Switching is as simple as installing the GetMac GitHub App and updating one line in your workflow file. Change `runs-on: macos-latest` to `runs-on: getmac` (or your specific label), and your builds will instantly run on our dedicated Apple Silicon infrastructure.

Question 3

How much faster are M4 runners?

Accepted Answer

Based on our benchmarks, M4 runners are typically 2.5x to 3x faster than standard GitHub-hosted Intel macos-12 runners, and significantly faster than M1 runners for heavy compilation tasks like Xcode builds.

Question 4

Are GetMac runners bare metal?

Accepted Answer

No. GetMac runners run inside isolated macOS virtual machines using Apple’s Virtualization Framework, backed by dedicated Apple Silicon hardware. This ensures security and instant environment provisioning while delivering near-native performance.

Question 5

What software is pre-installed?

Accepted Answer

Our images come pre-loaded with the standard GitHub Actions toolset: Xcode (latest stable & betas), Fastlane, CocoaPods, Homebrew, and common runtimes like Node.js, Ruby, and Python.

Question 6

Can I SSH or VNC into a runner?

Accepted Answer

Runners are non-interactive by default for security. However, SSH and VNC can be temporarily enabled for controlled debugging scenarios if needed.

Question 7

How secure is the platform?

Accepted Answer

Each runner is a fully isolated VM that is destroyed immediately after your job completes. No state persists between builds. We are actively working toward SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 compliance.

Question 8

Is there a limit on job execution time?

Accepted Answer

The limit depends on the usage type. CI/CD runners (GitHub Actions, GitLab) have a generous 6-hour timeout to handle large builds. Manually started VMs for debugging or testing are capped at 60 minutes.

Question 9

How does caching work with GetMac runners?

Accepted Answer

GetMac supports standard GitHub Actions caching mechanisms, including dependency caching and build artifacts. Because runners are ephemeral, caches should be stored using GitHub’s cache actions or external storage.

Question 10

How many concurrent jobs can I run?

Accepted Answer

Concurrency depends on your plan. GetMac supports parallel macOS jobs without the strict concurrency limits imposed by GitHub-hosted runners. Unlimited concurrency is available on the Enterprise plan by agreement.

Question 11

Do GitHub Actions artifacts work with GetMac?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GetMac runners fully support GitHub Actions artifacts. Uploading and downloading artifacts works exactly the same as with GitHub-hosted runners.

Question 12

How long do runner environments live?

Accepted Answer

Each runner environment is created for a single job and destroyed immediately after completion. No state persists between runs unless explicitly stored via caches or artifacts.

Question 13

How are secrets handled on GetMac runners?

Accepted Answer

Secrets are handled using GitHub Actions’ native secrets mechanism. Secrets are injected at runtime and never persist beyond the job execution.

Question 14

How can I debug a failing build?

Accepted Answer

Most issues can be debugged using standard GitHub Actions logs. For deeper investigation, temporary SSH or VNC access can be enabled under controlled conditions.

Question 15

Can I use GetMac with multiple repositories or teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GetMac projects can be connected to multiple repositories, making it easy to share runners across teams. You can also invite team members per project.

Question 16

How does pricing compare to GitHub?

Accepted Answer

We are up to 70% cheaper than GitHub's per-minute pricing for equivalent performance. Plus, we don't charge extra for concurrency limits on the Pro plan.

Question 17

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer a generous free tier for you to test the performance and compatibility with your workflows. No credit card required.

Question 18

Is there a minimum usage time for runners?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no minimum usage time. Runners are billed per minute.

Question 19

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards. Payment is processed securely through Stripe.

Question 20

Do I need a credit card to sign up?

Accepted Answer

No, a credit card is not required up-front. We offer a free tier with limited usage so you can start building immediately.

Question 21

Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Changes will take effect immediately.

Question 22

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ship 3x faster with
Apple Silicon (M4)