What is the GitHub Enterprise 'consumption' model for GitHub Actions minutes?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation and Infographic
GitHub's Actions billing has a multiplier based on runner OS. Linux is the baseline. Windows costs 2× and macOS costs 10× per minute. Self-hosted runners don't cost per-minute — you pay for the underlying compute directly.
Full explanation below image
Full Explanation
GitHub Actions minute consumption for GitHub-hosted runners uses a tiered pricing model based on the runner operating system: (1) Linux — 1× multiplier (base rate, cheapest). (2) Windows — 2× multiplier (twice the Linux rate per minute). (3) macOS — 10× multiplier (ten times the Linux rate per minute, most expensive). Free plan users get a monthly minute allowance; paid plans include allowances with overages billed. Enterprise plans often include large minute allocations. Self-hosted runners have no per-minute charges from GitHub — organizations pay only for their own underlying infrastructure (VMs, cloud instances). This pricing structure encourages using Linux runners when possible and reserving Windows/macOS for platform-specific testing needs.