Appveyor vs Visual Studio Team Services: What are the differences?

Introduction:

When choosing between Appveyor and Visual Studio Team Services for your project's continuous integration and delivery needs, it's important to understand the key differences between these two popular tools.

1. Pricing Model: Appveyor typically offers a simpler pricing model with a set price per parallel build, making it a cost-effective option for smaller projects or teams with specific budget constraints. On the other hand, Visual Studio Team Services may offer more flexibility in pricing, especially for larger projects or enterprises with varying needs and resources.

2. Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: Visual Studio Team Services seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools and services, such as Azure DevOps, GitHub, and Microsoft Teams, providing a cohesive development environment within the Microsoft ecosystem. While Appveyor can also integrate with various tools and services, its integration with the Microsoft ecosystem may not be as extensive or seamless.

3. Customization and Extensibility: Visual Studio Team Services offers a wide range of customization options and extensibility through its marketplace, allowing teams to tailor their CI/CD pipelines to specific requirements. Appveyor, while providing some degree of customization, may not offer the same level of flexibility and extensibility as Visual Studio Team Services.

4. Scalability and Enterprise Support: Visual Studio Team Services is well-suited for large enterprises and projects requiring advanced scalability and enterprise-level support, with features such as advanced security controls, compliance tools, and dedicated support options. Appveyor, while capable of handling projects of various sizes, may not provide the same level of scalability and enterprise support as Visual Studio Team Services.

5. Ease of Use and User Interface: Appveyor is known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for teams looking for a straightforward CI/CD solution. Visual Studio Team Services, with its extensive features and capabilities, may have a steeper learning curve for new users, but offers a more comprehensive set of tools and functionalities once mastered.

6. Community and Support Resources: Visual Studio Team Services benefits from its large user community and comprehensive documentation, providing ample resources and support for troubleshooting, best practices, and knowledge sharing. While Appveyor also offers support resources and documentation, the breadth and depth of community engagement may not be as extensive as that of Visual Studio Team Services.

In Summary, understanding the key differences between Appveyor and Visual Studio Team Services in terms of pricing, integration, customization, scalability, user interface, and support resources can help you make an informed decision based on your project's specific requirements and constraints.