Fastlane vs. Jenkins For IOS: Choosing The Right CI/CD Workflow

This article provides a comparison of Fastlane and Jenkins, two powerful CI/CD tools for iOS development. It highlights their unique strengths in simplifying deployments and managing complex workflows. You'll also learn which tool—or combination—can best streamline your mobile delivery process.

Is your iOS build process slowing down due to repetitive steps and too many manual tasks? In mobile development, speed matters—and so does quality. Still, many teams face delays from complex build tools or incomplete automation.

Fastlane and Jenkins both aim to fix that. These CI/CD tools support iOS delivery differently, from simplifying deployments to managing detailed build workflows. But which one better fits your needs?

This blog compares Fastlane and Jenkins, breaks down their key strengths, and shares how they fit into modern workflows.

Let’s find the right tool—or mix—for your next iOS project.

What are Jenkins and Fastlane?

Jenkins

Jenkins is a widely adopted open-source automation server that supports continuous integration and delivery pipelines across multiple platforms. Known for its vast plugin library and broad language support, Jenkins automates testing, building, and deploying projects—from mobile apps to enterprise web platforms.

• It's cross-platform and runs on various operating systems.

• Uses a web-based interface known as the Jenkins dashboard to manage builds.

• Requires manual configuration and often demands scripting knowledge.

To install the stable version, use the following command:

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brew install jenkins-lts

After installation, start Jenkins using:

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brew services start jenkins-lts

Once Jenkins is running, visit the Jenkins dashboard in your browser to manage Jenkins, set up jobs, and configure build triggers.

Fastlane

Fastlane is a purpose-built tool designed to automate the deployment process for iOS and Android applications. It's especially helpful for automating tasks such as code signing, uploading to App Store Connect, and generating IPA files.

• Tailored for mobile app development.

• Uses a Ruby environment and is configured using Fastlane files like Fastfile and Appfile.

• Provides easy setup options through setup wizards and integrations.

To install Fastlane, use the following command:

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sudo gem install fastlane -NV

Comparing Jenkins and Fastlane for iOS Development

Key Differences in Scope and Focus

CI/CD Workflow Integration

You can combine Fastlane and Jenkins for a streamlined CI/CD experience:

This approach utilizes the Jenkins job for handling builds and test automation, followed by Fastlane managing deployment, code signing, and submission processes.

Setting Up Jenkins for iOS Projects

To configure Jenkins for your iOS project, follow these steps:

1. Create a Freestyle Project in the Jenkins dashboard.

2. Under the Source Code Management section, connect to your git repository.

3. In the Build Triggers tab, enable triggers like “Poll SCM” or “Build periodically.”

4. Use execute shell steps to build the app, such as:

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xcodebuild -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace -scheme MyApp -sdk iphoneos

5. Add a post build action to trigger Fastlane:

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bundle exec fastlane ios beta

This uses your Fastfile and environment-specific environment variables to manage deployments and versioning.

Setting Up Fastlane for iOS Projects

Fastlane setup involves placing two files (Fastfile and Appfile) in your root directory. These define your deployment lanes and configure app metadata, like bundle identifier and version number.

Example Fastlane Lane:

lane :beta do
  increment_build_number
  build_app(scheme: "MyApp")
  upload_to_testflight
end

Use the following command to initialize:

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fastlane init

Then, integrate it with your development branch by configuring build parameters that detect branch changes in your Jenkins job.

Real-World Use Cases and Pros/Cons

When to Use Jenkins

Use Jenkins if:

• You're managing multiple platforms like iOS, Android, and Web.

• You need flexible build steps and integrations.

• You're operating across various operating systems.

Jenkins Pros:

• Scales well for CI/CD pipelines across large teams.

• Highly customizable with thousands of basic plugins.

• Strong control over build environment and versioning.

Cons:

• Manual setup can be tedious.

• Requires knowledge of scripting and maintenance.

When to Use Fastlane

Use Fastlane if:

• Your primary focus is iOS applications.

• You frequently update apps on App Store Connect.

• You want to automate provisioning profiles and code signing.

Fastlane Pros:

• Built-in support for mobile apps.

• Automates unit tests, builds, and stores submissions.

• Helps manage the release process with fewer manual steps.

Cons:

• May break with toolchain updates.

• Some users report a steep learning curve with Ruby syntax.

Using Jenkins and Fastlane Together: Best Practices

To get the full advantage, integrate both tools strategically:

1. Let Jenkins handle the checkout SCM and execute builds.

2. Use Fastlane for tasks like:

   • run match for managing provisioning profiles.

   • Uploading IPA files to TestFlight.

   • Automating code signing with environment variables.

Set build triggers in Jenkins to detect changes in the develop branch, and pass relevant build parameters to Fastlane. For example:

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export VERSION_NUMBER="2.1.0"
export BUILD_NUMBER="215"

Then run:

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fastlane ios release

This ensures your release process is consistent and repeatable across your CI/CD pipeline.

Make Your iOS Automation Work Smarter!

Choosing between Fastlane and Jenkins impacts how quickly and reliably you deliver iOS apps. Fastlane handles repetitive tasks like code signing and store uploads with ease. Jenkins gives you detailed control over build steps, testing, and team-wide automation. Together, they remove delays and help your team ship updates more confidently.

As release cycles shorten, strong automation becomes a must. Both tools can speed delivery, reduce manual work, and improve your team's workflow. If you're comparing Fastlane vs Jenkins, now is the right time to make that choice work for your team.