Ccache

Overview

Ccache is a free build utility for projects that repeatedly compile eligible source files with supported compilers. It is most compelling in development workflows where the same single-file compilations recur; it is not a whole-build cache.

Its broad compiler and build-system coverage makes it a practical option across varied toolchains, but the single-file boundary matters: linking, multi-file compilation, and unsupported flags still use the real compiler.

Key features

Compilation reuse and scope

Ccache detects repeated compilations and reuses cached results. Direct and depend modes can skip preprocessing, reducing work on a cache hit. The benefit is workload-dependent: builds dominated by eligible repeated compilations stand to gain most, while time spent linking or compiling multiple files together remains outside its reach.

Misses are not free. Ccache says they typically add 5%–20% overhead, or 1%–3% with depend mode enabled, and recommends measuring representative workloads. That makes it a better fit for projects with enough repeat work to offset the cost than for builds that mostly encounter misses.

Toolchain and build-system coverage

Compiler support includes GCC, Clang, MSVC, NVCC, Intel C++, QNX, and EDG-based compilers. Supported languages include C, C++, assembler, CUDA, Objective-C, and Objective-C++, with support levels varying by compiler and language. Make, CMake, Ninja, and Visual Studio are supported build systems. This breadth suits mixed toolchains, but a project should confirm support for its exact compiler and language combination.

Storage, management, and integrity

Ccache can use custom backends for remote caching, with storage helpers for HTTP, HTTPS, Redis, rediss, and redis+unix. This gives teams ways to adapt it to remote storage, rather than a packaged hosted cache service. It tracks hit and miss statistics and manages cache size automatically.

Zstandard compression, BLAKE3 input hashing, and XXH3 checksums support compact storage, cache-key calculation, and corruption detection. Direct mode has a documented corner case that can produce false-positive cache hits, a caveat worth weighing where cache correctness is especially sensitive. Release archives from version 4.12 onward are signed with minisign, with verification instructions provided on the download page.

Pricing

Ccache costs nothing, under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. The free software plan includes caching single-file compilations, while some compiler flags fall back to the real compiler. There is no paid tier to choose between, but users should account for its compilation limits and miss overhead when deciding whether it suits their workload.

Platforms

Runtime support at level A covers Linux, macOS, and native Windows; Windows with MSYS2 and other Unix-like platforms are supported at level B. Downloads include source archives, macOS and Linux binaries, and a Windows x86_64 binary for version 4.14.1. Self-hosting is supported, which suits teams managing their own build infrastructure.

Who it's for

Ccache is a strong fit for developers and teams that repeatedly compile individual files using supported toolchains and want a free, self-hostable cache with options for remote storage. It is less suitable when build time is concentrated in linking, multi-file compilation, unsupported flags, or workloads with too few cache hits to offset miss overhead. The project provides bug reporting, issue tracking, discussions, and a mailing list for community support.

Pros and cons

• Broad toolchain and build-system coverage: support spans major compiler families, several languages, and Make, CMake, Ninja, and Visual Studio, though support levels vary.
• Free, self-hostable software: the GPL-licensed plan has no subscription price and can fit teams operating their own infrastructure.
• Flexible remote storage: custom backends and listed HTTP, HTTPS, and Redis-family helpers let teams adapt caching to their storage setup.
• Narrow compilation scope: multi-file compilation, linking, and unsupported flags fall back to the compiler, limiting gains for builds dominated by those tasks.
• Miss overhead and direct-mode caveat: misses can add time, and direct mode has a false-positive-hit corner case to consider.

Alternatives

Bitrise is worth considering for teams seeking a broader build platform across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and self-hosted environments; its free Hobby plan is for a team of one and provides build credits for a small project a few times per month.

EngFlow Remote Caching may suit teams that want in-cluster remote caching on one machine with up to 32 CPU cores on its free Linux plan, or an enterprise option with custom pricing.

cachepot is another free, open-source option for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments.

NativeLink is a better match for teams seeking a self-hosted distributed scheduler and remote caching across build systems, with major cloud-provider support in its open-source offering.

FosterStack offers a full self-hosted cache server on its free, MIT-licensed plan, with security patches and a FIPS image included; it may suit teams wanting a cache server rather than Ccache's single-file compilation cache.

Cachely is a hosted API-and-web option whose free plan includes 1 GiB of managed storage, 500K requests per month, three workspaces, five API tokens, and a build insights dashboard.

Buildless may suit teams looking for an API-and-web service with a free individual/OSS offer of one project, one user, 3GB of cache space, and 100GB of transfer, marked as coming soon.

Vercel is a web and API platform rather than a direct single-file compilation-cache alternative.

For more options, browse Build Cache Software.

Verdict

Choose Ccache if repeated single-file compilations make up meaningful work in your builds and you want a free tool with broad compiler support and adaptable storage. Look elsewhere if you need a cache for whole builds, linking, or multi-file compilation, or if misses are likely to outweigh the repeated work it can save.