Best Jira Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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Jira is a project management tool that provides issue tracking and Agile project management, allowing teams to handle tasks efficiently. However, some teams might look for Jira alternatives due to its complexity or a need for features that better align with their project requirements. Here are my recommendations for the top Jira alternatives.
What Is Jira?
Jira is a project management software designed to help teams track and manage their work. It’s widely used by software developers, project managers, and other team members to plan, track, and release software.
Jira simplifies issue tracking and project management, allowing users to manage complex projects and improve team efficiency. It also provides tools for backlog grooming, sprint planning, and work progress tracking through customizable workflows.
Why Look For A Jira Alternative?
You might be looking for an alternative to Jira if you have any of the following issues.
- Cost Concerns: You find Jira's pricing model too expensive for your budget.
- Complexity Issues: You struggle with Jira's complexity and steep learning curve.
- Integration Limitations: You need better integration options with other tools and services.
- Performance Problems: You experience slow performance or downtime with Jira.
- Feature Fit: You require features or customization options that Jira does not offer.
Jira alternatives can provide different features, pricing models, and user experiences that may better align with your specific project management needs.
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Jira Alternatives Summary
We’ve investigated the pricing and availability of free trials and demo versions so you can make a much simpler side-by-side comparison.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Shortcut | From $8.50/user/month | Website |
ClickUp | From $7/user/month | Website |
Zoho Sprints | From $3 /user/month for up to 100 users | Website |
Wrike | From $10/user/month (min of 2 seats) | Website |
Jama Software | Pricing Upon Request | Website |
monday.com | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Miro | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Nifty | From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
MeisterTask | From $8.25/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
Teamwork.com | From $10.99/user/month (min 3 users, billed annually) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare Software-
Wrike
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
Hub Planner
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
Miro
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Reviews Of The Best Jira Alternatives
I’ve prepared a detailed analysis and overview of each Jira alternative. I’ll guide you through these tools’ advantages and disadvantages, features, and best use cases.
Shortcut is a comprehensive project management tool that integrates various aspects of planning and development into a single platform. It offers a range of features including issue tracking, sprint planning, roadmaps, and goals, which help teams move through their workflows and enhance productivity.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
Unlike Jira, which often has a steeper learning curve and can be overwhelming for non-technical users, Shortcut is designed to be intuitive and straightforward. This makes it an excellent choice for teams that include members from various departments who may not have a technical background. Furthermore, Shortcut offers tightly integrated doc management, issue tracking, sprint planning, objectives, and roadmap features, which ensure a simplified workflow for developers and project managers alike.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include reporting capabilities that measure and review progress toward team goals and roadmaps to map out projects across teams, communicate health progress, and align target dates. It also offers sprint planning to manage recurring sprints and track story points.
Integrations include Slack, GitHub, GitLab, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Google Calendar, Zapier, Figma, Sentry, Zendesk, Clockify, Everhour, Bitbucket Cloud, Productboard, and Loom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexibility in managing tasks and projects
- Agile-focused features
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Lacks features for time tracking and project budgeting
- Could offer more integrations
ClickUp is a comprehensive project management and productivity tool designed to streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration. It offers a wide range of features, including task management, time tracking, and goal setting, all within a user-friendly interface. ClickUp's versatility makes it suitable for various industries and team sizes.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
As a Jira alternative, ClickUp stands out due to its more advanced project management features and higher degree of customization. Both ClickUp and Jira offer essential task management tools like Kanban boards and timelines, but ClickUp goes further by providing features like real-time chat, document creation, whiteboards, and mind maps. These tools enhance collaboration and communication among team members, something Jira lacks to the same extent. Additionally, ClickUp's user-friendly interface and intuitive design make it more accessible for teams with varying technical expertise.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include its goals and OKRs tool, which allows teams to set, track, and achieve their strategic objectives within the platform. Another notable feature is the automation capability, which helps streamline repetitive tasks, reducing manual effort and increasing productivity. Furthermore, ClickUp's time-tracking feature enables teams to monitor how much time is spent on different tasks and projects, providing valuable insights for improving efficiency and resource allocation.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Evernote, Outlook, Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Zendesk, Trello, Asana, Monday.com, Toggl, Harvest, HubSpot, Airtable, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Visually appealing user interface
- Good for managing complex projects
- Offers a free plan with many features
Cons:
- Hierarchical structure can be confusing
- Extensive customization can take time to learn
Zoho Sprints is an agile project management tool designed to help teams plan, track, and manage their work efficiently. It supports scrum teams by providing tools for creating user stories, managing backlogs, and tracking progress through sprints.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
Zoho Sprints is a great Jira alternative for teams that prioritize agile methodologies. Zoho Sprints includes customizable Scrum and Kanban boards that enable teams to effectively manage their tasks and workflows through a simple drag-and-drop interface. This feature is particularly beneficial for teams looking to enhance their task management processes without the complexity that often accompanies Jira. Additionally, Zoho Sprints offers comprehensive reporting tools such as burn-up and burn-down charts, which provide valuable insights into project progress and team performance.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include backlog management, velocity charts, cumulative flow diagrams, timesheets for logging work hours, a centralized dashboard for tracking KPIs and other team performance metrics, custom work item types based on existing categories like Stories, Tasks, and Bugs, custom priorities, status timelines, and multi-language support.
Integrations include Zoho's other products, like Zoho Meetings and Zoho Projects, as well as other third-party apps like BitBucket, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, Jenkins, GitLab, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrates well with other Zoho applications
- Detailed reports and dashboards
- Effective for agile project management
Cons:
- Occasional lags with larger projects
- Setting up the tool may require additional assistance
Wrike is a versatile project management tool designed to cater to various industries, including marketing, operations, and professional services. It provides a comprehensive suite of features that enhance project planning, execution, and collaboration. Wrike's intuitive interface and extensive customization options make it suitable for teams of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
While both Wrike and Jira offer robust task management and project tracking features, Wrike is particularly advantageous for teams that require a versatile tool across various departments and project types. It excels in managing complex projects across different industries with features like Gantt charts and resource management. The software also has a simpler onboarding process, contrasting Jira's extensive setup and customization requirements.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include dynamic request forms allowing teams to capture detailed project requirements efficiently, streamlining the initiation phase, and ensuring clarity from the start. The proofing tool supports collaboration by enabling team members to review, comment on, and approve documents and creative assets within the platform, while the cross-tagging feature increases visibility and collaboration across different departments.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Calendar, Outlook, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Asana, Evernote, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive analytics
- Good approval and review workflows
- Flexible project templates for different project types and industries
Cons:
- Mobile app is limited compared to desktop version
- Lack of in-platform chat option
Jama Connect is a comprehensive requirements management and traceability software platform designed to improve product development processes. It provides features like Live Traceability™ to enhance quality, reduce rework, ensure compliance, and accelerate time-to-market.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
While both Jama Connect and Jira offer robust project management and collaboration tools, Jama Connect distinguishes itself with specialized features for requirements management and traceability. Jama Connect excels in providing real-time traceability, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and managing complex product development processes. It includes advanced risk management, comprehensive test and quality management, and a more rigorous approach to change management.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the review center, which captures reviews, approvals, and feedback from stakeholders in one central place. It also offers risk and hazard analysis, allowing teams to perform risk analysis, trace open risks, and ensure compliance with standards like ISO 14971 and IEC 60812. Furthermore, its baseline management enables teams to compare versions, generate branches, and create catalogs of reusable requirements.
Integrations include IBM DOORS, Azure DevOps, GitHub, GitLab, Confluence, Jira, Salesforce, ServiceNow, MATLAB Simulink, VectorCAST, Jenkins, Zephyr, TestRail, JUnit, Selenium, Bamboo, Rally, PTC Integrity, Polarion, and Excel.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- High level of customization
- Multiple users can edit documents simultaneously
- Good systematic approach to organizing requirements
Cons:
- Exporting and importing data, especially to Excel, may require reformatting
- Can be a difficult platform to learn initially
monday.com is a work OS that allows teams to run projects and workflows confidently. It's best for workflow customization due to its flexibility and user-friendly interface.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
I selected monday.com for this list because it can adapt to various workflow requirements. Its customizable features provide an advantage for teams looking to tailor their project management experience.
Standout features & integrations:
monday.com's key features include customizable templates, time tracking, and automation to reduce manual work. It also offers visual project tracking with multiple views such as Kanban and Gantt charts.
The platform’s integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multiple project views for better tracking and management
- Automation features to save time on repetitive tasks
- Customizable templates for various projects and workflows
Cons:
- May require time to understand and utilize all features fully
- Can become expensive as teams grow due to per-user pricing
Miro is a collaborative online workspace that offers visual project management and collaboration tools to help teams plan, brainstorm, and execute projects. With features such as diagramming, process mapping, and data visualization, Miro provides a comprehensive solution for teams to work together visually and efficiently.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
I included Miro in this list because it stands out for its visual project management capabilities, such as diagramming, process mapping, and collaboration, making it suitable for diverse teams. Miro's all-in-one visual workspace and collaborative features make it the best choice for visual project management and collaboration, enabling teams to work together effectively and efficiently.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a visual Kanban framework, task cards, task connectors and dependency mapping, task management integrations, and over 2500 ready-made templates and frameworks to jumpstart your project planning. Miro also offers enterprise-grade security and integrations with over 130 tools, making it a valuable tool for large-scale collaboration and innovation.
Integrations include Zoom, Google Meet, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Google Calendar, Powerpack, Super Search, and Planning Poke. Miro also offers the ability to build custom app integrations via Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive library of shapes, icons, and images
- Easily accessible from mobile devices and tablets
- Intuitive and easy-to-use
Cons:
- May be expensive for larger teams
- Lack of advanced project management features
Nifty is a project management tool that centralizes project planning, tracking, and collaboration. It is best for team productivity because its features simplify workflows and enhance collaboration.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
I chose Nifty for the list because it offers a centralized platform for managing projects, which is crucial for maintaining team productivity. Its ability to combine discussions, roadmaps, tasks, and reporting in one place makes it a standout alternative to Jira, especially for teams looking for a unified workspace.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include discussions, roadmaps (Gantt Chart), goals, tasks, forms, docs & files, time tracking, and reporting. These features are designed to facilitate project management and team collaboration effectively.
Integrations include Google Docs, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, GitHub, Trello, Asana, Bitbucket, Google Calendar, and Google Drive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible pricing with a free plan is available
- Comprehensive feature set for collaboration
- Centralized project management platform
Cons:
- Document versioning mechanism could be improved
- Limited number of templates are available
MeisterTask is a task management tool emphasizing security and compliance, making it ideal for teams to prioritize these aspects in their workflow.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
I chose MeisterTask for the list because it offers a secure and compliant environment for task management, which is essential for teams handling sensitive information. Its focus on security features, such as 256-bit SSL encryption and two-factor authentication, makes it stand out as a good Jira alternative.
Standout features & integrations:
MeisterTask provides a user-friendly dashboard and Kanban-style project boards that help teams visualize workflows and manage tasks effectively. The platform includes features like automation to save time on repetitive tasks, built-in time tracking, and recurring tasks to streamline workflows.
Additionally, MeisterTask offers insights into team productivity with its reporting tools, adding a statistics-driven dimension to project and task management.
MeisterTask integrates with a range of tools to enhance project management capabilities. These integrations include Slack, GitHub, Zendesk, MindMeister, Office 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zapier, Harvest, and Bugsnag.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers a free plan and a 14-day free trial for paid plans
- User-friendly interface with customizable Kanban boards
- GDPR-compliant and offers robust security features
Cons:
- Analytics and reporting are limited
- Free version has limited features
Teamwork is a project management platform tailored for client work. It's best for managing client projects, resources, and collaboration in one place. The tool's focus on client work management makes it ideal for agencies, consulting services, IT services, and architecture & engineering firms.
Why it's a good Jira alternative:
I chose Teamwork for the list because it offers a suite of features specifically designed for client work management. Its emphasis on collaboration and resource optimization makes it a standout alternative to Jira, especially for service-based businesses.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include time tracking, resource management, and customizable templates. These tools help teams stay on top of tasks, timelines, and billable minutes.
Integrations include Slack, Zapier, MS Teams, Google Drive, QuickBooks, HubSpot, OneDrive Business, SharePoint, and Microsoft Project.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrates with a variety of other tools
- Offers a range of project templates
- Custom-built for client services businesses
Cons:
- Most advanced features only available on higher-level plans
- Some platform processes could be more user-friendly
Other Jira Alternatives
Below is a list of additional Jira alternatives that we shortlisted but did not include in the top list. They’re definitely worth checking out!
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Selection Criteria For Jira Alternatives
When selecting Jira alternatives, choosing software based on functionality and the ability to meet specific use cases is crucial. This ensures that the software addresses everyday needs and supports essential functions. Each criterion is weighted to reflect its importance to software buyers.
Core Jira Alternatives Functionality - 25% of total weighting score
Common features for Jira alternatives typically include Scrum boards, Kanban boards, customizable workflows, reports and dashboards, time tracking, Gantt charts, issue tracking, developer tool integrations, drag-and-drop automation, and mobile applications.
To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best Jira alternatives, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill everyday use cases.
- Agile project management
- Continuous delivery workflows
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Integration with development tools
- Task and issue tracking
Additional Standout Features - 25% of total weighting score
- Advanced security and compliance features like SAML SSO and two-factor authentication
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for additional functionality
- Unique automation capabilities that streamline repetitive tasks
- Innovative mobile app features that enhance on-the-go project management
- Detailed wikis for team documentation and knowledge sharing
Usability - 10% of total weighting score
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces
- Clear and aesthetically pleasing dashboard layouts
- Easy-to-navigate menus and user settings
- Role-based access that is simple to configure
- Minimal clicks are required to perform common tasks
Onboarding - 10% of total weighting score
- Availability of interactive product tours and tutorials
- Comprehensive training videos and documentation
- Seamless data migration tools
- Access to live chat support and onboarding webinars
- Pre-built templates to get started quickly
Customer Support - 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 customer support availability
- Multiple support channels, including chat, email, and phone
- Access to a robust knowledge base and community forums
- Fast response times and resolution rates
- Availability of dedicated account managers or customer success teams
Value For Money - 10% of total weighting score
- Transparent pricing models with no hidden fees
- Flexible subscription plans that cater to different business sizes
- Competitive pricing compared to similar tools
- Cost efficiency considering feature set and integrations
- Offers of free trials or money-back guarantees
Customer Reviews - 10% of total weighting score
- Consistently high ratings for overall satisfaction
- Positive feedback on ease of use and feature set
- Strong testimonials regarding customer support experience
- Reviews highlighting successful implementation and ROI
- Common themes of reliability and stability in customer feedback
By carefully evaluating these criteria, you can ensure that your chosen Jira alternative meets your needs and provides an excellent user experience, strong support, and value for money.
Jira Alternative Key Features
Here are some common Jira features your alternative software should replicate or improve upon to be a good fit.
- Scrum Boards: Helps divide large projects into manageable tasks for sprint-based team efforts.
- Kanban Boards: Visualizes workflow to improve team efficiency, particularly for continuous delivery.
- Reports and Dashboards: Delivers built-in reports and insights to keep teams informed.
- Customizable Workflows: Supports the creation of tailored workflows for various project requirements.
- Apps and Integrations: Offers project management tools integrated with Jira to allow expanding capabilities.
- Drag and Drop Automation: Streamlines task automation to save time for critical work.
- Developer Tool Integrations: Connects with developer tools for better team coordination.
- Security and Compliance: Provides features like SAML SSO and 2-step verification for data protection.
- Mobile Applications: Keeps teams connected with dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS.
- Agile Development Support: Serves as a foundation for supporting Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid methodologies.
- Automation: The use of technology to perform tasks without human intervention.
- Gantt charts: A visual representation of a project schedule, showing elements' start and finish dates.
- Issue tracking or bug tracking: A system for reporting, managing, and resolving issues within a project.
- Templates: Pre-designed structures or formats that can be used as a starting point for new documents or projects.
- Time tracking: Recording the amount of time spent on tasks or projects.
- Wikis: A collaborative platform that allows users to create, edit, and share content.
- Plugin integration: Add-on software components that add specific capabilities to a larger software application.
- Notifications: Alerts that inform users about important events or updates.
- Custom fields: User-defined fields that allow for collecting additional data tailored to specific needs.
What's Next?
Do you think we're missing any project management tools? Are there any other great alternatives to Jira for Agile project management and bug tracking? We’d love your suggestions or thoughts on using this kind of project management software.
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