Zoho Projects vs. Jira: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025
Zoho Projects provides a flexible platform for managing team workflows efficiently. Jira is built for handling complex software development projects with advanced features.
While both tools support project management, they take different approaches, with Zoho Projects focusing on general team collaboration and Jira specializing in agile methodologies and development-focused work (ie., using bug tracking and issue tracking), particularly for scrum teams.
In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of the tools, exploring their features, pros and cons, pricing, and more, to help you choose the right project management software for your team.
Zoho Projects vs. Jira: An Overview
Zoho Projects
Jira
Why You Can Trust Us
Zoho Projects vs. Jira Pricing Comparison
| Zoho Projects | Jira | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 10-day free trial + free plan available | 7-day free trial + free plan available |
| Pricing | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | From $7.16/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats) |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowZoho Projects pricing offers a tiered subscription model that scales with the size of your team, but be aware of potential extra costs for add-ons and premium features.
Jira pricing also follows a subscription model, with different tiers based on user count and additional expenses for advanced functionalities or integrations.
To select the right project management solution for your budget, evaluate each vendor's pricing structure to your team's size and specific needs, factoring in any necessary features and integrations you can't do without.
Zoho Projects vs. Jira Feature Comparison
Zoho Projects’ Gantt chart lets you visually track timelines and dependencies, which is especially useful for managing complex schedules in construction projects.
Jira’s agile boards help software development teams organize backlogs and plan sprints effectively. Each tool brings strengths suited to different project management needs.
| Zoho Projects | Jira | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Contact Management | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Dependency Tracking | ||
| Document Sharing | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| File Sharing | ||
| Gantt Charts | ||
| Kanban Boards | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Resource Management | ||
| Status Notifications | ||
| Task Scheduling/Tracking | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Workflow Management |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowZoho Projects vs. Jira Integrations
| Integration | Zoho Projects | Jira |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft Teams | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Drive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Salesforce | ❌ | ✅ |
| GitHub | ❌ | ✅ |
| Trello | ✅ | ❌ |
| Asana | ❌ | ✅ |
| Figma | ❌ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ✅ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
Zoho Projects integrates with Slack to keep your team updated in real time, making it ideal for remote teams that rely on constant communication. Zoho projects also notably integrates with the whole Zoho ecosystem, including Zoho CRM and Zoho One.
Jira’s integration with Figma supports design and development teams by enabling smooth collaboration on product interfaces. Similar to Zoho, Jira also integrates seamlessly with the whole Atlassian ecosystem, including Bitbucket and Confluence.
Each integration offers distinct benefits aligned with different team workflows, tool stacks, and business needs.
Zoho Projects vs. Jira Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | Zoho Projects | Jira |
| Data Privacy | Zoho Projects ensures data privacy with strict access controls and GDPR compliance. | Jira provides robust data privacy through customizable permissions and GDPR compliance. |
| Encryption | Zoho Projects uses AES-256 encryption for data at rest, safeguarding your information. | Jira employs TLS encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. |
| Uptime Reliability | Zoho Projects guarantees 99.9% uptime, ensuring your projects are always accessible. | Jira commits to high availability with a 99.9% uptime SLA. |
Zoho Projects and Jira both provide strong security and compliance features, but their approaches may better suit different types of organizations. When evaluating these tools, consider encryption standards, data privacy policies, and uptime guarantees to ensure they meet your team’s specific needs.
Zoho Projects vs. Jira Ease of Use
| Factor | Zoho Projects | Jira |
| User Interface | Zoho Projects offers a clean, all-in-one intuitive interface with a customizable dashboard for quick navigation | Jira’s layout is feature-rich but can be overwhelming for new users (especially those new to Jira’s taxonomy– ie., milestones, epics, stories, etc.). |
| Onboarding Experience | Zoho Projects offers a clean, all-in-one, intuitive interface with a customizable dashboard for quick navigation | Jira offers comprehensive documentation, but the initial setup may require more time. |
| Setup | Zoho Projects allows quick setup with pre-built templates to get projects started fast. | Jira’s setup is flexible but might involve a steeper learning curve. |
| Support | Zoho Projects includes 24/5 support via chat and email, ensuring help is available when needed. | Jira offers 24/7 customer support with extensive online resources and community forums. |
Zoho Projects is easier to use thanks to its user-friendly interface and helpful onboarding guides, making it a good choice for teams seeking a straightforward setup. Jira offers greater flexibility and advanced key features, but it has a steeper learning curve, especially for users new to project management tools.
Zoho Projects vs Jira: Pros & Cons
Zoho Projects
- The collaboration tools facilitate seamless communication within your team, enhancing productivity and project success.
- The task management and time tracking features help you efficiently assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in real time.
- Zoho Projects offers a user-friendly interface that helps your team stay organized with flexible project views like Gantt charts and Kanban boards.
- Email notifications from Zoho Projects might get flagged as spam, requiring you to check your spam folder for important messages.
- Some users find the email integration confusing and not as reliable as expected.
- The Phases feature can be complex, requiring a learning curve to manage milestones effectively.
Jira
- Agile workflow management supports Scrum and Kanban and can improve your teams' productivity.
- Automation rules are easy to set up, which helps your team speed up their work.
- Custom filters can be created and accessed quickly, which improves your team's efficiency.
- The interface can be too crowded in Scrum projects, which can make it hard for your team to navigate.
- There's a lack of resource management capabilities, which could limit your team's planning.
- Field names can be confusing, which might slow down your team's workflow.
Best Use Cases for Zoho Projects and Jira
Zoho Projects
- Marketing Agencies Its collaboration tools and time tracking features make it easy for marketing teams to coordinate campaigns and meet client deadlines.
- Remote Teams The platform’s communication and project tracking features support remote teams in staying connected and aligned on tasks.
- Small Businesses With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, Zoho Projects is perfect for small businesses looking to streamline project management.
- Non-Profit Organizations Its task management and time tracking features help non-profits efficiently manage resources and volunteers.
- Tech Startups Zoho Projects’ agile project views and task automation help tech startups manage rapid development cycles effectively.
- Product Development Zoho Projects’ Gantt charts and milestone tracking are ideal for product teams managing complex development timelines.
Jira
- Software development Jira’s agile tools like Scrum and Kanban boards make it perfect for managing software projects.
- IT departments Its issue tracking capabilities help your team efficiently handle technical support and bug fixes.
- Tech startups Jira offers customization capabilities that allow your team to scale and adapt as your projects grow.
- Agile teams Sprint planning and backlog management features keep your agile processes organized and effective.
- Large enterprises Jira’s automation rules can streamline your complex workflows and improve team productivity.
- Project managers Its reporting and analytics provide insights that help you make informed decisions quickly.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use Zoho Projects, and Who Should Use Jira?
In my opinion, Zoho Projects is best for small teams (like startups) that need a user-friendly interface with essential features and limited budget requirements. It works well in industries like marketing or consulting, where simplicity and quick setup are priorities.
Jira, on the other hand, is well-suited for software development teams that need an agile project management solution with advanced issue tracking and strong customization options. If your team values flexibility and can handle a steeper learning curve, Jira is the better choice.
Differences Between Zoho Projects and Jira
| Zoho Projects | Jira | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Zoho Projects includes basic automation tools for task management. | Jira offers advanced automation options, especially suited for agile workflows. |
| Integrations | Zoho Projects integrates smoothly with tools like Slack and Google Drive. | Jira connects with a wide range of development tools, making it ideal for software teams. |
| Onboarding | Zoho Projects eases onboarding with step-by-step tutorials and guides. | Jira has detailed documentation but may require more time for initial setup. |
| Pricing | Zoho Projects offers a tiered subscription model with potential add-on costs. | Jira provides a subscription model based on user count with extra expenses for advanced features. |
| User Interface | Zoho Projects provides a clean, intuitive interface with customizable dashboards. | Jira’s interface is feature-rich but complex, requiring more time to learn. |
| Visit Zoho ProjectsOpens new window | Visit JiraOpens new window |
Similarities Between Zoho Projects and Jira
| Cloud-Based | Both tools are cloud-based, providing your team with access from anywhere with an internet connection. Zoho Projects is known for its ease of access, while Jira offers robust cloud solutions with enterprise-grade security. |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | Both platforms support team collaboration with shared calendars, document sharing, and real-time updates. Zoho Projects integrates well with communication tools like Slack, whereas Jira’s strong point is integration with development tools. |
| Customization | Both provide customizable workflows and dashboards, letting you tailor the software to fit your project’s needs. Zoho Projects offers user-friendly customization, while Jira allows for deep configuration options. |
| Reporting | Both Zoho Projects and Jira include comprehensive reporting features to help analyze project performance. Zoho Projects focus on visual simplicity, whereas Jira offers in-depth, technical reports ideal for software development metrics. |
| Task Management | Both Zoho Projects and Jira offer robust task management features, allowing you to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Zoho Projects excels in simplicity, while Jira provides detailed tracking suitable for complex projects. |
| Visit Zoho ProjectsOpens new window Visit JiraOpens new window | |