7 best Jira alternatives for 2023 (Free, Paid & Open Source)

• monday work management: Best for comprehensive project management

  see details Visit monday.com

• Teamwork: Best for agencies and remote teams

  see details Visit Teamwork

• ClickUp: Best for flexibility and customization

  see details Visit ClickUp

• Confluence: Best for documentation and knowledge management

  see details Visit Confluence

• Trello: Best for ease of use

  see details Visit Trello

• Asana: Best for workflow management

  see details Visit Asana

• Notion: Best all-in-one workspace solution

  see details Visit Notion

In an increasingly competitive business landscape, companies are seeking efficient project management and collaboration solutions that cater to their unique needs. While Jira has been a popular choice for many, there are alternatives that address specific pain points and offer enhanced features. Exploring these Jira alternatives can help organizations optimize their project management processes, improve team collaboration and ultimately drive better results.

Here we compare seven top Jira alternatives for 2023. We will delve into each tool’s unique offerings, pricing and features and discuss the key elements to consider when choosing a Jira alternative. Additionally, we will outline our review methodology to provide transparency on how we selected and evaluated these alternatives.

Jump to:

• Best Jira alternatives compared
• Key features of Jira alternatives
• Why should I look for a Jira alternative?
• How do I choose the best Jira alternative for my business?
• Review methodology

Best Jira alternatives compared

Before we dive into the individual Jira alternatives, let’s take a look at a comparison chart that highlights some of the most sought-after features in these tools. This chart will help you quickly understand the key differences between the alternatives and identify which tool might best suit your needs.

monday work management: Best for comprehensive project management

monday work management is a versatile and user-friendly project management tool that offers a wide range of features, making it an ideal choice for cross-functional teams working on projects spanning various departments or industries. Its flexible and visually appealing interface allows users to easily track tasks, collaborate and communicate within the platform, providing an efficient and organized workspace.

SEE: For more information, read our full monday.com review, or see how monday compares to Jira.

Pricing

• Individual: Free forever for up to two seats.
• Basic: $8 per seat per month billed annually, or $10 per seat per month billed monthly.
• Standard: $10 per seat per month billed annually, or $12 per seat per month billed monthly.
• Pro: $16 per seat per month billed annually, or $20 per seat per month billed monthly.
• Enterprise: Pricing available upon request.

Features

• Built-in time tracking and resource management tools for better productivity and planning.
• Automations and integrations with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive and Salesforce.
• An extensive library of pre-built templates for various use cases.
• Customizable dashboards for high-level project overviews.
• Multiple view options, including Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendar views (Figure A) and more.

Figure A

Pros

• Includes highly customizable tools, allowing users to create custom workflows, boards and dashboards to suit their unique needs.
• Offers a user-friendly interface with an intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for new users to adopt.
• Provides robust collaboration features, including in-app communication, file sharing and real-time updates.

Cons

• Pricing can be expensive for smaller teams or organizations with limited budgets.
• Some advanced features and integrations are only available in higher-tier plans.
• The sheer number of features and options can be overwhelming for some users, leading to a slight learning curve.

Visit monday.com

Teamwork: Best for agencies and remote teams

Teamwork is a powerful project management and collaboration tool designed with agencies, remote teams and client collaboration in mind. It offers a comprehensive set of features that enable users to manage projects, track time and communicate effectively, both internally and with clients. The platform’s client-focused features make it easier to share progress, receive feedback and ensure smooth collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

SEE: For more information, read our full Teamwork review.

Pricing

• Free Forever: $0 per month for up to five users.
• Starter: $5.99 per user per month billed annually, or $8.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
• Deliver: $9.99 per user per month billed annually, or $13.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
• Grow: $19.99 per user per month billed annually, or $25.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
• Scale: Quote available upon request.

Features

• Offers a client portal for seamless communication and collaboration with clients, including file sharing and approvals.
• Supports multiple project views, including kanban boards, Gantt charts and workload views for better project visualization.
• Includes robust task management features, such as subtasks, dependencies and task templates for efficient project planning.
• Integrates with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive and HubSpot to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
• Provides built-in time tracking (Figure B), enabling users to log hours and generate reports for accurate billing.

Figure B

Pros

• Creates a strong focus on client collaboration, making it an excellent choice for agencies and businesses working closely with clients.
• Offers a comprehensive set of features for project management, time tracking and communication.
• Provides a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage projects.

Cons

• The free plan is limited in features and may not be sufficient for larger teams or complex projects.
• There is a learning curve for new users, as the platform offers a wide range of features and options.
• Some users may find the pricing structure expensive, especially when compared to other alternatives.

Visit Teamwork

ClickUp: Best for flexibility and customization

ClickUp is an all-in-one project management platform that provides a comprehensive suite of features, making it a great choice for teams seeking a single tool to manage tasks, documents, goals and more. Its flexibility and customization options allow users to adapt the platform to their specific needs, enabling seamless collaboration and organization.

SEE: For more information, check out our full ClickUp review as well as see how it compares to Jira.

Pricing

• Free Forever: $0: best for personal use.
• Unlimited: $5 per user per month billed annually, or $9 per user per month billed monthly.
• Business: $12 per user per month billed annually, or $19 per user per month billed monthly.
• Business Plus: $19 per user per month billed annually, or $29 per user per month billed monthly.
• Enterprise: Pricing information available upon request.

Features

• Provides native time tracking, enabling users to monitor time spent on tasks and improve productivity.
• Supports customizable workflows with statuses, subtasks and checklists for better task management.
• Includes a built-in documentation tool called Docs, allowing users to create, store and collaborate on documents within the platform.
• Offers robust integration capabilities, connecting with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive and GitHub.
• Offers multiple views, including List (Figure C), Board, Gantt, Calendar and Box views, to suit different work styles and preferences.

Figure C

Pros

• Includes a comprehensive feature set, making it suitable for various types of projects and industries.
• Highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the platform to their specific needs and processes.
• Offers a free plan with a generous set of features for small teams and individuals.

Cons

• Can be overwhelming for new users due to the wide range of features and options.
• Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times.
• Advanced features and automations may require a learning curve for non-technical users.

Visit ClickUp

Confluence: Best for documentation and knowledge management

Confluence is a powerful collaboration and knowledge management tool designed by Atlassian, the same company behind Jira. While it’s not a direct project management tool like the others on this list, Confluence excels in helping teams create, organize and share documentation, making it an ideal choice for teams that prioritize robust knowledge management and seamless integration with Jira.

SEE: For more information check out our Confluence review.

Pricing

• Free: $0 for 10 users, which only applies to the monthly subscription.
• Standard: $5.75 per user per month billed monthly or $580 annually for one to 10 users.
• Premium: $11 per user per month billed monthly or $1,100 annually for one to 10 users.
• Enterprise: For teams with more than 800 users; only billed annually. Contact Confluence sales for pricing information.

Features

• Provides a rich text editor with intuitive formatting options for creating and editing documents.
• Offers advanced search capabilities, making it easy to find and navigate content.
• Supports version control and history tracking for documents, ensuring that changes are recorded and accessible.
• Integrates smoothly with Jira and other Atlassian tools, as well as various third-party apps.
• Allows for the creation of templates (Figure D) to streamline the process of generating new documents.

Figure D

Pros

• Includes excellent tools for creating, organizing and managing documentation and knowledge resources.
• Provides a user-friendly interface with various customization options, making it adaptable to different team needs.
• Encourages collaboration through features like inline comments, @mentions and real-time editing.

Cons

• It is not a dedicated project management tool, so it may not be suitable for teams looking for a comprehensive solution.
• The learning curve can be steep for users who are not familiar with Atlassian products.
• Some users may find the pricing structure to be relatively expensive compared to other knowledge management tools.

Visit Confluence

Trello: Best for ease of use

Trello is a highly visual and easy-to-use project management tool that is perfect for teams looking for a straightforward way to manage tasks and projects. With its intuitive Kanban-style boards, Trello allows users to quickly create and organize tasks, making it an excellent choice for small teams or those who prefer a more minimalistic approach to project management.

SEE: For more information, check out our full Trello review or see how it compares to Jira.

Pricing

• Free: $0; restricted to 10 boards per workspace.
• Standard: $5 per user per month billed annually, or $6 per user per month billed monthly.
• Premium: $10 per user per month billed annually, or $12.50 per user per month billed monthly.
• Enterprise: starts at $17.50 per user per month with a minimum of 50 users billed annually. Costs $210 annually per user for a team of 50 users.

Features

• Offers simple and visually appealing Kanban boards for easy task management and organization.
• Provides a variety of Power-Ups (integrations) that allow users to connect Trello with other popular tools like Google Drive, Slack and Zapier.
• Allows for easy collaboration with built-in commenting, checklists and file attachment features.
• Offers automation capabilities through the native Butler feature, which helps automate repetitive tasks and create custom workflows.
• Supports multiple view types, including calendar view, list view and board view (Figure E).

Figure E

Pros

• User-friendly interface, making it easy to learn and adopt for both technical and non-technical team members.
• Flexible and customizable, allowing users to tailor boards and lists to suit their specific needs and preferences.
• Generous free plan, including many core features which make it an affordable option for small teams or individual users.

Cons

• Built-in time tracking and reporting features are not included, which can be important for teams that need to track productivity and generate detailed reports.
• Some advanced features and Power-Ups are only available in paid plans, which can limit the functionality for users on the free plan.
• May not be suitable for large teams or complex projects that require more robust project management features and capabilities.

Visit Trello

Asana: Best for workflow management

Asana is a comprehensive project management and collaboration tool that caters to businesses of all sizes. It offers robust workflow management capabilities, making it an excellent choice for teams looking to streamline their processes and improve collaboration. With its user-friendly interface and wide array of features, Asana provides an organized platform for managing tasks, tracking progress and fostering communication.

SEE: For more information, read our full Asana review or check out how Asana compares to Jira.

Pricing

• Basic: $0 per user per month. Free forever.
• Premium: $10.99 per user per month billed annually, or $13.49 per user per month billed monthly.
• Business: $24.99 per user per month billed annually, or $30.49 per user per month billed monthly.
• Enterprise: Pricing information available upon request.

Features

• Provides versatile task management with custom fields, task dependencies and advanced search.
• Offers built-in workload management tools to help balance team capacity and monitor progress.
• Enables easy collaboration with in-app conversations, file attachments and task assignments.
• Integrates with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive and Zoom for seamless workflows.
• Supports multiple view (Figure F) options, such as list view, kanban boards, calendar view and timeline view.

Figure F

Pros

• Includes a user-friendly interface, making it easy for new users to adopt and navigate the platform.
• Offers a wide range of features and customization options to tailor the tool to specific team needs.
• Provides excellent collaboration tools, fostering communication and teamwork within the platform.

Cons

• Time tracking is not built in and requires integration with third-party apps.
• Some advanced features and customization options are only available in higher-tier plans.
• The free version has limited functionality and may not be suitable for larger or more complex projects.

Visit Asana

Notion: Best all-in-one workspace solution

Notion is an all-in-one workspace solution that combines project management, collaboration and knowledge management into a single platform. Its flexible structure and powerful features make it suitable for teams and organizations of all sizes, looking to centralize their work processes and improve productivity.

SEE: For more information, check out our full Notion review.

Pricing

• Free: Unlimited blocks for individuals but limited block trials for teams.
• Plus: $8 per user per month billed annually, or $10 per user per month billed monthly.
• Business: $15 per user per month billed annually, or $18 per user per month billed monthly.
• Enterprise: Contact Notion for a demo, a trial and pricing information for this plan.
• Notion AI: An add-on to any paid plan at $8 per member per month for annual billing and $10 per member per month for monthly billing and free plans.

Features

• Offers a flexible and customizable interface, allowing users to create various content types, including databases, pages and notes.
• Provides a wide range of templates and building blocks to help users create custom workflows and structures.
• Allows collaboration with real-time editing, comments and mentions for efficient team communication.
• Integrates with popular apps like Google Drive, Slack and Zapier to connect with other tools in your workflow.
• Supports various view types (Figure G) such as list, table, board, calendar and gallery views for organizing and visualizing data.

Figure G

Pros

• Includes highly versatile tools, functioning as a project management tool, note-taking app and collaboration platform all in one.
• Offers extensive customization options, making it adaptable to various use cases and team workflows.
• Provides a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for new users to navigate and learn.

Cons

• Lacks native time tracking and some advanced project management features found in other alternatives.
• Can be overwhelming for users due to the vast array of features and options, leading to a learning curve.
• Mobile app performance and functionality may be limited compared to the desktop version.

Visit Notion

Key features of Jira alternatives

Time tracking

Time tracking is a crucial feature for many teams, as it helps monitor the hours spent on tasks and projects. This information can be used to improve resource allocation, project estimates and team productivity. Accurate time tracking also allows for better billing and invoicing when working with clients.

Issue tracking

Issue tracking is particularly important for software development teams, as it helps identify, prioritize and resolve bugs and other issues. A robust issue tracking system can improve product quality, reduce development time and ensure a smoother user experience.

Customizable workflows

Customizable workflows enable teams to tailor their project management tool to their specific needs and processes. This flexibility can lead to better efficiency, as teams can create workflows that align with their unique requirements and minimize friction in managing tasks and projects.

SEE: Check out our list of the best open-source project management tools.

Multiple view types

Offering multiple view types, such as kanban boards, Gantt charts, list views and calendar views, allows teams to visualize their work in the way that best suits their preferences and work style. This versatility can improve collaboration, as team members can easily switch between different views to gain insights and monitor progress.

Integration capabilities

Integration capabilities are essential for a seamless and efficient workflow, as they allow teams to connect their project management tool with other software they use daily. Integrations with popular apps, such as communication tools, file storage services and time tracking software, can significantly enhance productivity and streamline processes.

Why should I look for a Jira alternative?

There are several reasons why you might consider looking for a Jira alternative:

• Ease of use: Jira is known for its steep learning curve and can be overwhelming for new users or non-technical team members. Some Jira alternatives offer more user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features, making it easier for teams to get up and running quickly.
• Pricing: Jira’s pricing structure may not be the most cost-effective solution for every organization, particularly small businesses and startups. Exploring Jira alternatives can help you find a tool that fits your budget and offers the features you need at a more competitive price.
• Customization: While Jira is highly customizable, some teams may find it too complex or rigid for their needs. Jira alternatives may offer more flexibility in terms of customization, allowing you to create workflows and processes that better align with your team’s unique requirements.
• Unique features: Each project management tool offers a different set of features, and you may find that Jira alternatives provide functionalities that Jira does not. Exploring these alternatives can help you identify tools that offer the features your team needs most.
• Better fit for non-software development projects: Jira is specifically designed for software development projects and its features may not be as well-suited for other types of projects or industries. Jira alternatives can offer more diverse and versatile feature sets, making them a better fit for a wider range of projects and teams.

By considering these factors and evaluating the features, pricing and benefits of Jira alternatives, you can find a project management solution that better meets your team’s needs and helps drive improved efficiency and collaboration.

How do I choose the best Jira alternative for my business?

Choosing the best Jira alternative for your business requires careful consideration of your team’s unique needs and priorities. Here are some key factors to take into account when evaluating different project management tools:

Identify your team’s requirements

Start by assessing your team’s specific needs and goals. Determine the features that are most important for your workflows, such as issue tracking, time tracking, customizable workflows and multiple view types. Also, consider any specific industry requirements or unique challenges your team faces that may impact your choice.

SEE: Explore our list of the best Agile project management software.

Ease of use

A user-friendly interface and intuitive features can make a significant difference in the adoption and overall success of a new project management tool. Look for alternatives that offer a smooth learning curve, making it easier for your team members to get on board and start using the tool effectively.

Customization and flexibility

Different teams have varying workflows and processes. A Jira alternative that allows for easy customization can help you create a tool that aligns with your team’s specific needs. Consider how adaptable the platform is in terms of creating custom workflows, fields and views.

Collaboration and communication

Effective collaboration is critical for successful project management. Evaluate the communication features offered by each alternative, such as in-app messaging, real-time updates and file-sharing capabilities. These features can help streamline communication and ensure everyone stays on the same page.

Integration capabilities

Your project management tool should seamlessly integrate with the other software and tools your team uses daily. Check for integrations with popular apps like communication tools, file storage services and time tracking software to enhance productivity and create a unified workspace.

Pricing and scalability

Consider your budget and the size of your team when evaluating alternatives. Some tools offer more cost-effective plans for small businesses, while others may be more suited to larger enterprises. Additionally, ensure the tool you choose can scale with your business as it grows.

Support and community

Finally, consider the level of support and resources available for each alternative. This includes customer support, documentation and a user community that can help you troubleshoot issues and learn best practices for using the tool.

By carefully evaluating each of these factors and comparing the features, pricing and benefits of various Jira alternatives, you can make an informed decision about the best project management solution for your business.

Review methodology

This review constituted an approach of comparing project management software in terms of features and pricing alongside the potential requirements of a user who wants an alternative to Jira. It was a mix of testing the Jira alternatives through free trials and free plans as well as getting insights by aggregating user reviews and official product pages and documentation to determine the seven best alternatives to Jira for 2023.

If you’re not sure if any of these tools are right for your business, check out our list of the best software development project management tools.

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