15 Best Jira Alternatives for Project Management in 2025

Finding the right project management software can make or break how smoothly your team operates. For many companies, Jira has long been the go-to tool. It is powerful, packed with features, and widely used in software development. But with that power often comes complexity. Teams that are not deeply technical, or those that just need a straightforward way to manage projects, often find Jira overwhelming.

Common frustrations include the steep learning curve, the time needed to set it up properly, and the way simple tasks can feel buried under layers of configuration. Even teams that stick with Jira may end up paying for features they never use. Add in costs that grow as your team scales, and it’s no surprise that many start looking for an alternative.

The good news is that in 2025, there are plenty of choices. From lightweight tools that are easy for small teams to adopt, to robust platforms that can handle enterprise-level projects, you don’t need to stay locked into Jira if it isn’t working for you.

This guide walks through why teams move away from Jira, what to look for in a replacement, and the 15 best Jira alternatives in 2025. Whether you’re managing a small startup or leading a large organization, you’ll find options here that fit different needs, budgets, and workflows.

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	G2 Rating Link
Trello	Simple project/task management, visual boards	Free, then $5/user/mo (annual)	4.4/5
Asana	Enterprise work/team coordination, workflow automation	Free, then $10.99/user/mo (annual)	4.3/5
Monday	Flexible work management, templates, and scaling teams	Free, then $13/user/mo (annual)	4.7/5
ClickUp	All-in-one, small teams & startups	Free, then $7/user/mo (annual)	4.7/5
Notion	Notes + light project management, document + knowledge base	Free, then $8/user/mo (annual)	4.6/5
Wrike	Cross-functional work, client management, scaling workflows	Free, then $9.80/user/mo (annual)	4.2/5
Smartsheet	Spreadsheet style project planning, “spreadsheet lovers”	Free trial, then $9/user/mo (annual)	4.4/5
Microsoft Project	Traditional/formal project planning, Gantt, portfolio mgmt	From $10/user/mo (annual, Project Plan 1)	4.0/5
Zoho Projects	Integrated suite, small to mid teams	Free, then $4/user/mo (annual)	4.3/5
Teamwork	Fast setup, small-mid teams	Free, then $10.99/user/mo (annual)	4.4/5
Linear	Dev/software teams' issue tracking	Free, then $8/user/mo (annual)	4.5/5
GitLab	Dev/software teams, end-to-end CI/CD	Free, then $19/user/mo (annual, Premium)	4.5/5
Basecamp	Simple project/team communication hub	$15/user/mo flat (no free plan)	4.1/5
Azure DevOps	Software development, CI/CD, enterprise / large teams	Free tier, then $6/user/mo (annual)	4.3/5
Shortcut	Agile dev teams	Free, then $8.50/user/mo (annual)	4.4/5
Taiga	Agile, open-source teams	Free, then $5/user/mo (annual, hosted)	4.4/5

Why teams look for a Jira alternative

Jira is one of the most recognized project management tools in the world. It is flexible, customizable, and widely adopted by agile teams. Still, many organizations find the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, which is why they begin searching for a Jira alternative.

Cost and pricing concerns

For small teams, Jira starts at an affordable rate. As the team grows, costs scale quickly, and advanced features like reporting dashboards or extra security push users into higher-tier plans. For startups and budget-conscious teams, this can make Jira less sustainable compared to other project management software.

Steep learning curve

Jira is powerful, but complexity comes with it. New users often find the interface cluttered, workflows difficult to set up, and permissions confusing. Training is almost always required. For non-technical teams, the time investment can outweigh the value.

Limited customization without technical expertise

Customization is a selling point of Jira, but it often requires scripting knowledge or reliance on the Atlassian Marketplace. Non-technical teams may struggle to adapt workflows without outside help. What feels flexible for developers can feel restrictive for everyone else.

Overkill for smaller teams

Many small businesses only need simple task management and project tracking. Features like multi-level permissions, complex issue tracking, and custom fields often go unused. Teams may find themselves paying for functionality they never touch.

Integration challenges

Jira connects with hundreds of apps, yet integrations often need extra setup or paid add-ons. For organizations that only need straightforward connections with Slack, Google Drive, or Microsoft Teams, this can feel like unnecessary complexity.

Performance issues on large instances

As projects scale, Jira can slow down. Enterprises managing thousands of issues often report lagging boards, slower reporting, and more time spent on administration. Performance becomes a daily frustration.

Administrative overhead

Jira requires ongoing monitoring. Workflows need updates, permissions change, and boards get reorganized. Many organizations assign a dedicated Jira administrator, adding to overhead.

In short, Jira offers deep functionality, but high cost, complexity, and performance limitations drive many teams to explore alternatives that promise easier workflow management and simpler issue tracking.

What to look for in a Jira alternative

Choosing a Jira alternative is not only about leaving Jira behind. The goal is to find project management software that matches how your team actually works. The right tool should simplify collaboration, reduce admin time, and provide the features you need without added complexity.

Ease of use

Usability is one of the main reasons teams switch. If a tool is not intuitive, adoption will be slow and frustrating. Look for software that makes it simple to create tasks, manage workflows, and onboard new users with minimal training.

Cost and feature balance

Free tiers can look attractive, but critical features are often locked behind paid plans. At the same time, some platforms scale up in price quickly as you add users. The best Jira alternatives in 2025 offer predictable pricing with essentials like reporting dashboards and integrations.

Customization and flexibility

Every team works differently. A strong workflow management tool should adapt to those differences through customizable boards, flexible permissions, and templates. Many Jira competitors provide this level of flexibility in a simpler package.

Integrations that matter

Think about the apps your team already uses, such as Slack, Google Drive, or Microsoft Teams. A good replacement should connect with them out of the box, offering real-time collaboration and automation options without complex add-ons.

Security and compliance

For industries with strict standards, features like role-based access, audit logs, and data compliance are non-negotiable. A Jira alternative must meet your security requirements from day one.

Migration support

Switching tools often means moving years of issue tracking and project data. Look for platforms that provide import tools, guides, or direct support to make migration less painful.

By weighing usability, pricing, customization, integrations, security, and migration, you’ll be able to choose a Jira alternative that truly fits your business needs.

Top Jira Alternatives in 2025

The market for project management software has grown rapidly, and there are now plenty of tools that can replace Jira depending on your needs. Below are the top options to consider, each with its strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

Monday.com

Monday.com is a highly flexible work management platform designed to handle everything from task tracking to complex workflows. Its colorful, customizable boards make it easy to adapt for project management, CRM, HR, and marketing. With hundreds of templates and automations, it’s built to scale with teams of all sizes.

Key Features:
- Customizable boards with multiple column types
- Automations to reduce repetitive updates
- Dashboards with real-time reporting
- 200+ templates for different workflows

Best for: Businesses that want a central hub to manage diverse processes across teams.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $13/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Highly customizable, visually engaging, strong reporting dashboards.
Cons: Setup takes time, and costs rise with larger teams.

The most helpful part is the flexibility: we can adapt boards to fit anything from event planning to grant tracking without needing a separate tool for each workflow. – Customer review
While Monday.com offers flexible building blocks, many teams need more structure when it comes to managing repeatable processes. That’s where TitanApps Smart Tools can help.

Smart Checklist allows teams to embed detailed, interactive checklists inside Monday items. Unlike subtasks, these checklists keep everything visible in one place, making it easier to track progress and enforce completion. You can group checklist items, tag responsible teammates, set due dates, and mark specific steps as required.

Use cases range from QA handoffs and editorial reviews to onboarding flows and internal audits. Teams can follow a shared process without relying on external docs or scattered knowledge.

Smart Templates lets you save and reuse full item structures, including checklists, fields, assignments, and more. Instead of recreating recurring tasks manually, you apply a saved template and get a pre-filled, consistent item in seconds.

This is especially helpful for workflows like campaign launches, hiring, product releases, or legal reviews. Templates make it easy to maintain standards across teams and projects while cutting down setup time and reducing human error.

Trello

Trello is one of the most popular Jira alternatives, known for its simple, visual approach to task management. The kanban method allows teams to organize work into boards, lists, and cards that move as tasks progress. Its intuitive design makes it a strong choice for small teams looking for lightweight project tracking.

Key Features:
- Visual kanban boards with drag-and-drop cards
- Checklists, attachments, and due dates inside tasks
- Power-Ups for integrations with Slack, Google Drive, and more
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Best for: Small teams and startups that need an easy task management tool.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $5/user/month, billed annually.
Pros: Easy to use, quick setup, generous free tier.
Cons: Limited reporting and customization for complex workflows.

Trello is very intuitive in design, such that even beginners do not require training or guidance to implement and use it appropriately. – Customer review

Asana

Asana is a flexible project management platform designed for cross-functional collaboration. It offers multiple views, lists, boards, timelines, and calendars, so teams can organize projects the way they prefer. With powerful automation features and integrations, it works well for both small and large organizations.

Key Features:
- Task assignments with deadlines and priorities
- Multiple project views (list, board, calendar, timeline)
- Workflow automation with custom rules
- Integrations with Slack, Zoom, and Google Workspace

Best for: Cross-functional teams that need visibility across multiple projects.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $10.99/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: User-friendly, highly flexible, strong collaboration tools.
Cons: The cost can increase as the team grows, and some advanced features require premium tiers.

Asana is a powerful project and task management platform designed to help teams organize work, streamline communication, and improve overall productivity. – Customer review

ClickUp

ClickUp markets itself as an “all-in-one productivity tool,” and it comes close. It combines task management, docs, chat, and goal tracking in one platform. With dozens of views, native time tracking, and robust automation, it’s one of the most feature-rich Jira alternatives available.

Key Features:
- Multiple views: list, board, Gantt, and calendar
- Native docs, goals, and chat features
- Time tracking and workload management
- Hundreds of integrations and automation options

Best for: Teams that want everything in one tool and don’t mind a bit of complexity.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $7/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Extremely feature-rich, customizable, and affordable.
Cons: Learning curve is steep, can feel overwhelming

Asana is a powerful project and task management platform designed to help teams organize work, streamline communication, and improve overall productivity. – Customer review

Notion

Notion is a hybrid tool that combines note-taking, documentation, and light project management. Teams can build customizable workspaces with databases, boards, and pages, making it flexible for knowledge management and task tracking. It’s popular with small and medium-sized teams who want collaboration and documentation in one place.

Key Features:
- Databases, kanban boards, and customizable pages
- Real-time collaboration on documents
- Rich templates for wikis, project tracking, and content planning
- Integrations with Slack, GitHub, and Google Drive

Best for: Teams that want to combine project tracking with documentation in one platform.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $8/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Extremely flexible, combines docs and tasks, strong community templates.
Cons: Lacks advanced project management features like reporting dashboards.

Most everything you can think of that you want to do is available and where you think it should be. – Customer review

Wrike

Wrike is designed for medium and large organizations that need robust workflow management and reporting. It offers customizable dashboards, task dependencies, and resource management, making it a strong choice for enterprises.

Key Features:
- Custom dashboards and real-time reporting
- Task dependencies and Gantt charts
- Resource allocation and workload management
- Prebuilt workflows for IT, marketing, and operations

Best for: Enterprises and cross-functional teams that need advanced reporting and scalability.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $9.80/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Strong reporting, highly scalable, flexible workflows.
Cons: The Interface can feel complex for new users.

Wrike is a user-friendly tool. For the end-users, it is easy to use with a simple user interface; users need relatively little time to start using the tool. – Customer review

Smartsheet

Smartsheet takes the familiar look of spreadsheets and combines it with project management features. Teams who are comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets often find it an easy transition into more structured project tracking.

Key Features:
- Grid, card, Gantt, and calendar views
- Automated workflows and reminders
- Real-time dashboards and reports
- Integrations with Microsoft and Google apps

Best for: Teams that prefer a spreadsheet-style approach to project management.
Pricing: Free trial available; paid plans start at $9/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Familiar interface, strong automation, versatile reporting.
Cons: Can feel clunky for non-spreadsheet users.

The best thing about Smartsheet is that it feels a lot like Excel, which my team and I are already very familiar with. – Customer review

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project has long been a standard for enterprise-level project planning. With advanced scheduling, portfolio management, and integration with Microsoft 365, it remains a strong option for large organizations.

Key Features:
- Advanced Gantt charts and scheduling tools
- Resource and cost management
- Portfolio and program management
- Integration with the Microsoft 365 suite

Best for: Large enterprises that need detailed project scheduling and portfolio management.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $10/user/month (Project Plan 1, billed annually).

Pros: Powerful scheduling, comprehensive reporting, enterprise-ready.
Cons: Expensive and steep learning curve.

It allows us to visualize the path forward and see what needs to be done now. – Customer review

Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects is part of the larger Zoho suite, making it appealing for teams that already use Zoho CRM, Books, or other apps. It provides solid project management features at an affordable price.

Key Features:
- Task lists, milestones, and dependencies
- Time tracking and invoicing
- Gantt charts and reporting
- Seamless integration with Zoho apps and third-party tools

Best for: Small to midsize businesses looking for an affordable, integrated project management solution.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $4/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Affordable, integrates well with the Zoho ecosystem, solid feature set.
Cons: The Interface feels dated compared to modern tools.

You can manage one or several projects simultaneously, with admirable depth and control of activities. – Customer review

Teamwork

Teamwork is built with client service teams in mind, especially agencies. It combines task management with time tracking, invoicing, and client portals, making it ideal for managing client projects end-to-end.

Key Features:
- Task lists, boards, and Gantt charts
- Built-in time tracking and invoicing
- Client portal for external collaboration
- Project templates for quick setup

Best for: Agencies and contractors that need to manage client projects with billing included.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $10.99/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Great for client-facing work, integrates time tracking and billing.
Cons: Less suited for non-service teams.

Everything is consolidated, which makes it simple for us to log hours for each project, provides productivity tracking, and future workload estimation. – Customer review

Linear

Linear is a fast, streamlined tool built for software teams. It focuses on speed and simplicity, offering clean issue tracking, sprint planning, and workflows designed for agile development. Developers often choose it over Jira for its lightweight feel and polished design.

Key Features
- Fast issue tracking with keyboard-first commands
- Roadmaps and cycles for agile sprints
- GitHub, GitLab, and Figma integrations
- Sleek UI with desktop and mobile apps
Best for: Software teams that want lightweight issue tracking without Jira’s complexity.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $8/user/month, billed annually.

Pros: Extremely fast, clean interface, simple to adopt.
Cons: Limited customization, fewer integrations than larger platforms.

It gives all the features that we need for project management. – Customer review

Basecamp

Basecamp is a simple project management and communication tool that replaces scattered email threads with a central hub. It focuses on to-do lists, team messaging, and scheduling rather than complex workflows.

Key Features
- To-do lists with due dates and assignments
- Message boards and group chat
- File sharing and scheduling
- Client collaboration features
Best for: Small teams that value simplicity and communication over advanced project tracking.
Pricing: Flat rate of $15/user/month (no free plan).
Pros: Easy to learn, combines communication and tasks.
Cons: Lacks advanced reporting and customization.

It’s also super easy for new team members to get on board since there’s hardly any learning curve. – Customer review

Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps is Microsoft’s platform for software development and delivery. It offers boards, repos, pipelines, and testing tools that connect seamlessly with the Azure cloud ecosystem.

GitLab is more than just a code repository; it’s a full DevOps platform. It combines source control, CI/CD pipelines, project management, and security in one place, making it a powerful alternative for engineering teams.

Key Features
- Agile boards for backlog and sprint planning
- Git repos and pull request workflows
- CI/CD pipelines integrated with Azure
- Test planning and tracking
Best for: Enterprise dev teams using Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $6/user/month, billed annually.
Pros: Complete DevOps platform, integrates development and project management.
Cons: Can feel heavy for teams that only need project tracking.

It has all my code-aware context responses that help me with my existing code and what it does, instead of explaining what I need to do and what this code does. – Customer review

Shortcut

Shortcut (formerly Clubhouse) is built for agile software teams that want speed and simplicity. It combines kanban boards, roadmaps, and sprints with lightweight reporting.

Key Features
- Kanban boards and sprint planning
- Roadmaps and milestones
- Integrations with GitHub, Slack, and Figma
- API for custom workflows
Best for: Agile dev teams that want a Jira alternative with less complexity.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $8.50/user/month, billed annually.
Pros: Simple, fast, designed for software teams.
Cons: Fewer features for non-software use cases.

Works well with tools like Slack and GitHub, helping teams stay connected. Built-in reports like burndown charts and implementation that help to track team progress. – Customer review

Taiga

Taiga is an open-source project management tool designed for agile teams. It provides customizable boards, backlogs, and sprint planning, with the flexibility of self-hosting.

Key Features
- Kanban and scrum boards
- Backlog and sprint planning tools
- Wiki and documentation features
- Open-source and self-hosted options
Best for: Agile teams that want an affordable, open-source Jira alternative.
Pricing: Free plan available; paid hosted plans start at $5/user/month.
Pros: Open-source, affordable, agile-focused.
Cons: Smaller ecosystem, fewer integrations than bigger platforms.

Taiga is a tightly focused Agile project management tool that does everything you need with a straightforward, well-designed UI. – Customer review

How to Choose the Right Jira Alternative

There are a ton of options available; the best Jira alternative in 2025 depends on your team’s size, budget, and technical experience. Here are the main factors to consider before making the switch.

Team size and complexity

Small teams often benefit from tools like Trello or Notion, which are lightweight and quick to adopt. Larger organizations with multiple departments may need more advanced platforms such as Wrike or Microsoft Project.

Technical expertise level

Some alternatives are designed for non-technical users with clean, simple interfaces. Others, like Azure DevOps or GitLab, assume developer knowledge and may require admin oversight. Match the tool’s complexity with your team’s skills.

Budget and pricing model

Costs scale quickly as teams grow. Look for predictable pricing that matches your needs, whether that’s a free tier for startups or enterprise-level plans with reporting dashboards and automation.

Integrations and ecosystem

Check how well the tool connects with the apps you already use, such as Slack, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Teams. Staying within an existing ecosystem, like Microsoft or Zoho, can also reduce friction.

Migration complexity

Switching from Jira means moving projects, issues, and workflows. Some platforms offer import tools or guided migration support, while others require more manual effort. Consider how much data you need to bring over.

By weighing these factors, you’ll be able to identify the Jira alternative that truly fits your business needs and avoids unnecessary disruptions.

FAQs about Jira alternatives

Is there a free Jira alternative?

Yes. Tools like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, and Zoho Projects all offer free plans with core task management features. These plans often include basic boards, lists, and task assignments.

For very small teams, these free tiers can be more than enough. They make it possible to organize tasks, track deadlines, and collaborate without any upfront cost.

The trade-off is that reporting dashboards, automations, and integrations are often locked behind paid tiers. As teams grow, most companies eventually upgrade to unlock those features.

What’s the easiest Jira alternative for small teams?

Trello is often the simplest option thanks to its drag-and-drop boards. Teams can set up a board in minutes and start organizing tasks without training.

Notion is another beginner-friendly choice. It combines lightweight project tracking with documentation, letting teams manage tasks and knowledge in one workspace.

Both tools are strong options for teams that value speed and ease of use over advanced project reporting.

Can I migrate data from Jira to other tools?

Yes. Most alternatives provide import tools for CSV files or direct connectors to Jira. Wrike, ClickUp, and Asana all offer migration guides to make this process easier.

The data you can move usually includes tasks, due dates, users, and comments. Complex workflows, automations, and custom fields may need extra setup.

Some vendors also offer paid migration services if you need to move large amounts of data without manual work.

What’s the best Jira alternative for software development?

For software teams, Linear, GitLab, and Azure DevOps are the strongest choices. They combine issue tracking with code repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and agile planning.

Linear is popular with startups for its speed and clean interface. GitLab and Azure DevOps are better suited to larger teams that need full DevOps capabilities.

These tools help developers manage code, issues, and releases in one platform, which reduces context switching compared to Jira plus add-ons.

Are there any Jira alternatives that work with Atlassian tools?

Yes. Trello integrates directly with Atlassian accounts, and many alternatives connect through the Atlassian Marketplace. This lets teams use simpler tools without leaving the ecosystem entirely.

For example, Confluence can be paired with Trello for lightweight project tracking and documentation. Similarly, tools like ClickUp can sync with Bitbucket to support hybrid setups.

This flexibility is useful for teams that want to reduce Jira complexity while still keeping other Atlassian products in place.

What’s the most cost-effective Jira alternative?

Zoho Projects and Taiga are among the most affordable. Zoho starts at $4/user/month, while Taiga offers open-source hosting or a $5/user/month hosted plan.

Both options include core project management features such as Gantt charts, boards, and reporting. For smaller companies, they provide strong value without enterprise-level costs.

If cost is the deciding factor, these tools deliver the essentials without unnecessary overhead.

Which Jira alternative has the best reporting features?

Wrike and Smartsheet are standouts for advanced dashboards and reporting. They allow custom reports, workload views, and detailed time tracking.

Microsoft Project is another strong contender, especially for enterprises managing multiple portfolios. Its reporting features are robust but require more setup.

Teams that rely heavily on analytics often choose one of these platforms over lighter tools like Trello or Notion.

Can Jira alternatives handle agile project management?

Yes. ClickUp, Linear, and Shortcut all include sprints, backlogs, and kanban boards built in. These features make them strong choices for agile teams.

Many tools also provide burndown charts, velocity tracking, and automation to simplify sprint planning. Wrike and Azure DevOps are especially good for enterprises running scaled agile practices.

Agile features are no longer limited to Jira, and most modern tools now support these workflows out of the box.

Wrapping up

Jira has long been a leader in project management, but it isn’t the right fit for every team. Its steep learning curve, growing costs, and heavy administration often push companies to explore other options.

The good news is that there are more choices than ever in 2025. From lightweight tools like Trello and Notion to enterprise-ready platforms like Wrike and Microsoft Project, teams can find alternatives that match their size, budget, and workflow.

For development teams, options such as Linear, GitLab, and Azure DevOps combine issue tracking with code management. For client services, Teamwork offers built-in time tracking and billing. If affordability is the priority, Zoho Projects and Taiga deliver strong value.

The best Jira alternative in 2025 is not the same for everyone. The right tool is the one that simplifies collaboration, reduces overhead, and helps your team focus less on managing tasks and more on delivering results.