A Full Jira Software Review: Pricing, Features, and More

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Our Verdict

Jira is a powerhouse for agile project management and complex workflows

Jira stands out as a comprehensive solution for Agile project management, especially suited for larger teams and complex, technical projects.

Its strengths in providing detailed Agile methodologies and broad integration support were apparent in our review of Jira. Its extensive customization capabilities make it a powerhouse for managing intricate projects.

However, its complexity and steep learning curve can be daunting for newcomers or smaller teams looking for simplicity, and while Jira offers a free plan, the cost increases as you seek more advanced features.

Overall, Jira is an excellent choice for teams requiring in-depth project management capabilities, but we advise reading this review to see how it compares to competitors before deciding.

Pros

  • Fantastic for Agile project management
  • Over 3,000 integration options
  • Offers extensive workflow and report customization
  • Adapts well from small teams to large enterprises
  • In-depth project tracking and reporting capabilities

Cons

  • Can be complex for new users
  • Advanced features come at a premium price
  • The interface can be clunky at times

In this Jira review, we explore the key details of one of the tech industry’s most popular project management tools. Known for its robust Agile methodologies and extensive project management capabilities, Jira has carved a niche for itself, but it’s not without its complexities. From our experience navigating its dashboard and features, we provide an in-depth analysis of Jira’s functionality, pricing, and how it stands against competitors.

Jira Pricing

Jira offers various plans to suit different needs. From small teams after a cost-effective solution to large enterprises seeking comprehensive features, Jira’s pricing model accommodates all.

To start our Jira software review, here’s an overview of its pricing plans to help you decide which one is right for you:

Free Standard Premium Enterprise
Starting Price $0 $8.15/user/month $16/user/month Custom
User Limit Up to 10 Up to 35,000 Up to 35,000 Up to 35,000
Free Version Free plan 7-day trial 7-day trial
Storage 2 GB 250 GB Unlimited Unlimited
Number of Sites 1 1 1 150
Automations 100/month 1,700/month 1,000/month Unlimited
Unlimited Project Boards
Atlassian Intelligence (AI)
User Roles and Permissions
Email Notifications 100 emails/day Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Support Community Support Local Business Hours 24/7 Premium Support 24/7 Enterprise Support
Free - $0

Free – $0

Jira’s free plan offers a solid entry point for small teams or individuals in need of a project management tool without financial commitment. For starters, it stands out with its limit of 10 users.

In comparison, as we found in our Teamwork review (which allows 5 users on the free plan), this is rare. You also get 2GB of file storage, along with a generous 100 emails a day.

The plan supports agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban, providing essential features such as unlimited project boards and 100 automation runs per month, which is impressive given it’s free.

While it lacks the broader capabilities found in higher-tier plans, it’s easily among the best options when compared to competitors that offer free plans far less feature-rich than this.

Standard - $8.15/month

Standard – $8.15/user/month

Jira’s Standard Plan is a cost-effective option for growing teams, supporting up to 35,000 users with 250 GB of file storage and 1,700 rule runs per month to automate your workflows.

This plan also includes access to one site, making it a comprehensive package for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a balance between functionality and affordability.

This plan is competitively priced. For example, as we found in our Monday review, it starts at $12/seat/month and requires a minimum of 3 seats, so small teams would pay more with Monday.

Premium - $16/month

Premium – $16/user/month

This plan elevates project management with advanced features ideal for larger teams and complex projects. It offers unlimited storage, 1,000 automations/user/month, and 24/7 premium support.

You’ll also get a 99% uptime SLA, Atlassian Intelligence (AI), project archiving, sandbox for testing, and advanced roadmaps for a high-level view of multiple teams and projects.

The plan’s administrative insights and ability to limit site access to trusted IP ranges enhance its security profile, making it well-suited for large organizations with complex project management needs​​.

Enterprise - Custom

Enterprise – Custom

Jira’s Enterprise Plan is designed for large-scale organizations needing a highly scalable, secure, and customizable project management solution.

It offers unlimited users and sites, centralized per-user licensing, and enterprise-grade security and governance controls. It’s perfect for complex requirements across multiple projects, teams, and locations.

It also includes Atlassian Enterprise Advocates for ongoing support, as well as premium add-ons and the open beta of Atlassian analytics, Atlassian data lakes, and data connectors.

The single license feature for logging into all Jira cloud instances adds to its scalability and efficiency, further adding to how perfect it is for large businesses needing extensive features and support.

Jira Features

Jira is undoubtedly a powerhouse and easily one of the best project management software solutions, offering a suite of features tailored to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.

This includes issue management, agile workflows, bug tracking, and powerful automations and roadmaps. Here are the key capabilities that stood out to us during our Jira software review.

Agile Development

Jira's agile scrum board

Jira is built for Agile development principles, offering versatile Scrum, Kanban, and bug-tracking boards suitable for various projects, including software development, recruitment, and budgeting.

Its intuitive management of sprints and issues, complemented by multiple project views like user stories, places it a step ahead of competitors.

We really liked Jira’s Agile boards and found that they’re somewhat more adaptable than similar tools, offering seamless integration of Agile methodologies into project planning and execution.

Dashboards and Reports

Jira dashboard

Jira offers 15+ types of data-driven reports for every project stage. For example, sprint and resolution time reports offer actionable insights for project managers to make informed decisions.

This feature of generating visually rich reports for various stages, from planning to delivery, and their shareability with clients, enhances transparency in communication.

Compared to competitors, Jira’s dashboards and reports stand out for their comprehensiveness. We found the interface fairly navigational, but it does take some getting used to.

Unlike Trello, for example, Jira reviews do outline that there’s a slight learning curve with navigating the interface.

Roadmaps

Jira's advanced roadmaps

Roadmaps in Jira offer a high-level, visual summary of project goals, timelines, and priorities, invaluable for stakeholder alignment and prioritizing tasks.

This feature provides a comprehensive overview, critical for managing complex projects. Jira’s roadmaps are notable in promoting transparent communication and accountability.

We found that they’re detailed and quite customizable, offering a clear overview of project progress and objectives. To add to their versatility, you can export them to PDF and CSV formats, too.

However, they may not share the same beauty as the roadmaps possible with platforms like Hygger, for example, but this does usually come down to personal preference.

Role Assignment

Jira facilitates efficient user access and permissions management. It lets you easily assign users to different roles and groups, which is crucial for organizations with multiple projects.

It enables precise control over project roles and permissions, enhancing project security and workflow efficiency, but is unfortunately only available on Jira’s paid plans.

We found Jira offers granular control of roles, which can make it challenging for new users to navigate when compared to tools like Asana, which offer less detailed role customization.

That said, it’s worth noting that, unlike most competitors, you can’t assign a task to multiple assignees. This may or may not be a dealbreaker for you, it all depends on your specific needs.

Jira Integrations

Jira offers many integrations, exceeding 3,000 in over 35 categories, ranging from project management and CRM tools to dependency management, security, and workflow software.

This extensive selection positions Jira as a highly adaptable tool for various business needs. Notably, Jira integrates with popular platforms like Slack, Microsoft, Google, and Zoom.

This enhances its utility for diverse team environments. Jira’s cloud family, including Jira Service Management and Jira Work Management, can all be used on the same site, too.

There’s no doubt that Jira’s integration capabilities are extensive, especially when compared to Monday.com and Trello, for example, which offer 200+ integrations.

So, Jira offers far more versatility than many competitors, and for the most part, the integration support and implementation have gotten good feedback. However, there have been some complaints.

Jira Customer Reviews

Jira, the prominent project management tool that it is, has garnered impressive scores of 4.3/5 on G2 and 4.4/5 on Software Advice, reflecting its strong reputation among users.

When looking into customer reviews from various platforms, we find a blend of praises and critiques that shape our understanding of Jira’s performance beyond our experience with it.

Jira reviews - Software Advice

Jira is widely acclaimed for its kanban-style overview of projects, effective project management through task distribution into sprints, and reliable team-tracking capabilities.

Its comprehensive toolset, excellent for managing various project aspects, and remarkable live collaboration features make it a favorite in dynamic project environments.

Integrating popular tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Confluence further enhances its utility. However, it’s not without its challenges; some users report:

  • Performance issues in large projects
  • Find its myriad of features overwhelming initially
  • Suggest improvements in the user interface less rigid

And, although most find connecting with the integration options easy, some have noted issues with specific plugins, suggesting there’s room for improvement in certain areas.

Jira Review - G2

Overall, Jira reviews aligned with our experience when we tested it. The broad range of features and integrations make it a powerful tool, but this can also contribute to a steep learning curve for new users.

The noted performance issues and user interface challenges are areas Jira could definitely focus on for improvement, too, but for the most part, these aren’t a dealbreaker.

What is Jira Good for?

Jira is primarily recognized for its strengths in project management, and as we’ve found in this Jira review, it particularly shines in environments that demand agile development methodologies.

It boasts a significant amount of integrations, which are available with all plans–even the free one. Jira facilitates complex project management and team coordination, too.

This is achievable with features like customizable workflows, extensive integration options, and real-time collaboration tools. It’s a great choice for larger teams and complex projects.

That said, it’s not the go-to for smaller projects and teams, as it can be harder to navigate and set up than tools like Monday, for example.

Jira vs Top Competitors

Comparing tools can offer valuable insights that can help you decide which platform is best. Here’s a concise table that highlights key aspects, helping you compare it to the top Jira alternatives:

Jira Monday Wrike ClickUp Smartsheet Teamwork
Best For Large businesses and tech teams New businesses Marketing teams Remote teams Free project planning Automation
Starting Price $8.15/user/month $9/user/month $9.80/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $5.99/user/month
Free Version Free plan Free plan Free plan Free plan Free plan Free plan
Compatibility iOS, Android, browser iOS, Android, browser iOS, Android, browser iOS, Android, browser iOS, Android, browser iOS, Android, browser
Top Features Agile methodologies, Advanced reporting, Roadmaps User-friendly, Workflow automation, Time tracking Interactive Gantt charts, Collaborative editing, Analytics Customizable views, Easy collaboration, 1,000+ integrations Intuitive interface, Multiple view options, Data security Client management, Budget tracking, Portfolio management

Jira vs Trello

Jira and Trello, both from Atlassian, serve distinct roles. Jira, with its detailed Agile methodologies and extensive integrations, is ideal for large tech teams needing complex project management.

It offers structured environments, Scrum and Kanban boards, and robust reporting tools. Trello, on the other hand, shines in its simplicity and flexibility.

Trello’s intuitive Kanban board and user-friendly interface make it suitable for a variety of projects for small to mid-sized businesses.

The choice between Jira and Trello depends on project complexity and team size. As we’ve explored in this Jira review, we recommend it for detailed, large-scale projects and Trello for simpler, more flexible task management.

Recommended Read: Our Full Trello Review

Jira vs Asana

As most reviews state, like ours, Jira is a favorite among DevOps and software development teams, as it offers advanced features suited for complex project tracking.

With its superior design and user experience, Asana appeals to a broader audience, providing a more intuitive platform that’s ideal for general project management.

Asana’s dashboards and reporting are user-friendly and robust, though less customizable than Jira’s. If you’re looking for simplicity, then we recommend going for Asana.

Read More: An In-Depth Asana Review

Jira vs Confluence

Jira and Confluence, again two products from Atlassian, cater to distinct but different needs in project collaboration. Jira, ideal for technical teams, excels in project management and bug tracking.

Confluence, on the other hand, specializes in documentation, providing an intuitive platform for teams to create, manage, and share content such as meeting notes and strategy documents.

While Jira focuses on structured project workflows, Confluence is more about collaborative knowledge sharing. We recommend Confluence for content organization and team collaboration, but you should go for Jira for anything more technical than that.

Verdict – Is Jira Worth it?

Jira stands out as a robust solution for businesses, particularly larger, tech-centric teams seeking a comprehensive project management tool. Its strength undoubtedly lies in its Agile methodologies.

This includes Scrum and Kanban, making it highly effective for software development and complex project tracking. The platform’s range of integrations is another significant asset.

So, Jira is undoubtedly worth it if you require detailed project management with Agile features. However, as we explored in this Jira software review, its complexity can be daunting for some.

Moreover, while offering a free plan, its pricing will be a consideration for startups or smaller businesses. If you’re after simplicity, we recommend checking out Monday.

How We Test Project Management Tools

With over 13 years of being an authoritative voice in tech, our team at Techopedia brings extensive experience in testing and analyzing leading project management tools.

Our rigorous testing process involves a comprehensive 2-week evaluation, examining features for efficiency, assessing app usability across platforms, and evaluating the quality of support offered.

We dig into the specifics, such as testing automation capabilities and integration efficiency, to provide a detailed understanding of each tool’s strengths and weaknesses.

We also consider user reviews from reputable sites, ensuring our analysis is well-rounded and reflects diverse user experiences.

How to Choose the Best Project Management Solution

Choosing the best project management app requires carefully assessing various factors to ensure it aligns with your business needs. Here’s a list of factors you should consider:

PriceFeaturesScalabilityEase of UseIntegrationsCustomer Support

You’ll want to set a budget to get a better idea of what tools are within your range. Beyond this, you’ll also want to take into account the feature-to-price value on offer with the provider to determine whether you’re getting good value for money for the functionality.

Verify that the essential features you require are available in the plan you’re considering. Some advanced features might be restricted to higher-tier plans. This can (and often does) include things like integrations and automations, for example.

Assess the cost of scaling up, and whether the provider offers the additional functionality you’ll need as your business grows. This is key to factor in before you commit – even to a free plan – as changing platforms can be a nightmare.

Determine the system’s ease of use to avoid extensive setup or training requirements. Free versions or trials can give you a hands-on experience of the tool’s usability.

Check if the necessary integrations are available and whether they are included in your chosen plan or only in higher-tier ones.

Consider the availability of support hours and the methods offered. It’s also essential to factor in user reviews regarding customer support quality.

FAQs

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Is Jira worth it?

What are the disadvantages of Jira?

References

Aidan Weeks
Technology Expert
Aidan Weeks
Technology Expert

Aidan Weeks, a Master's graduate in Mechanical Engineering, has thrived as a freelance writer for over three years. Specializing in tech, engineering, and B2B sectors, Aidan adeptly crafts web copy, blog posts, manuals, product pages, and more, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. His transition from academia to full-time writing reflects his passion for bridging technical expertise with clear, informative content.