ClickUp vs Jira: the clash of the titans of agile project management
ClickUp and Jira are a close match. These two project management tools dominate the market for agile teams:
- on the one hand, ClickUp focuses on flexibility and the all-in-one experience ;
- on the other, Jira remains the essential reference for developers looking for well-run sprints.
But which one is right for you? Whether you're a startup looking for customisation, an SME looking to streamline collaboration, or a tech team living by the rhythm of agile sprints, choosing the right solution can make all the difference.
👉 In this guide, we've compared ClickUp vs Jira from A to Z: features, pricing, interface, integrations, use cases... Enough to help you make an informed decision... without spending a week on it.
What is ClickUp?
General presentation of ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management tool designed to centralise the organisation of work, whatever the type of team. ClickUp has rapidly established itself as a modern alternative to traditional tools, with an ambitious promise: "to replace all other tools ". And that's all there is to it.
Ultra-flexible, ClickUp is aimed at marketing, product and HR teams, as well as developers. It is seductive because of its customisable interface, its modular logic and its huge catalogue of functionalities. Whereas Jira is aimed primarily at technical teams, ClickUp takes a more cross-functional approach, adapted to all areas of the business.
ClickUp's main functionalities
Before going into detail, it has to be said: ClickUp does not do things by halves. The software offers an impressive arsenal of features, often customisable, to adapt to all workflows, even the most complex.
⚒️ Here are the key features that set ClickUp apart:
- advanced task management: lists, Kanban boards, Gantt views, timelines, mind maps, etc ;
- integrated docs and wikis: collaborative creation of documents directly within the platform;
- customised automations: effortlessly streamline workflows;
- customised dashboards: visual reporting, KPIs, time tracking, etc;
- agile sprint management: backlog, points of effort, burndown charts, etc;
- integrated communication: comments, chat, real-time notifications;
- flexible hierarchy: space > folder > list > task > subtask, all fully customisable;
- native integrations with over 1,000 tools (Slack, GitHub, Zoom, etc.).
ClickUp
Advantages and disadvantages of ClickUp
Like any comprehensive tool, ClickUp is divisive. Some love it for its power and versatility, others find it too complex to use. Before deciding, let's take a look at what it does very well, and where it can frustrate.
✅ ClickUp has some serious arguments to make, particularly for teams looking for a single tool capable of centralising all their operations:
- ultra-complete: one of the richest solutions on the market ;
- highly customisable: every view, every field, every workflow can be adjusted;
- modern, intuitive interface: clear design, fluid navigation, well thought-out user experience;
- excellent value for money: generous free version, affordable plans with great value;
- centralised tools: docs, tasks, dashboards, it's all in ClickUp ;
- powerful automations: to save precious time.
❌ But all this richness has a downside. ClickUp can be intimidating, especially if you're looking for simplicity or if the team is unfamiliar with advanced project management tools, because of :
- a steep learning curve, especially for new users ;
- functional overload: too many options can kill the option;
- uneven performance on very large projects: slowness reported on massive boards;
- sometimes slow support on free or basic plans;
- limited automation in small plans (contrary to the "all-in-one" promise).
What is Jira?
Overview of Jira
Developed by Atlassian, Jira is one of the historical pillars of agile project management. Originally designed for software development teams, it has become the benchmark tool for tracking bugs, planning releases, managing sprints and organising workloads in Scrum or Kanban mode.
Today, Jira has broadened its scope with several new versions (Jira Software, Jira Work Management, Jira Service Management), but retains its technical DNA. Its real strength? A formidable flexibility for modelling complex workflows, while integrating seamlessly into the dev and IT ecosystem.
Jira's main features
Jira isn't the sexiest tool visually, but under the bonnet it's a war machine for technical teams who know what they want. Its agile orientation makes it an ultra-precise management tool.
⚒️ Here are the features that make the difference:
- agile project management (Scrum/Kanban): sprints, backlog, burndown chart, velocity ;
- customisable workflows: advanced definition of statuses, transitions, roles and rules;
- visual boards: for tracking tasks, tickets, versions and stories;
- product roadmaps: long-term vision, release planning, dependencies;
- bug and incident tracking: a robust system for QA and support teams;
- detailed reports: velocity, cycle time, progress by sprint or version;
- automation and conditional rules: fine-tuned management of repetitive workflows;
- advanced integration with Atlassian tools (Bitbucket, Confluence, Trello, etc.) and dev tools (GitHub, Jenkins, etc.).
Jira
Advantages and disadvantages of Jira
Jira has many supporters, particularly among developers and technical project managers. But you need to know what you're getting into: it's a powerful tool, but one that requires a certain level of agile maturity.
✅ For seasoned tech teams, Jira is a real agile cockpit. It shines where rigour and structure are needed:
- very robust for agile management: perfect for sprints, scrums and development cycles ;
- advanced customisation of workflows, roles, statuses and views;
- solid Atlassian ecosystem: seamless integration with Confluence, Bitbucket, etc. ;
- powerful reports and dashboards for project monitoring;
- support for complex standards: version management, stories, epic, etc. ;
- Well-documented APIs and automations for bespoke integrations.
❌ But Jira is also technically difficult to get to grips with, and has a sometimes... old school interface. It won't suit all teams, especially outside IT, because of :
- a less intuitive interface than ClickUp, with a dated look ;
- steep learning curve for the uninitiated;
- less suited to non-technical teams (marketing, HR...);
- too rigid for certain simple workflows;
- can quickly become expensive with premium options and multiple users;
- less 'native' collaboration (no integrated docs, for example).
ClickUp vs Jira: compare features
Before diving into the details, here's a quick overview of the main features of ClickUp and Jira. This table will help you spot at a glance which tool offers what, depending on your team's needs.
| Functionality | ClickUp | Jira |
| Agile methodology (Scrum/Kanban) | Very good support, but more generalist | Absolute reference for development |
| Customisable hierarchy | Spaces, folders, lists, sub-tasks | ⚠️ Less modular, more ticket-oriented |
| Integrated Docs & Wiki | Yes, native collaborative docs | ❌ No, requires Confluence |
| Native automations | Yes, from the free version | Yes, but more technical to configure |
| Reporting & dashboards | Customisable, visual | Very powerful but more complex |
| Version/release management | ❌ Basic | Highly developed |
| Bug/incident tracking | ⚠️ Possible, but not native | Key function |
| Integrated collaboration (comments, chat) | Yes, directly in the interface | ❌ Limited, often via external tools |
| Interface customisation | Very advanced | ⚠️ Limited and technical |
| Level of complexity | ⚠️ Medium to high | ⚠️ High |
Focus on agile management:
When it comes to agile management, Jira remains the benchmark, especially for development teams. It was designed from the outset to :
- manage sprints
- backlogs
- manage stories,
- epics
- versions
- and monitor team velocity.
ClickUp, for its part, integrated agile along the way, with a more mainstream approach. The tools are there (sprints, effort points, diagrams), but the experience is less rigid, which may appeal to hybrid or marketing teams, but frustrate purists.
🧠 To remember:
- Jira excels at pure Scrum/Kanban methods;
- ClickUp is more versatile, less rigid, but less focused on agile.
Focus on automation
Both tools offer automation, but not with the same level of accessibility.
ClickUp lets you create simple automations right from the free plan:
- change of status
- automatic assignment,
- notifications, etc.
The interface is clear, with ready-to-use recipes. Ideal for those who want to save time without coding.
Jira, on the other hand, offers very powerful automation, but is more technical. You often need to understand the workflows to configure them effectively. That said, for seasoned dev teams, it's a very rich playground.
🧠 To remember:
- ClickUp offers automations that are accessible to all;
- Jira offers robust but more complex automation .
Focus on customising the interface
If you like your tool to adapt to you, then ClickUp is for you. It allows you to customise almost everything:
- views (list, kanban, calendar, Gantt, mindmap...),
- custom fields
- themes,
- hierarchy,
- dashboard, etc.
It's a real project management chameleon.
With Jira, the interface is more standardised. You can customise certain elements, but this often requires admin rights or advanced configurations. And visually, let's be honest: it's not very sexy.
🧠 To remember:
- ClickUp has a modern, 100% customisable interface;
- Jira is more rigid and not very effortlessly customisable.
ClickUp vs Jira: compare prices
| Plan | ClickUp | Jira |
| Free |
|
|
| Basic plan | Unlimited - €8.51/user/month
|
Standard - €7.75/user/month
|
| Intermediate plan | Business - €10.21/user/month
|
Premium - €14.63/user/month
|
| Advanced plan | Enterprise - on quotation
|
Enterprise - on quotation
|
💡 To remember:
- ClickUp offers more advanced features from the smaller plans (docs, dashboards, automations) ;
- Jira becomes really powerful from the Premium plan upwards, especially for technical teams.
- For fewer than 10 users, Jira is an excellent free option. Beyond that, ClickUp becomes more economical and versatile.
ClickUp vs Jira: which interface is more intuitive?
Between user experience and functional power, the two tools have made very different choices. Here is a clear comparison of handling, ergonomics and customisation of the user interface.
| Criteria | ClickUp | Jira |
| General ergonomics | Modern, clear and pleasant interface | ⚠️ Technical interface, sometimes dated |
| Getting started | Gradual learning curve | ⚠️ Fairly technical, especially for non-dev users |
| Customisation | Views, hierarchy, fields, themes | ⚠️ Limited customisation without advanced configuration |
| Mobile accessibility | Fluid application on iOS & Android | Fair application but less fluid |
| Experience for non-techies | Perfect for marketing, HR, ops | ❌ Not suitable for non-tech teams |
💡 Usability analysis:
- ClickUp has clearly focused on a visually pleasing interface, with a UX designed for all profiles (technical or not): you can easily switch from a Kanban view to a timeline, display a dark mode, or create an ultra-simplified interface for an external collaborator, the modular logic (spaces, folders, lists, tasks) is fluid, especially after a little time of adaptation ;
- Jira's interface, on the other hand, is more raw, clearly designed for experienced agile developers or project managers.
ClickUp vs Jira: compare integrations
The better a solution integrates with your IT stack, your collaboration tools or your CRM, the more it becomes a pillar of your productivity. Whether you're a project manager, CTO or ops, the richness of the catalogue of integrations, the ease of implementation and the potential for automation are decisive selection criteria.
👉 Number of available integrations
- ClickUp: ⭐��⭐⭐☆
Over 1,000 integrations via Zapier, Make, and native connections with Slack, GitHub, Google Workspace, Notion, Zoom, HubSpot, OneDrive, etc. The approach is open and 'no-code' oriented, with public connectors that are easy to activate. However, some technical integrations require an intermediary such as Zapier.
- Jira: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hundreds of native integrations directly in the Atlassian ecosystem (Bitbucket, Confluence, Trello), but also with GitHub, GitLab, Slack, Azure DevOps, Salesforce, Figma, Jenkins, etc. The Atlassian Marketplace is packed with powerful connectors, often designed for complex workflows, especially for tech teams.
👉 Ease of configuration
- ClickUp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Visual interface, quick activation of integrations from the settings. Very simple to connect apps like Google Calendar, Slack or Zoom. Non-technical users can manage the essentials without help. Only advanced automation (via API or external tools) requires a little more mastery.
- Jira: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Integrating new tools may require the creation of specific workflows, scripts or permissions. Although Jira offers templates and ready-to-use options, some connections (particularly via API) require a real technical background. The experience is powerful, but rarely "plug & play".
👉 Customisation and automation
- ClickUp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
ClickUp allows integrations to be linked to internal automations: status changes, notifications, field updates, automatic assignment, etc. The system is simple but effective, especially for teams who want to automate without coding.
- Jira: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is one of Jira's strong points. Thanks to advanced automation rules, the REST API and custom scripts, integrations can drive complex workflows, trigger multi-stage actions, synchronise statuses or enrich data between tools. A real orchestration engine, provided you have the skills in-house.
💡 Conclusion:
- ClickUp takes the lead on ease of access: its integrations are quick to activate, designed for agile and multidisciplinary teams, an excellent option for centralising work without friction;
- Jira, on the other hand, is aimed at technical teams who want to control their stack down to the smallest detail. It's a robust platform, cut out for complex projects and DevOps or IT environments.
When to choose ClickUp or Jira?
Choosing between ClickUp and Jira is not just a question of functionality or price. It's also a matter of team profile, level of project complexity, and work culture. Here's when one becomes more suitable than the other. 👇
Typical use cases for ClickUp
ClickUp stands out as a flexible collaboration tool, suited to multidisciplinary teams looking to centralise their project management without technical complexity. It shines when it comes to streamlining exchanges between business lines, saving time through simple automation, and standardising processes without sacrificing agility.
🎯 Ideal use cases:
- start-ups or SMEs looking for an all-in-one tool for projects, docs, communication and reporting ;
- marketing, product and design teams who want a visual, customisable and collaborative environment;
- agencies or freelancers managing several clients/projects at the same time;
- companies looking for a tool that is easy to deploy, without being heavily dependent on an IT department;
- non-technical managers looking for a clear interface to monitor progress without complexity.
Typical use cases for Jira
Jira is designed for structured technical teams who work using advanced agile methods (Scrum, SAFe, Kanban) and who need precise control over their workflows, development cycles, versions and deliveries.
He excels in environments where rigour and traceability are crucial.
🎯 Ideal use cases:
- Software development, IT or DevOps teams managing their sprints and tickets with precision ;
- Technical PMOs managing complex projects with dependencies, milestones and release cycles;
- Service companies or ESNs needing to justify the tracking of bugs, incidents or technical interventions;
- organisations with an Atlassian ecosystem already in place (Confluence, Bitbucket, Trello, etc.);
- QA / test managers looking for precise tracking of bugs, incidents and corrective versions.
ClickUp vs Jira: draw or knockout?
ClickUp vs Jira is a bit like comparing an ultra-modern Swiss Army knife with an ultra-specialised engineering tool. Both are powerful, but not made for the same purposes.
👉 If you're looking for a versatile, intuitive, customisable tool that centralises project management, collaboration, documentation and even a bit of CRM... ClickUp is an excellent choice. It will suit a variety of teams, even non-technical ones, with a quick learning curve and accessible automation.
👉 On the other hand, if you're a tech team, a mature agile organisation, or an IT department that needs ultra-focused sprints, complex workflows and advanced development integration, then Jira remains the benchmark.
The right choice?
- for cross-functional projects, from marketing to product: ClickUp;
- for pure software development, with cycles, versions and backlogs: Jira.
And if you're still not sure... why not try out both? The free versions will give you a quick overview of what each can (and can't) offer you.
FAQ - ClickUp vs Jira
Is ClickUp suitable for agile management?
Yes, it is. ClickUp offers agile features such as sprints, effort points, backlogs and Kanban views. However, it is less rigid than Jira, which makes it a more accessible solution for hybrid teams (product, marketing, design) who want to work with an agile logic without technical complexity.
Is Jira too complex for small teams?
Not necessarily. Jira offers a free version for up to 10 users, ideal for small tech teams. However, getting to grips with it requires a minimum of knowledge of agile workflows. For simple or non-technical uses, ClickUp will be quicker to adopt.
Can Jira or ClickUp be connected to external tools?
Yes. Both tools offer a wide range of integrations, both native and via API or Zapier. Jira integrates naturally with the entire Atlassian ecosystem (Confluence, Bitbucket, etc.), while ClickUp relies on more universal integrations (Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, HubSpot, etc.), which are often easier to configure.
Can ClickUp replace Jira in a dev team?
It depends. For an advanced software development team, Jira remains the benchmark thanks to its version management, agile reporting and deep integration with tools such as GitHub or Jenkins. On the other hand, for a small tech team with more flexible needs, ClickUp can do the job while offering a more modern experience.
Article translated from French