12 alternatives to Jira for managing your projects without spending all day on them
When it comes to project management, it's hard not to mention Jira. This Atlassian mastodon has made its mark in tech companies for structuring workflows, tracking bugs and orchestrating complex agile projects.
But let's be honest: Jira isn't for everyone.
With its dense interface, steep learning curve and rapidly escalating pricing for growing teams, many managers are now turning to a more intuitive, flexible and sometimes even free or open source alternative to Jira.
Whether you're managing an agile team, a company strategic plan, or a portfolio of projects, there are simpler (and often more effective) solutions for centralising tasks, customising your workflows and maintaining a real overview.
👉 In this guide, we reveal the 12 best alternatives to Jira, tested and compared to help you choose the right project management software, tailored to your challenges, your team, and your budget.
What is Jira?
Jira is project management software developed by Atlassian, mainly used for task tracking, agile planning and technical project management.
Originally designed for bug tracking, it has become one of the preferred tools of IT teams, developers and product managers.
Its main advantage? Virtually unlimited configuration power. With Jira, you can :
- create customised workflows
- view progress via Kanban or Scrum boards,
- manage dependencies, prioritise tasks,
- and integrate everything with a multitude of tools via API.
But all this power comes at a price: complexity, time to set up, an interface that is sometimes not very intuitive, especially for non-techies. Jira is best suited to large project teams, advanced agile methods or companies with the resources to customise it.
Jira is therefore a robust platform for complex projects... but often over-designed (and time-consuming) for teams who just want to move forward efficiently.
Jira
Why consider an alternative to Jira?
While Jira remains a benchmark for agile project management, it is no longer universally accepted. Many teams, both tech and non-tech, end up looking for simpler, more fluid management software that is better adapted to their reality on the ground. Here are the main reasons behind this change. 👇
A complex and unintuitive interface
Jira is not what you'd call a "plug & play" application. The dense, modular interface can be off-putting from the first few clicks. Each project requires ticket schemas, workflows, permissions, Kanban boards, etc. to be set up. And even for a simple task, you soon find yourself clicking back and forth.
Teams used to tools like Trello, ClickUp or monday.com often find Jira too rigid and too technical, especially when it comes to tracking daily tasks. Clearly, if your team needs a fluid, intuitive and visual tool, Jira can quickly become more of a hindrance than a help.
A time-consuming solution to configure and maintain
Jira is a configurable gas factory, but each adjustment takes time. A lot of time. And often, technical skills.
Create a new project? You need to define ticket types, statuses, transitions, notifications, screen layouts and so on.
Want to add a custom field or automate a step? Get ready to dive into the documentation... or call an admin.
In practice, Jira works well when you have a team dedicated to managing it. Otherwise, productivity suffers. Conversely, some alternative tools focus on ready-to-use templates, rapid onboarding and a simplified user experience.
A cost that can become prohibitive
In terms of pricing, Jira offers a free version, but this is quickly limited (10 users, few advanced functions). As soon as your team grows or you need integrations, automations or advanced reporting, the bill goes up.
Add to that the cost of the Atlassian marketplace plugins, which are sometimes essential for certain functions, and you end up with a solution that can easily exceed €1,000 per year for a small team.
Several alternatives to Jira offer more generous free versions, or more flexible paying plans depending on the size of the team. Some open source solutions even offer total control at lower cost (if you have the resources to host them).
A tool ill-suited to non-technical profiles
Historically, Jira was designed for developers. Its ecosystem (JQL, CI/CD integrations, version management, technical backlog) proves this. As a result, for marketing, HR or finance profiles, the tool often seems incomprehensible, even hostile.
And even for project managers used to managing projects using schedules, Gantt charts or calendar views, Jira is not always intuitive. There are plugins and extensions to make up for this, but you still need to know how to configure them.
Many companies today prefer to turn to cross-functional platforms, capable of addressing tech, product, business and support teams simultaneously.
A lack of flexibility for certain use cases
Yes, Jira can do everything. But is it really necessary to do everything by hand? For complex agile projects, Jira is an excellent choice. But for hybrid or multi-site teams, or customer projects, it sometimes lacks flexibility.
Kanban boards are powerful, but limited. You often have to use plugins to get a real Gantt chart, load views or budget tracking. Conversely, tools such as Wrike, Teamwork or Triskell offer these functions natively, without adding layers of complexity.
Table comparing the 12 best alternatives to Jira
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 monday.com |  Triskell Software | Jira |  Asana |  Microsoft Azure DevOps |  Basecamp |  ClickUp |  GitHub |  Linear |  AgilePlace |  Teamwork |  Trello |  Wrike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For all companies | For companies with more than 250 employees | For companies with more than 1 employees | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For companies with more than 50 employees |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about monday.com | Learn more about Triskell Software | Learn more about Jira | Learn more about Asana | Learn more about Microsoft Azure DevOps | Learn more about Basecamp | Learn more about ClickUp | Learn more about GitHub | Learn more about Linear | Learn more about AgilePlace | Learn more about Teamwork | Learn more about Trello | Learn more about Wrike |
Our top 12 alternative management tools to Jira
Asana: a simple, visual alternative to Jira for better collaboration
Asana is online project management software (100% cloud) designed for non-technical teams: marketing, product, HR, communications, etc. The tool adopts a clear, visual approach, far removed from the sometimes overwhelming complexity of Jira. Asana is easy to learn and use, with multiple views that adapt to each user's preferences.
Offered as a freemium service, Asana comes with a generous free version, which is sufficient for many small teams. Upgrades are then made via paid plans that add advanced functions such as portfolios, workloads and reports.
⚒️ Here are the main features found in Asana:
- customisable views: list, Kanban board, calendar, or timeline (Gantt type) ;
- simple automation via rules (assignment, reminders, transitions) ;
- tracking of tasks, milestones and dependencies within each project ;
- flexible permissions system (private, shared or public projects);
- integrations with Slack, Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. ;
- tracking reports and multi-project portfolios;
- full mobile application for working on the move.
Asana is the ideal tool for those who want to keep a clear overview of the work in progress, without spending time managing the tool itself.
Asana
Azure DevOps: the Microsoft alternative for technical teams
Developed by Microsoft, Azure DevOps is a project management platform designed specifically for software development teams. It is a complete solution, integrated into the Azure ecosystem, combining agile planning, source code management, CI/CD and work tracking.
Ideal for large tech teams, Azure DevOps is available as SaaS (Microsoft cloud) or as a self-hosted open source version with Azure DevOps Server. It's a solid choice for companies already in the Microsoft world, or who need powerful DevOps functionality.
⚒️ Here's what Azure DevOps has to offer:
- agile project management with Boards, backlogs, sprints and roadmaps ;
- native Git integration for code versioning ;
- fully customisable CI/CD pipelines;
- detailed tracking of tasks, bugs, issues and change requests;
- granular permissions and fine-grained access management;
- integration with Visual Studio, Microsoft Teams, Azure Cloud, etc. ;
- Rich API to automate workflows or connect other tools.
Azure DevOps is aimed at mature technical teams looking for a robust, scalable tool capable of centralising everything on a single platform.
Microsoft Azure DevOps
Basecamp: project management without the headaches
Basecamp goes against the grain of Jira with its ultra-minimalist approach. There are no complex workflows or lengthy configurations. The tool focuses on simplicity, fluid communication and clear organisation of projects, in an environment designed to avoid chaos.
It's a 100% cloud-based solution, ideal for SMEs, creative teams or companies that want to structure their work without getting bogged down in agile bureaucracy.
⚒️ Basecamp's main features include
- projects organised by " base camp " (with tasks, files, deadlines, etc.) ;
- simple task lists with assignments and deadlines;
- discussion space dedicated to each project;
- docs and files centralised in each space;
- calendar view and automatic notification of key dates;
- Check-in " function for daily team updates;
- user-friendly mobile application and desktop.
Basecamp is the anti-Jira par excellence: a frictionless tool that does few things, but does them well.
Basecamp
ClickUp: the all-in-one toolbox for managing projects and teams
ClickUp is positioned as an ultra-flexible alternative to Jira, capable of adapting to all methods: agile, kanban, waterfall, or hybrid. It's a management platform designed for teams who want to centralise everything: tasks, documents, objectives, time, chat... in a single application.
Cloud-native, with a very generous free version, ClickUp appeals to start-ups and corporate project teams alike. Its trump card: very advanced customisation, with no need for technical skills.
⚒️ Here is an overview of ClickUp's key features:
- multiple views: list, kanban, Gantt, inbox, mindmap ;
- creation of templates and customised automations ;
- tracking of working time, workload and priorities;
- integrated objectives and OKRs to drive strategy;
- collaborative docs and wikis integrated into the workspace;
- centralised internal messaging, comments and notifications;
- integrations with over 100 tools (Slack, Figma, Zoom, GitHub, etc.).
ClickUp is the ideal tool if you're looking for a complete, ultra-customisable management platform that can keep pace with your company's growth.
ClickUp
GitHub Projects: manage your projects where your code already lives
If your team lives in GitHub, why bother with another tool? With GitHub Projects, the platform now offers integrated project management, directly linked to your repositories, pull requests and issues.
It's a 100% cloud option, ideal for agile development teams who want to manage their tasks without leaving their environment. No need for synchronisation or third-party APIs: everything is native.
⚒️ Here are the main features of GitHub Projects:
- Dynamic Kanban boards linked to issues and PRs;
- customisable views by status, priority or date;
- custom fields for each card (estimated time, owner, sprint, etc.);
- automations via GitHub Actions ;
- powerful filters for managing several projects at once;
- real-time collaboration on code and tickets;
- fine-grained rights management and modification tracking.
This makes GitHub an integrated alternative to Jira for teams working in DevOps mode who want to get straight to the point, without leaving their repo.
GitHub
Linear: the ultra-fast agile tool for modern tech teams
Linear is the response of agile start-ups to the cumbersome nature of Jira. Designed for product and development teams, this tool focuses on speed, clarity and performance. Every action is optimised to save you time.
The interface is uncluttered and ultra-fluid, and keyboard navigation is a delight. Linear is 100% cloud-based, with a free version that covers the essentials, and paid plans for businesses.
⚒️ Here's what Linear has to offer:
- backlog, sprints, roadmap and agile cycle management ;
- ultra-fast search engine and native keyboard commands ;
- views by project, team, status or priority;
- synchronisation with GitHub, GitLab and other dev tools;
- built-in automations, reminders and notifications;
- Full API and webhooks to extend workflows;
- modern design, dark mode interface and fluid collaboration.
Linear is the alternative to Jira for those who want to go fast, well and without friction, without sacrificing the needs of their tech teams.
Linear
monday.com: modular project management accessible to all
monday.com is a highly visual collaborative working platform that can be used to structure any workflow: project, CRM, HR monitoring, product roadmap or marketing management. It's one of the most versatile alternatives to Jira on the market.
Its system of customisable 'boards' means you can create made-to-measure workflows, and even non-technical profiles can get to grips with it straight away.
⚒️ Here's what monday.com has to offer in terms of functionality:
- customisable boards (lists, kanban, Gantt, calendar, workload, etc.) ;
- Code-free automation (notifications, reassignments, status);
- management of tasks, dependencies, sub-tasks and milestones ;
- forms, dashboards and consolidated multi-project views;
- integrations with over 50 pro tools: Teams, Slack, Outlook, Drive, etc;
- time, budget and resource tracking;
- access control and advanced roles for large teams.
monday.com is the ideal solution for cross-functional businesses, where project management needs to be simple, adaptable and collaborative, without sacrificing functional power.
monday.com
Planview AgilePlace: company-wide agile planning
Formerly known as LeanKit, Planview AgilePlace is a Kanban-based visual management tool designed for agile teams, PMOs and large organisations looking to align projects with strategy.
Here, we're not just talking about managing tasks, but steering large-scale value streams. The tool is cloud-based, designed to integrate into complex environments, often in conjunction with other solutions such as Jira or Azure DevOps.
⚒️ Here are the main features offered by AgilePlace:
- powerful, multi-level Kanban boards (project, programme, portfolio) ;
- work-in-progress (WIP) limits and capacity management;
- hierarchical views for viewing dependencies and prioritising ;
- Lean/Agile reports: lead time, throughput, blocked cards, etc. ;
- integration with Jira, Azure DevOps, GitHub, ServiceNow, etc. ;
- modelling of complex workflows without coding;
- tool designed for agile management at SAFe / LeSS scale.
AgilePlace is aimed at companies undergoing an agile transformation and looking for a visual management tool that can work in tandem with other systems.
AgilePlace
Teamwork: the project tool for agencies and customer services
Teamwork is a project management solution designed for agencies, professional services teams and consultancies. Where Jira is technical, Teamwork focuses on task clarity, budget management and profitability monitoring.
The tool is cloud-based and comprehensive, yet easy to learn. It offers a free version for small teams, and a scalable version for growing structures.
⚒️ Here's what Teamwork has to offer:
- project view: lists, kanban, calendar, Gantt, portfolio ;
- tracking of time spent by task or by resource;
- management of budgets, margins and project costs;
- integrated invoicing and time export
- customer area for external collaboration;
- reusable project templates and workflow automation;
- integrations with Google Workspace, HubSpot, Slack, etc.
Teamwork is the solution for teams who need to deliver on time, invoice accurately and maintain a high level of customer visibility.
Teamwork
Trello: the minimalist, visual alternative for organising your projects
It's impossible not to mention Trello, one of the best-known management tools... and one of the easiest to use. Based on the Kanban board, Trello lets you view tasks in columns and move them around as they progress.
It's a freemium cloud application that's very accessible, perfect for small teams, freelancers or cross-functional projects that don't require a gas factory.
⚒️ Here are Trello's key features:
- visual task boards with drag & drop ;
- customisable cards (checklists, dates, attachments, labels) ;
- automation via Butler (conditional actions, reminders, etc.);
- multiple views : calendar, timeline, dashboard, etc;
- integrations via Power-Ups (Google Drive, Slack, Jira, etc.);
- ultra-simple, synchronised mobile application;
- clear, intuitive interface with no overload.
Trello is the tool that does the job without complexity, ideal for getting started quickly, without training, and keeping your projects readable.
Trello
Triskell: the modular PPM solution to manage strategy and execution
Triskell is much more than a simple project management tool. It is a PPM (Project & Portfolio Management) platform designed for complex organisations, major accounts or companies looking for strategic steering. Unlike Jira, which focuses on tasks, Triskell connects strategic objectives, budgets, resources and initiatives in a single interface.
The tool is cloud-based, 100% customisable, with a modular approach tailored to business needs: IT, finance, HR, PMO, etc.
⚒️ Key features of Triskell include
- multi-level portfolio management: projects, programmes, requests, ideas ;
- strategic alignment between objective plans and projects;
- budget monitoring, capacity, workload and consolidated planning;
- customised workflows for each type of project;
- interactive dashboards and advanced reporting ;
- granular permissions by profile, BU, hierarchical level;
- possible integrations with Jira, SAP, Power BI, etc.
Triskell is emerging as an alternative to Jira for project managers looking to manage the entire project lifecycle with a clear view of the impact on business results.
Triskell Software
Wrike: a powerful collaborative platform for demanding teams
Wrike is positioned between Jira and Monday.com: a tool that is robust enough for technical teams, but also clear and collaborative enough for marketing, product or cross-functional teams.
Cloud-native, Wrike offers a free version for small teams, but it is above all on its more advanced plans that it reveals its power: multi-project management, advanced automation, real-time reporting and reinforced security.
⚒️ Here are the main features offered by Wrike:
- multiple views : list, Gantt, Kanban board, dashboard, workload ;
- tracking of tasks, dependencies, milestones and priorities ;
- complex automation : conditional rules, approvals, reminders, etc;
- real-time load and resource management;
- dynamic, shareable reporting;
- integrations with over 400 apps: Teams, Slack, Figma, Salesforce, etc. ;
- customisable workspace by team or department.
Wrike is aimed at teams looking for a balance between structure, collaboration and performance, without using an overly technical or rigid tool.
Wrike
How do I choose the right alternative to Jira?
Comparative table of the best alternatives to Jira
| Tool | Key features | Pricing (from) | Ideal for |
| Asana |
|
Free plan | Cross-functional teams, marketing, product |
| Azure DevOps |
|
By quotation | Development & IT teams |
| Basecamp |
|
Free plan | SMEs, creative teams |
| ClickUp |
|
Free plan | Start-ups, scale-ups, hybrid teams |
| GitHub Projects |
|
Free plan | Developers, tech teams |
| Linear |
|
Free plan | Startups tech, product, dev |
| monday.com |
|
Free plan | Large teams, marketing & HR projects |
| Planview AgilePlace |
|
On quotation | PMO, agile transformation, SAFe |
| Teamwork |
|
Free plan | Agencies, professional services, consultancies |
| Trello |
|
Free plan | Small teams, freelancers, VSEs |
| Triskell |
|
On quotation | Large companies, PMOs, CIOs |
| Wrike |
|
Free plan | Multi-disciplinary teams, large organisations |
Criteria for selecting an alternative to Jira
Choosing a project management tool is not just a question of interface or price. It's a strategic lever for improving collaboration, visibility and delivery. Here are the 6 essential criteria to consider before making your decision:
- the level of complexity of your projects : if your projects are complex, opt for platforms such as Wrike, Triskell or Azure DevOps; for lighter, more visual management, Asana, ClickUp or Trello will do very nicely ;
- the profile of your users: for developers: Linear, GitHub Projects or Azure DevOps will be more natural; for marketing, product or HR teams: interfaces such as monday.com, Teamwork or Basecamp are preferable;
- there's no point in paying for 100 options if you're only using 5. Each tool has its strengths: Teamwork shines in time/billing, Triskell in strategic management, ClickUp in customisation;
- the scalability and adaptability of the tool : will your team grow? will your projects become more structured?
- Pricing and business model;
- integration into your current ecosystem.
And what if the real problem wasn't Jira... but the tool that no longer suits you?
Jira remains a benchmark for the management of complex agile projects. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you have the impression that you spend more time managing the tool than managing your projects, it may be that your organisation has evolved faster than your software stack.
The good news is that there are now alternatives to Jira for all uses, all team sizes and all methodologies, from agile SMEs to strategic enterprise programmes.
🧠 So rather than adapting your methods to your tool, finally choose a project management platform that adapts to you. Test it, compare it, challenge it: the best solution isn't always the best known... but the one that saves you time, keeps you in control, and helps you work better as a team.
Article translated from French