6 best Jira alternatives and competitors for agile teams in 2025

Jira has long been the gold standard in project and issue tracking. Its deep configurability, enterprise-grade features, and strong integration with development tools earned it a solid reputation among agile teams and enterprises alike. 

Many teams today face what’s commonly called “Jira fatigue.” The platform’s complexity, pricing structure, and steep learning curve have become real friction points for leaner teams and fast-growing startups. 

This blog is for such teams. It provides a curated list of six of the best Jira alternatives and competitors in 2025  that align better with how agile teams actually work today. 

Why teams are looking for Jira alternatives in 2025

Jira may still dominate enterprise workflows, but its limitations are becoming increasingly hard to overlook. Below are some of the main reasons why teams are moving toward other tools similar to Jira: 

1. Expensive for growing teams: Jira’s pricing quickly becomes unsustainable as teams grow, with key features locked behind premium plans. 

2. Steep learning curve and clunky UI: Jira’s complex interface and confusing setup slow down adoption. Modern tools similar to Jira focus on ease of use, offering guided onboarding, intuitive dashboards, and faster time-to-value. 

3. Lack of essential agile features: Jira lacks built-in support for task dependencies, external collaboration, and flexible workflows. 

4. Limited and fragmented AI capabilities: Jira’s AI features are scattered and lack depth. In contrast, AI-first Jira competitors now provide intelligent automation like backlog grooming, predictive task sorting, and smart reporting.

5. Restricted mobile functionality: Jira’s mobile app misses critical features, making it inefficient for remote work

6. Sluggish performance at scale: As teams grow, Jira often slows down due to heavy workflows and complex automations.

7. Developer fatigue from bloated workflows: Jira’s over-customization leads to bloated, frustrating workflows. Dev teams now favor leaner tools like Jira, with built-in DevOps support, streamlined UX, and less overhead. 

The 6 best Jira alternatives and competitors in 2025

1. Linear

Linear is a modern project management tool designed specifically for engineering and product teams. It offers a streamlined interface and fast performance, enabling teams to plan, track, and release software with speed and precision. With its focus on simplicity and efficiency, Linear has become a preferred choice for teams seeking a more agile and user-friendly alternative to Jira.

Why it’s better than Jira

Linear stands out as a Jira competitor by providing a clean, intuitive interface that reduces the complexity often associated with Jira. Users appreciate its speed, ease of use, and the ability to quickly set up and manage projects without the steep learning curve. Unlike Jira, which can feel overwhelming with its extensive customization options, Linear offers a more straightforward approach that aligns with the needs of modern software development teams.

Key features

• Cycles & Roadmaps: Plan and visualize your product development with Cycles and Roadmaps, aligning your team around a unified product timeline.
• Issue Tracking: Efficiently manage tasks, bugs, and feature requests with a streamlined issue tracking system.
• Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with tools like GitHub, Slack, and GitLab to enhance your workflow.
• API Access: Utilize Linear’s API to automate processes and connect with other tools in your tech stack .

Best suited for

• Developer-centric teams: Those seeking a tool that integrates seamlessly with their development workflow.
• Agile teams: Teams that require fast iteration and clear visibility into their work.
• Startups and SMBs: Organizations looking for a cost-effective solution that doesn’t compromise on functionality.

Pricing

Linear offers a straightforward pricing model:

• Free: $0 – Unlimited members, 2 teams, 250 issues, Slack and GitHub integrations, API access.
• Basic: $8/user/month (billed annually) or $10/user/month (billed monthly) – Includes everything in Free, plus 5 teams, unlimited active issues, file uploads, and admin roles.
• Business: $12/user/month (billed annually) or $15/user/month (billed monthly) – Includes everything in Basic, plus unlimited teams, private teams, guest accounts, Linear Insights, and advanced integrations like Google Sheets .

2. ClickUp 

ClickUp positions itself as the “everything app” for modern work management—bringing together tasks, docs, goals, whiteboards, and conversations under one unified interface. It’s built to help teams move faster by eliminating tool sprawl, streamlining collaboration, and delivering deep visibility into every layer of work.

Why it’s better than Jira

ClickUp addresses several of the pain points that have led users to seek alternatives to Jira. While Jira excels in technical depth, ClickUp wins with accessibility and breadth. It offers a more intuitive UI with faster setup. You get all-in-one functionality, including docs, whiteboards, sprints, approvals, OKRs, without third-party tools. ClickUp offers true cross-functional collaboration thus, devs, marketers, and ops can work in one system without silos. These improvements make it not just a tool similar to Jira, but a genuine upgrade in simplicity and inclusiveness.

Key features of ClickUp

• Customizable views: Switch between Kanban, Gantt, Timeline, Calendar, and List views depending on team preference and project complexity.
• Agile development toolkit: Manage sprints, track burndown charts, and maintain backlogs efficiently—ideal for dev teams.
• Docs and wikis: Create and collaborate on internal documentation directly within the platform.
• Whiteboards and brainstorming: Visualize ideas and workflows in real-time with interactive whiteboards.
• Goals and OKRs: Set, track, and align team objectives using built-in goal-setting tools.
• Form-based task intake: Collect work requests through customizable forms with built-in approval flows.
• Time tracking and workload management: Monitor how time is spent and manage resource allocation without needing third-party tools.
• Automation engine: Streamline repetitive tasks using customizable automation with conditional logic.
• Advanced analytics and reporting: Get actionable insights on team productivity, project status, and bottlenecks.
• Built-in AI assistant: Generate task summaries, write updates, and optimize work plans using native AI tools.
• Extensive integrations: Seamlessly connects with 1,000+ tools like GitHub, Salesforce, Slack, Figma, Zendesk, HubSpot, and even Jira itself.

Best suited for

ClickUp is best for teams looking for a flexible yet comprehensive alternative to Jira. It fits agile product teams wanting better collaboration with non-tech departments. It is also beneficial for startups and SMBs scaling fast, without an IT-heavy setup. Whether you’re seeking free Jira alternatives or a feature-rich upgrade, ClickUp scales across team sizes and functions.

Pricing

ClickUp’s pricing undercuts Jira at scale, making it one of the most cost-effective Jira competitors in the market—especially when accounting for built-in features other tools charge extra for.

• Free Forever – Great for individuals and small teams.
• Unlimited – $7/user/month (billed annually).
• Business – $12/user/month (billed annually).
• Enterprise – Custom pricing with advanced security and control.

3. Asana

Asana is a widely trusted Jira alternative known for its clarity, simplicity, and strong cross-functional team alignment. With a clean interface and flexible workflows, Asana helps teams manage projects, track tasks, and hit deadlines without drowning in complexity. From startups to enterprises, it’s favored for its intuitive UX and visual task management.

Why it’s better than Jira

Asana focuses on ease of use, offering a significantly lower learning curve compared to Jira.

• Clear and minimal UI, great for cross-functional and non-technical users.
• Task dependencies and timelines are easier to configure.
• Native workflow automation without scripting.
• Built-in AI capabilities to draft updates, assign tasks, and summarize meetings.
• Supports collaborative planning better for hybrid teams.

This makes it a strong alternative to Jira, especially where quick onboarding and visual clarity matter.

Key features of Asana

• Timeline and Gantt Views: Plan projects visually with drag-and-drop simplicity.
• Workload Management: Balance team capacity and optimize resources.
• Goals and Milestones: Connect everyday work with larger objectives.
• AI Work Assistant: Suggests next steps, generates project briefs, and summarizes conversations. 
• Forms and Automation: Streamlined intake and rule-based workflows.
• Advanced Search and Reporting: Gain real-time insights on team performance. 
• Robust Integrations: Works seamlessly with Slack, Google Workspace, Zoom, Salesforce, GitHub, and more. 

Best suited for

Perfect for marketing, operations, and cross-functional product teams that want tools similar to Jira but without technical complexity.

Pricing

• Basic (Free) – Ideal for individuals and small teams
• Premium: $10.99/user/month
• Business: $24.99/user/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

With powerful features wrapped in an elegant UI, Asana is among the best Jira alternatives for 2025.

4. GitLab

GitLab is a comprehensive DevSecOps platform that integrates source control, CI/CD, security, and project management into a single application. Its all-in-one approach streamlines software delivery, reduces tool sprawl, and enhances collaboration across development, security, and operations teams. With the introduction of GitLab Duo, its AI-powered assistant, GitLab offers intelligent code suggestions, automated issue summaries, and enhanced security scanning, making it a strong contender among Jira alternatives.

Why it’s better than Jira

GitLab stands out from Jira with its all-in-one DevOps platform that combines code repositories, CI/CD, project tracking, and security tools—eliminating the need for multiple integrations. It reduces context switching, streamlines workflows, and offers AI-powered features through GitLab Duo to accelerate coding and task automation. Unlike most Jira alternatives, GitLab also supports self-hosted AI and includes built-in security and Agile tools like epics, sprints, and milestones—making it a future-ready solution for fast-paced DevOps teams.

Key features

• Integrated CI/CD Pipelines: Automate testing and deployment processes within the same platform.
• Project Management Tools: Utilize issue tracking, boards, and roadmaps to manage projects effectively.
• AI-Powered Assistance: Leverage GitLab Duo for intelligent code completion and issue summarization.
• Security and Compliance: Implement security testing and compliance checks throughout the development lifecycle.
• Customizable Workflows: Adapt workflows to fit team needs with customizable issue boards and automation rules.

Best suited for

Ideal for development teams seeking an integrated platform that combines source control, CI/CD, and project management. Particularly beneficial for organizations with strict compliance requirements or those looking to leverage AI to enhance development workflows.

Pricing

• Free Tier: Basic features suitable for small teams and individual developers.
• Premium: $29/user/month, offering advanced CI/CD, project management, and support features.
• Ultimate: $99/user/month, including comprehensive security, compliance, and portfolio management tools.

GitLab’s tiered pricing allows teams to scale their usage based on needs, making it a flexible Jira alternative for various organizational sizes.

5. YouTrack

YouTrack by JetBrains is a developer-focused issue tracker and project management tool built for agile teams. It supports both Scrum and Kanban methodologies, offers customizable workflows, and includes features like backlog management, sprint planning, and release tracking. Its latest UI improvements, such as a left-pane navigation and faster load times, make it more intuitive than ever. YouTrack is designed to streamline software development processes without the steep learning curve of Jira.

Why it’s better than Jira

YouTrack stands out as a Jira alternative for teams that want simplicity without compromising on capability. Unlike Jira’s often cluttered UI and heavy configuration overhead, YouTrack offers a clean, intuitive interface with a faster onboarding experience. Its workflow editor requires no complex scripting, making it easier for teams to customize processes without needing admin-level expertise. Features like backlog grooming, knowledge base, and time tracking are built into the platform by default—no need for additional plugins. For developer teams especially, YouTrack delivers a lightweight yet robust experience, cutting out the bloated workflows that often lead to Jira fatigue. The availability of a free plan and flexible self-hosting options also makes YouTrack a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

Key features

• Agile boards (Kanban & Scrum): Easily manage tasks and sprints with customizable Kanban and Scrum boards to match your team’s workflow.
• Custom workflows without coding: Tailor workflows to your team’s needs with a simple drag-and-drop editor, no coding required.
• Issue time tracking: Track time spent on issues to enhance productivity and streamline project reporting.
• Backlog and sprint management: Organize tasks and prioritize them efficiently for smooth sprint planning and backlog grooming.
• AI-powered smart search and summaries: Quickly find and summarize issues with YouTrack’s intelligent search capabilities powered by AI.
• Knowledge base for internal documentation: Create and share internal knowledge easily with a built-in knowledge base for team documentation.
• Keyboard-centric navigation for power users: Navigate tasks and projects faster using keyboard shortcuts for maximum efficiency.
• Reports, Gantt charts, and burndown tracking: Generate detailed reports, visualize project timelines with Gantt charts, and track progress with burndown charts.
• REST API & extensive automation support: Leverage YouTrack’s REST API and powerful automation features to integrate with other tools and streamline workflows.

Best suited for

• Agile development teams
• Engineering-led organizations
• Teams that prioritize speed and dev-oriented workflows

Pricing

• Free for up to 10 users
• Paid plans start at $4.40/user/month
• Self-hosted option available for enterprise control

6. GanttPRO

GanttPRO is a comprehensive project management tool that is often considered a robust Jira alternative. The software is based on a user-friendly Gantt chart, which enables teams to streamline their project planning and management processes.

It helps to improve task coordination, time tracking, and teamwork. GanttPRO users also get advanced resource management and budget control features. Its powerful collaboration capabilities allow for communicating and sharing projects with all stakeholders. Therefore, the program is recognized among professionals in many spheres.

Why it’s better than Jira

GanttPRO looks better than Jira because of its simple and clear planning on a visually appealing diagram. This software is quicker to learn. It intuitively shows deadlines, dependencies, and team workload, while Jira is overloaded with features that are unnecessary for classic planning.

The software is clear for any project participant, even if they are not familiar with Agile methodologies. Creating tasks, assigning performers, and managing work assets are implemented as simply as possible. It saves time on training and setup. Therefore, any team can start working almost immediately. 

In addition, GanttPRO looks great not only for IT, but also for marketing, construction, education, personal planning, and more.

Key features of GanttPRO

• Gantt chart planning: An online diagram professionally visualizes projects, tasks, deadlines, dependencies, milestones, critical paths, and more. 
• Portfolio management: GanttPRO allows for the simultaneous management of multiple projects. 
• Additional project views: GanttPRO users can apply board, list, calendar, and dashboard views for effective project management.
• Advanced task hierarchy: The tool helps to structure project tasks and subtasks in seconds using a handy work breakdown structure.
• Resource management: GanttPRO enables smart resource allocation and detailed workload management within a project and at the account level.
• Robust collaboration: The software comes with a set of powerful collaboration features for in-office and remote teams (comments, mentions, notifications, and file sharing).

Best suited for

Perfectly suits project managers and teams who want to visualize the overall view of their projects and every little detail on a powerful Gantt chart.

Pricing

• Core: starts at $7 user/month (billed annually).
• Advanced: starts at $10 user/month (billed annually).
• Business: starts at $17 user/month (billed annually).
• Enterprise: custom pricing.

A free 14-day trial is also available.

How does a UEM support agile project management solutions

The listed agile project management platforms help teams manage tasks, raise tickets, collaborate in real time, and deliver faster. But efficient project execution also depends on the environment in which these tools operate, namely, the devices, networks, and endpoints that teams use every day. That’s where Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) steps in.

A UEM platform simplifies and secures endpoint management. It ensures that every endpoint, including corporate laptops, employee smartphones, or remote workstation is compliant, secure, and equipped with the right configurations and apps. 

By automating device provisioning, enforcing access policies, and protecting data in transit and at rest, UEM solutions create a secure foundation for productive project work.

What makes this even more impactful is the integration between UEMs and many agile tools. These integrations allow organizations to:

• Automate app deployment: Push project management apps to endpoints during onboarding or updates.
• Enforce access control: Ensure only authorized users and devices can access project tools and repositories.
• Secure data: Apply encryption, DLP policies, and remote wipe to safeguard project-critical data.
• Improve mobility: Enable secure use of project tools on mobile devices for field or remote teams.
• Track compliance: Maintain visibility into device health, policy enforcement, and software usage.

Together, UEM and agile project management tools form a complementary ecosystem where teams can move fast and IT can stay in control.

Why Scalefusion UEM is the right fit for modern enterprise teams

Modern teams demand tools that are fast, intuitive, and deeply integrated across their digital workflows. Scalefusion UEM complements agile project management platforms by securing the devices and data these tools rely on.

From zero-touch provisioning and remote device control to enforcing compliance and automating app rollouts, Scalefusion makes endpoint management effortless. Its intuitive dashboard minimizes IT complexity, while deep integrations with productivity and collaboration tools ensure teams stay focused, without worrying about access risks or device-level disruptions.

Whether you’re managing a hybrid workforce, securing remote devices, or enabling mobile productivity, Scalefusion aligns perfectly with the needs of fast-moving, project-led organizations.

Explore Scalefusion UEM to strengthen your project execution environment, enhance security, and enable seamless collaboration—without compromise.