Backlog VS Manuscript

Compare Backlog VS Manuscript and see what are their differences

Rating: 4.0 · 1 review
Pricing: Freemium Free trial $35 / Monthly (For growing teams, up to 30 users, 5 projects, 1 GB storage.)

Rating: 0 reviews
Pricing: Open source

Kanera

Plan work on flexible boards, connect projects through Global Work and Portfolio, and keep reporting, notes, automation, API, and AI access together. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Backlog seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 3 times since March 2021.

social mentions: 3 vs 0
Project Management popularity: 70% vs 30%
alternatives listed: 240+ vs 134

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

	Backlog	Manuscript
Website	nulab.com	manuscript.com
Pricing	Freemium Free trial $35 / Monthly (For growing teams, up to 30 users, 5 projects, 1 GB storage.) Official pricing	Open source
Company	Startup from Japan · 100 - 249 employees · 2004	—
Listed in	Project Management Task Management Bug Tracking Issue Tracking Bug And Issue Tracking Kanban Boards Gantt Charts Team Collaboration Work Management Code Collaboration Software Development Kanban +9	Project Management Task Management Productivity Software Development +1

About Backlog and Manuscript

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Backlog

Manuscript

Built for teams of all sizes, it helps you manage sprints, client projects, and internal requests without the clutter of disconnected tools. Visualize work with Kanban boards or Gantt charts, break down complex projects with subtasks, and customize task fields to fit your team’s workflow....

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Backlog 7 features

Manuscript 5 features

Comprehensive Project Management
Backlog provides a wide range of project management features including task tracking, Gantt charts, and burndown charts which help teams to plan, execute, and monitor their projects efficiently.
Integrated Bug Tracking
The platform includes robust bug tracking tools that allow for detailed tracking, reporting, and resolution of software bugs which is crucial for development teams.
Collaboration Tools
Backlog offers several collaboration features such as wikis, file sharing, and comment threads to facilitate team communication and knowledge sharing.
Customizable Workflow
Users can customize workflows to reflect their team's processes, which makes the tool adaptable to different project management styles.
Multiple Integrations
Backlog integrates with numerous other tools including Git, SVN, and Slack, allowing teams to streamline their workflow and use their preferred tools.
User-Friendly Interface
The platform offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
Mobile Application
Backlog offers a mobile application for both iOS and Android, allowing team members to stay updated and manage tasks on the go.

User-friendly Interface
Manuscript features a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to easily navigate through its functionalities.
Comprehensive Project Management
The platform offers a wide array of project management tools that facilitate task tracking, collaboration, and reporting.
Customizable Workflows
Manuscript offers options to tailor workflows according to specific project needs, helping teams maintain their unique operational structure.
Integration Capabilities
It integrates smoothly with various third-party applications, enabling seamless workflows across different tools.
Strong Support Community
Users have access to an active support community and resources, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and optimizing use.

Possible disadvantages

Steep Learning Curve
New users may find it challenging initially to utilize all the features due to the complexity of the platform.
Pricing
The subscription cost may be high compared to some of the other project management tools available in the market.
Feature Overload
Some users might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of features, leading to potential underutilization of the platform.
Mobile Application Limitations
The mobile application might not offer all the functionalities that are available on the desktop version.
Data Localization
There may be limited options for data localization, which could pose compliance issues for some international users.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Backlog

Manuscript

Overall verdict

Backlog is considered a good choice for teams and organizations, especially those that require a balanced mix of collaboration and project management features. It is particularly useful for teams that need an integrated approach to managing tasks and tracking project progress.

Why this product is good

Backlog (backlog.com) is a project management and collaboration tool that's praised for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and ability to seamlessly integrate with other tools. It offers functionalities like task management, bug tracking, version control, and file sharing, which make it versatile for teams looking to streamline their workflows. The platform is also visually intuitive, which helps in keeping all team members on the same page.

Recommended for

Backlog is recommended for software development teams, marketing teams, and any organization looking for a tool that supports collaborative work while providing comprehensive project management features. It's particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses or teams within larger organizations that need customizable workflows and have a need for integrated version control.

No analysis of Manuscript yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Backlog 4 videos + Add

Manuscript 3 videos + Add

The Ultimate Jira Alternative? Unlimited Users for $1000/year!

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100

Backlog

Manuscript

70% 70%

Project Management

30% 30%

0% 0%

Productivity

100% 100%

67% 67%

Task Management

33% 33%

100% 100%

Work Management

0% 0%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Backlog and Manuscript.

What makes your product unique?

Backlog's answer

Backlog combines project management with issue tracking and version control in one simple, intuitive platform. Unlike tools that focus on just tasks or just code, Backlog bridges the gap between teams and developers, making collaboration seamless for everyone.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Backlog's answer

Backlog is affordable, built for all skill levels, and designed to be powerful without being overwhelming. Teams can manage projects, track bugs, review code, and collaborate visually (with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and wikis) all in one place. It’s easier to get started with than many enterprise tools, but it still scales to handle complex projects.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Backlog's answer

Our core audience includes software development teams, IT departments, and project managers who need both project visibility and technical depth. At the same time, marketing, design, and business teams also rely on Backlog to stay connected with developers in a shared workspace.

What's the story behind your product?

Backlog's answer

Backlog was created by Nulab, a Japan-based software company, to make teamwork easier and more enjoyable. We needed a tool where developers and non-developers could work together without friction. Since its launch, Backlog has grown into a global product that helps thousands of teams deliver projects more efficiently.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Backlog's answer

Backlog is trusted by teams at Buzzfeed, Rakuten, and SoftBank, along with thousands of startups, agencies, and enterprises worldwide. Whether it’s a small consultancy or a large global brand, Backlog helps teams of all sizes manage projects with clarity and collaboration.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Backlog's answer

Backlog's backend is written using the programming language Scala. This robust foundation helps Backlog run smoothly, even when managing large projects or complex tasks.

User comments

Share your experience with using Backlog and Manuscript. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Backlog 4.0 · 1 review

Manuscript no reviews yet

6 Best Jira Alternatives | 25+ Personally Tested Apps (2026)
thebusinessdive.com · Jan 2026

My top alternative to Jira is Backlog by Nulab. It’s a standout platform for teams that want to unify project planning, issue tracking, and code management—all in one place. By combining Gantt charts, Kanban boards,...
Good system
SaaSHub review

· May 2020

I'm on the free plan, all the basic options to run a project are there and the mail notification/comment system works very well. The user interface is good. My only complaint is that you cannot have more than one...
12 Best JIRA Alternatives in 2019
www.guru99.com · Jun 2019

Backlog is an all-in-one project management tool built for developers. It's a popular alternative to Jira, with a much simpler and intuitive interface. Development teams use Backlog to work with other teams for...

We have no reviews of Manuscript yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Backlog 3 mentions

Manuscript 0 mentions

Defect Management Tools List for 2025 (Free, Paid, & Open Source)
18. Backlog (Paid) Backlog is a project management and bug-tracking tool designed for teams looking for a streamlined approach to defect management. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
Free for dev - list of software (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, etc.)
Backlog — Everything your team needs to release great projects in one platform. Free plan offers 1 Project with 10 users & 100MB storage. - Source: dev.to / about 5 years ago
Sharing Dev's Useful Sites & Tools that I applied
Backlog (Project Management Tool) In my work, every day I have to use this software which is intended for team project management. If you have a team, try it once. It has a lot of features. Https://backlog.com/. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago

Tracking Manuscript since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Backlog and Manuscript

When comparing Backlog and Manuscript, you can also consider the following products.

Jira
The #1 software development tool used by agile teams. Jira Software is built for every member of your software team to plan, track, and release great software.

Compare Jira to Backlog or Manuscript:

Jira vs Backlog Jira vs Manuscript
Asana
Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

Compare Asana to Backlog or Manuscript:

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monday.com
The most intuitive platform to manage projects and teamwork

Compare monday.com to Backlog or Manuscript:

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Trello
Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

Compare Trello to Backlog or Manuscript:

Trello vs Backlog Trello vs Manuscript
Wrike
Wrike is a flexible, scalable, and easy-to-use collaborative work management software that helps high-performance teams organize and accomplish their work. Try it now.

Compare Wrike to Backlog or Manuscript:

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Linear
Streamlined issue tracking for software teams

Compare Linear to Backlog or Manuscript:

Linear vs Backlog Linear vs Manuscript