Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Jira VS Backlog

Compare Jira VS Backlog and see what are their differences

Jira logo 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.

Backlog logo Backlog

Built for teams that move fast โ€” Backlog is the all-in-one project management solution with exactly what you need, and nothing you donโ€™t.
Visit Website
  • Jira Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09
  • Backlog Kanban Board
    Kanban Board //
    2025-08-25
  • Backlog Gantt Chart
    Gantt Chart //
    2025-08-25
  • Backlog Git
    Git //
    2025-08-25
  • Backlog Burndown Chart
    Burndown Chart //
    2025-08-25
  • Backlog Bug Tracking
    Bug Tracking //
    2025-08-25

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 teamโ€™s workflow. Built-in Git and SVN support let developers manage code right alongside their tasks, while wikis, file sharing, and real-time notifications keep everyone on the same page.

Whether youโ€™re replacing legacy tools or streamlining your tech stack, Backlog is quick to roll out, easy to use, and flexible enough to support cross-functional collaboration at any scale.

Jira

$ Details
paid Free Trial $7.0 / Monthly (Above 10 Users)
Release Date
-

Backlog

Website
nulab.com
$ Details
freemium $35.0 / Monthly (For growing teams, up to 30 users, 5 projects, 1 GB storage.)
Release Date
2004 January
Startup details
Country
Japan
City
Fukuoka
Founder(s)
Masanori Hashimoto, Shinsuke Tabata
Employees
100 - 249

Jira features and specs

  • Robust Feature Set
    Jira offers a comprehensive suite of tools for project management, including issue tracking, agile reporting, and workflow automation, which can handle both small and large projects effectively.
  • Customizability
    Organizations can customize Jira extensively, tailoring workflows, fields, and issues to meet their specific requirements, which enhances productivity and alignment with business processes.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Jira integrates seamlessly with other Atlassian products like Confluence, Bitbucket, and more, as well as third-party tools such as GitHub and Slack, ensuring a connected and efficient workflow.
  • Agile Methodologies Support
    With built-in support for Scrum, Kanban, and other agile frameworks, Jira helps teams to manage their agile processes efficiently, offering features like sprint planning, backlog grooming, and burndown charts.
  • Strong Community and Support
    Jira has a large, active user community and extensive documentation, along with professional support options, which can be invaluable in troubleshooting and optimizing its use.
  • Comprehensive Task Management
    Jira Core provides a robust set of features for managing tasks and projects, including customizable workflows, forms, and dashboards, which are beneficial for tracking progress and enhancing productivity.
  • Integration with Other Atlassian Products
    It integrates seamlessly with other Atlassian tools like Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello, enabling streamlined collaboration and improved visibility across teams.
  • Customizable and Flexible
    Jira Core allows a high degree of customization for workflows, task types, and notifications, making it adaptable to various business processes and team needs.
  • Scalability
    It supports scalability, which makes it suitable for both small-scale teams and large enterprises, evolving as the organization grows.
  • Strong Reporting Capabilities
    The software offers comprehensive reporting tools to gain insights into project progress and team performance, helping in making informed decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Jira

  • Complexity
    Due to its extensive feature set and customizability, Jira can be overly complex for new users or small teams, requiring a steep learning curve and potentially making simple tasks time-consuming.
  • Cost
    While Jira provides robust features, it comes at a cost. Subscription fees can be high, especially for larger teams or organizations requiring advanced capabilities.
  • Performance Issues
    On occasion, users might experience performance issues, particularly with large datasets, causing slowness and reduced efficiency in managing tasks.
  • Overhead
    Maintaining and configuring Jira can require significant administrative overhead, needing dedicated resources to manage its setup, customization, and updates.
  • User Interface Complexity
    While powerful, Jira's user interface can be overwhelming and cluttered, which may hinder usability and speed for those not already familiar with the platform.
  • Complexity for New Users
    Jira Core's wide range of features and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • High Configuration Overheads
    Setting up and configuring the software to fit specific project needs can be time-consuming, especially for teams without dedicated administrative resources.
  • Cost Considerations
    For smaller teams or organizations with limited budgets, the costs associated with Jira Core licenses and potential add-ons might be a constraint.
  • Limited by Internet Connectivity
    As a primarily cloud-based solution, its functionality can suffer in environments with poor or inconsistent internet connectivity.

Backlog features and specs

  • 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.

Analysis of Jira

Overall verdict

  • Jira is generally considered a strong choice for organizations seeking a comprehensive and flexible project management tool, especially those in software development. However, it can be complex and may have a steep learning curve for new users, which can be a drawback for some teams.

Why this product is good

  • Jira by Atlassian is highly regarded due to its robust set of features tailored for software development and project management. It offers extensive customization options, effective tracking capabilities, and seamless integration with other tools, particularly within the Atlassian suite. Its flexibility allows teams to adapt workflows to suit their processes, making it a versatile option for various project management needs.

Recommended for

    Jira is recommended for software development teams, agile project management enthusiasts, companies that require detailed workflow customization, and organizations already using other Atlassian products seeking seamless integration.

Analysis of Backlog

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.

Jira videos

Jira Core Walkthrough and Review

More videos:

  • Review - (2018) The NEW Jira Begins Now - Modern Software Development
  • Review - JIRA Core: Business Team Use Cases
  • Demo - JIRA in a Nutshell demo video
  • Review - (Re)Discover JIRA Core: Tricks That Make a BIG Difference - Atlassian Summit 2016

Backlog videos

Manage projects with Backlog

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Jira and Backlog)
Project Management
85 85%
15% 15
Task Management
89 89%
11% 11
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Software Development
0 0%
100% 100

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing Jira and Backlog.

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. Itโ€™s easier to get started with than many enterprise tools, but it still scales to handle complex projects.

How would you describe your primary audience?

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 itโ€™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 Jira and Backlog. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Jira and Backlog

Jira Reviews

  1. Luminous Valentine
    my experience

    Jira may be extremely sluggish and require a large amount of memory on the client side.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Affordable price|Affordable
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Super simple|Scalable

10 Best Canny Alternatives and Competitors in 2025
Jira is an issue-tracking tool that flags and tracks bugs, creates product roadmaps, and collects user insights. Beloved by SaaS companies and startups, itโ€™s a great tool for gathering and analyzing what your customers say about your products. Plus, it highlights areas for improvement to target pressing issues instantly. โœ๏ธ
Source: clickup.com
25 Best Asana Alternatives & Competitors for Project Management in 2024
Jira is a bug-tracking and project software. Compared to Asana, itโ€™s geared towards agile teams and technical power users. With advanced reporting options, including user workload, average issue age, and recently created issues, project managers can make informed decisions to plan smarter sprints.
Source: clickup.com
The 10 best Asana alternatives in 2024
Unlike Asana, Jira was built specifically for teams that use Scrum and Agile workflows. When you sign up, you'll answer a few questions about your preferred methodologies, project types, and deadlines. Then, Jira will suggest a project template and methodology to fit your team's needs.
Source: zapier.com
16 Best Asana Alternatives of 2024 (Free + Paid)
Jira is a software product of Atlassian and is often used for tracking issues in software development. But Jira has grown to be used outside of the IT segment for tracking a range of issues, tasks and work items. What it might lack in features is made up on the Atlassian Marketplace where many plugins can be purchased to extend the toolโ€™s features.
The Ultimate List of 20 Best AI Work Management Tools
Atlassian Intelligence (preregistration): Jira leverages artificial intelligence to automate various tasks, including summarizing meeting minutes, answering questions, converting natural language queries into JQL or SQL, and offering instant assistance through virtual agents in Slack and Microsoft Teams, accelerating work and enhancing user experience.
Source: ppm.express

Backlog Reviews

  1. dolcemediterranea
    Good system

    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 person assigned to a task. It's their philosophy and they say that if you want to have more assignees you should either duplicate the task or create subtask (only for paid plans).

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Jira, Trello
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    User friendly interface|Free basic plan
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Cannot have more people assigned to a task

12 Best JIRA Alternatives in 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 enhanced team collaboration and high-quality project delivery.
Source: www.guru99.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Backlog seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Jira mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Jira yet. Tracking of Jira recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Backlog mentions (3)

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Basecamp - A simple and elegant project management system.

ClickUp - ClickUp's #1 rated productivity software is making more productive projects with a beautifully designed and intuitive platform.