Software Alternatives & Startups

Zed VS Backlog

Compare Zed VS Backlog and see what are their differences

Zed

Zed is a high-performance, multiplayer code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Backlog

Built for teams that move fast — Backlog is the all-in-one project management solution with exactly what you need, and nothing you don’t.

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

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Zed seems to be a lot more popular than Backlog. While we know about 103 links to Zed, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Backlog.

social mentions
103 vs 3
Developer Tools popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Zed
Backlog
Website zed.dev nulab.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium Free trial $35 / Monthly (For growing teams, up to 30 users, 5 projects, 1 GB storage.) Official pricing
Company — Startup from Japan · 100 - 249 employees · 2004
Listed in

About Zed and Backlog

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Zed
Backlog

No description of Zed yet.

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....

Read more about Backlog

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Zed 5 features
Backlog 7 features
  • Collaborative Editing
    Zed offers real-time collaborative editing features, allowing multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously, enhancing team productivity and communication.
  • Minimalist Interface
    The interface is designed to be distraction-free and minimalist, which helps developers focus on coding without unnecessary clutter and distractions.
  • Speed and Performance
    Zed is built with performance in mind, offering fast loading times and a smooth user experience, making coding more efficient.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Zed is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide array of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Innovative Features
    Zed includes several innovative features such as advanced search and navigation capabilities, which can significantly enhance the coding experience.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Extensions
    Compared to more established editors like VS Code, Zed currently has a more limited library of extensions and plugins, which might restrict customization and functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    New users coming from other development environments may face a learning curve due to Zed's unique interface and features.
  • Early Development
    As a relatively new tool, Zed may still be in its early stages of development, with potential bugs and missing features that could affect stability and user experience.
  • Community Size
    The community and user base for Zed is still growing, which can mean less community support, tutorials, and shared resources compared to more mature editors.
  • 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.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    For larger teams or to access more advanced features, Backlog can become expensive compared to some other project management tools that offer similar functionalities for a lower price.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Backlog has limited features and user capacity, which may not suffice for larger or more complex projects.
  • Learning Curve
    Given its wide array of features, new users might experience a learning curve and require some time to become fully proficient in using the tool.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Backlog offers customizable workflows, other aspects such as the user interface or specific features may have limited customization options.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, especially when handling very large projects or extensive data, which could impact productivity.

Analysis

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

Zed
Backlog

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Zed is considered a good code editor by many developers.

Why this product is good

  • Zed offers a modern and efficient code editing experience with features such as real-time collaboration, a clean interface, and high performance. It is built to be fast and responsive, making it suitable for developers who value speed in their editing tools.

Recommended for

    Developers looking for a collaborative and fast code editor with a modern interface would benefit from using Zed. It is especially suited for teams that require real-time collaboration capabilities.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Zed 2 videos + Add
Backlog 4 videos + Add

Zed “kills” VSCode

More videos

  • - Zed - The 'Visual Studio Code Killer' - Now on Linux!

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

More videos

  • - How to customize your workflow in Backlog
  • - Getting started with Backlog
  • - Manage projects with Backlog

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
Zed
Backlog
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Zed 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. 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 Zed and Backlog. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

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

Zed no reviews yet
Backlog 4.0 · 1 review

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

  • 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...

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Zed 103 mentions
Backlog 3 mentions
  • Students Can Get Zed Pro Free for 1 Year
    If you haven't heard of Zed, it's a free, open-source code editor built in Rust. It's designed to be fast, lightweight, and collaborative, with AI features built into the development environment. - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • Discord is ditching Electron and its new app uses less RAM
    Which I believe GPUI is the same framework that Zed (the editor)[0] is using [0]: http://zed.dev/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 days ago
  • Native edges: principles for native apps with a shared core
    For desktop outside macOS, we'd go with GPUI, the UI framework the Zed team built for their editor. GPUI draws its own UI on the GPU instead of using the operating system's toolkit, compiles to a native binary, and integrates with each... - Source: dev.to / 8 days ago

View more

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

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