Jira Alternatives
6 Tools Like Jira
Quick answer: Top Jira alternatives include Linear, GitHub Projects and YouTrack. For open source, look at Plane. Linear and GitHub Projects are free or have free plans.
Jira is Atlassian’s issue and project tracker for software teams.
Developers often look for Jira alternatives because it can feel slow and heavy, with a lot of configuration for small teams.
- 6 alternatives
- 5 with a free plan
- 1 open source
- 1 self-hostable
The best Jira alternatives
#1Linear
linear.app
A fast, keyboard-first issue tracker with cycles and roadmaps.
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In Linear’s own words: “Purpose-built for planning and building products with AI agents.”
Linear has a free plan.
People switching from Trello, Asana, ClickUp and Jira often consider Linear.
#2GitHub Projects
github.com
Issues and project boards right next to your code.
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In GitHub Projects’s own words: “Give your developers flexible features for project management that adapts to any team, project, and workflow—all alongside your code.”
GitHub Projects has a free plan.
People switching from Jira often consider GitHub Projects.
#3YouTrack
jetbrains.com
JetBrains’ issue tracker with agile boards and a knowledge base.
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In YouTrack’s own words: “Everything in one place. Track tasks, manage projects, maintain a knowledge base, support your customers, collaborate, and deliver great products. Designed with every member of your team in mind. Free for teams of up to 10. In our cloud or on your server.”
YouTrack has a free plan.
People switching from Jira often consider YouTrack.
#4Shortcut
shortcut.com
Project management for software teams that sits between Jira and Linear.
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In Shortcut’s own words: “Shortcut is a fast, lightweight and enjoyable project management platform where software teams and their AI agents plan, build, and ship together.”
Shortcut has a free plan.
People switching from Jira often consider Shortcut.
#5Plane
plane.so
An open-source project and issue tracker you can self-host.
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In Plane’s own words: “Project management for teams and AI agents. Plan, track, and ship with Projects, Wiki, and AI. Available on cloud, self-hosted, and air-gapped.”
Plane is open source and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Jira often consider Plane.
#6ClickUp
clickup.com
Flexible tasks and sprints for mixed technical and non-technical teams.
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In ClickUp’s own words: “Our mission is to make the world more productive. To do this, we built the everything app for work - Tasks, Docs, Goals, and Chat.”
ClickUp has a free plan.
People switching from Trello, Asana, Monday.com, Jira and Microsoft Project often consider ClickUp, along with 3 other tools.
Listed for information; LaunchStall isn’t affiliated with these companies. Features and plans change — check each site for current details.
How these Jira alternatives compare
| Tool | Best for | Where it beats Jira | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear | Fast-moving product teams | Very fast and opinionated, with almost no admin. | Less customisable for complex enterprise workflows. |
| GitHub Projects | Teams who live on GitHub | Right next to your code, issues and pull requests. | Lighter reporting and fewer workflow controls. |
| YouTrack | Teams wanting Jira-level depth with more flexibility | Powerful search and workflows from JetBrains, with a self-hosted option. | A smaller ecosystem. |
| Shortcut | Mid-sized software teams | A simpler structure that still handles planning across teams. | A smaller integration ecosystem than Jira. |
| Plane | Self-hosted issue tracking | Open source, modern and self-hostable. | Younger, with fewer enterprise features. |
| ClickUp | Teams beyond engineering | Works across departments with docs and many views. | Less focused on software workflows. |
Which should you choose?
- You want speed and little admin: Linear
- Your work is already on GitHub: GitHub Projects
- You must self-host: Plane or YouTrack
Our editorial summary of each tool’s focus, written November 2026. Tools change quickly, so check the details on each site.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best Jira alternatives?
Popular Jira alternatives include Linear, GitHub Projects and YouTrack. The best choice depends on whether you need a free plan, open-source software or specific features.
Is there a free alternative to Jira?
Yes. Linear, GitHub Projects, YouTrack and Shortcut are free or have free plans.
Is there an open-source alternative to Jira?
Yes — Plane is open source.
Why do people look for Jira alternatives?
Developers often look for Jira alternatives because it can feel slow and heavy, with a lot of configuration for small teams.
More project management alternatives
- Trello alternatives7 alternatives
- Asana alternatives7 alternatives
- Monday.com alternatives6 alternatives
- ClickUp alternatives6 alternatives
- Airtable alternatives7 alternatives
- Todoist alternatives6 alternatives
- Miro alternatives6 alternatives
- Microsoft Project alternatives8 alternatives
- Microsoft Planner alternatives6 alternatives
- Wrike alternatives7 alternatives
- Basecamp alternatives6 alternatives
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