Jira
7.3/10Atlassian's work and issue-tracking platform for planning, tracking, and shipping projects, with scrum and kanban boards built mainly for software and technical teams.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
Jira is Atlassian's project and issue-tracking tool. It launched in 2002 as a bug tracker for software developers. Teams use it to break work into issues, run sprints on scrum or kanban boards, and design custom workflows, fields, and permissions. It also gives agile reports, multiple project views, and built-in time logging. Development teams get a lot from its links to source control tools such as Git and GitHub, and it connects tightly with Confluence and other Atlassian products. A large Atlassian Marketplace of apps fills gaps such as advanced reporting, CRM, and helpdesk features. Jira is priced per user. The Free plan covers up to 10 users and 2 GB of storage. Standard adds project roles, advanced permissions, and 250 GB of storage. Premium adds unlimited storage, a sandbox, admin insights, 24/7 support, and a 99.9% uptime SLA. Enterprise is sold by quote on annual billing. A self-hosted Data Center edition is also available for large organizations. Independent trackers reported several cloud price changes during 2026, so buyers should confirm current rates on Atlassian's site. Jira fits engineering, IT, and product teams in startups through large enterprises. Its main drawback is complexity. Reviewers often describe a steep learning curve and an overwhelming interface for non-technical staff. They also report slow loading on large boards, and paid Marketplace apps can raise the total cost.
Our Rating
Who Jira is best for
Good fit
It was built for software teams, with sprints and GitHub and Git integration.
Plans support very large user counts and add SLAs, a sandbox, advanced security controls, and a self-hosted Data Center option.
The vendor names IT teams as a fit, and a self-hosted Data Center edition is available.
- Mid-Market8/10
The Standard and Premium plans add advanced permissions and admin features that growing technical organizations need.
Timelines and agile planning serve product teams.
It suits software companies that ship products.
Software startups can use the free plan for up to 10 users and get agile boards and sprints from the start.
Less suited
Cloud boards and Confluence links support distributed work.
It is affordable, but reviewers say non-technical small teams struggle with its complexity.
Reviewers describe it as built for technical users, and simpler tools often suit marketing work better.
- Customer Support Teams3/10
Helpdesk features need Marketplace apps.
CRM features need paid Marketplace apps.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The free plan supports up to 10 users and includes scrum and kanban boards.
- Reviewers highlight deep customization of workflows, boards, and fields.
- Sprint and agile management are strong, and Jira integrates with GitHub and Git tools.
- It links closely with Confluence and other Atlassian products, so tickets can be referenced across those apps.
- Time tracking is built into every plan, including Free.
Cons
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and an interface that overwhelms non-technical users.
- Users report slow issue loading and laggy boards in large deployments.
- Paid Marketplace apps can add hidden costs for reporting, CRM, and helpdesk needs.
- The free plan is limited to 100 emails per day and community support only.
- Troubleshooting failed automation rules can be frustrating.
Key Features
Jira Pricing
Free
- 2 GB storage
- Up to 10 users
- Agile reporting
- Custom workflows
- Community support
- 100 emails per day
- Scrum and kanban boards
Standard
- Project roles
- 250 GB storage
- Advanced permissions
- Business-hours support
Premium
- Sandbox
- Admin insights
- 99.9% uptime SLA
- Project archiving
- Unlimited storage
- 24/7 premium support
Enterprise
- Billed annually
- 99.95% uptime SLA
- Multiple instances
- Atlassian Analytics
- Unlimited automation runs
- Advanced security controls
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Free plan supports up to 10 users and 2 GB of storage, with no time limit.
In early November 2026, independent trackers listed Standard at about $8.48 and Premium at about $15.56 per user per month on monthly billing. Prices changed several times during 2026, so check Atlassian's pricing page for current rates.
Yes. Jira Data Center is self-hosted and aimed at large organizations. It reportedly starts at around $51,000 per year.
Yes. Native time logging is available on all plans.
Premium includes a 99.9% uptime SLA, and Enterprise includes 99.95%.
Yes. Annual billing is cheaper than monthly, with savings of up to about 17%.
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