Jira Software Reviews

Creating and assigning tasks is at the heart of project management, and Jira Software makes it effortless to do so. In addition, the platform provides various dashboards for every user, which are essentially collections of tasks. Dashboards can be turned into to-do lists, a stream of recent activity in a project, and more.

However, a task can only have one assignee. It’s also important to note that main tasks are called epics and subtasks are known as issues on Jira Software. Confusingly, the terms ‘task’ and ‘subtask’ are also used on certain project boards but they mean the same as epics and issues.

Of course, the platform comes with task dependency, which is referred to as issue linking. Moreover, task start dates and deadlines can be set, which can be conveniently edited on a timeline.

With that in mind, Jira Software offers several project views, such as Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendars, and more. However, the terminology is a bit different here as well, as Gantt charts are called timelines in regular projects and roadmaps on Scrum boards.

Furthermore, Jira Software has a built-in time tracker that reveals which employees are available. However, this is as far as it gets, as users must integrate third-party time tracking software to allocate time spent on tasks.

Additionally, the platform comes with advanced reporting, such as release burndown reports, which reveal whether a project was completed within its scope. The platform’s velocity charts also track whether milestones were met on time. Having said that, there’s still room for the software to improve, especially when it comes to reports including expenses, budgeting, and invoicing.

Last but not least, Jira Software offers audit trails about task and subtask progress, such as who modified a task and when.

To make project workflows more streamlined, Jira Software integrates with over 1,000 third-party apps. This includes software for cloud storage, internet security, and time-tracking software.

There are also add-ons for Atlassian’s other platforms, such as Jira Work Management and Confluence. The former provides templates to be used in projects, while the latter lets you update your team regarding daily matters via blog posts.

Another noteworthy integration is Microsoft 365, which provides add-ons for multiple apps in one powerful office suite. For example, Microsoft Outlook can be integrated to create tasks out of emails. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams can import to-dos from Jira Software and vice versa, so a project’s progress can be updated without changing platforms too often.

To make project workflows more streamlined, Jira Software integrates with over 1,000 third-party apps. This includes software for cloud storage, internet security, and time-tracking software.

There are also add-ons for Atlassian’s other platforms, such as Jira Work Management and Confluence. The former provides templates to be used in projects, while the latter lets you update your team regarding daily matters via blog posts.

Another noteworthy integration is Microsoft 365, which provides add-ons for multiple apps in one powerful office suite. For example, Microsoft Outlook can be integrated to create tasks out of emails. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams can import to-dos from Jira Software and vice versa, so a project’s progress can be updated without changing platforms too often.

Users must rely on Jira Software’s web application when managing projects on a PC, Mac, or MacBook. Although the platform has no desktop app, it’s possible to receive desktop notifications about new tasks and updated projects by installing In-App & Desktop Notifications for Jira. Other than that, users can get notifications via email too.

Meanwhile, Jira Software’s mobile app for Android and iOS works like a charm, as the tabs are organized better than on the software’s web platform. It’s also convenient that the mobile app gives access to Atlassian’s Jira Service Management and allows recordings to be inserted into new and existing workflows with one tap by using the built-in video recorder.

While the mobile app can’t import templates, it’s possible to work on the ones created on the web platform. In addition, it can send push notifications regarding project updates, comments, and more.

Jira Software‘s pricing structure is complicated, to say the least. The monthly plan is user-based, having the same monthly price for up to 120 users. After that threshold, Jira does get cheaper the more seats you get. Surprisingly, the annual plans work with user ranges. For example, it costs $790 per year regardless of whether you have 1 or 10 users. In other words, it only makes sense to go for the yearly billing cycle when you’re near the end of one of the user thresholds, which can provide a discount of up to 17%. On the bright side, the company does offer a free-forever plan for up to 10 users, which is good enough for a start-up.

With access to unlimited project boards, audit trails, and 250GB storage space, Standard is a sure way to find out what Jira Software is all about. That being said, a Premium subscription unlocks project archiving to avoid getting overcrowded with too many tasks. There’s also an Enterprise plan, which comes with extras like enforced two-factor authentication and separated dashboards for subsidiaries.

Finally, it’s worth taking advantage of the various free trials for Jira Software’s paid plans available. For one, the company offers a 7-day free trial. However, users who start with a free account get an extended version of the trial, which goes up to 14 days for Standard and 30 days for Premium. Finally, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Another way of getting support is by checking Atlassian’s incredibly detailed FAQ sections to learn how to easily create projects and tasks, get started with roadmaps, and much more. Lastly, the company’s blog contains popular project management topics, such as how to avoid scope creep and unnecessary micromanagement.

In addition, Jira Software’s straightforward automation tools are also praise-worthy. Also, real-time reporting streamlines processes by giving the team a detailed overview of projects’ progress. The cherry on top is that you’ll miss nothing happening to your projects with the platform’s simple yet versatile mobile app.

That being said, it takes time to get used to the platform, especially when it comes to Jira Software’s terminology. It would also be useful to integrate budgeting tools to map out a project’s costs and invoicing to conduct direct payment. On the flip side, the appealing free plan is great for any team up to 10 users who are taking the first steps in project management.