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Soft.xyz pulls data from public APIs including GitHub (stars, forks, commits, open issues, last commit date), npm (weekly download counts), and official pricing pages. Community sentiment data comes from Reddit and Hacker News mention tracking. All metrics are refreshed weekly and timestamped so you can see exactly when data was last updated.

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Soft.xyz tracks 232 developer tools across 69 categories including databases, hosting, authentication, payments, analytics, CI/CD, monitoring, search, CMS, and more. Each tool page includes real-time GitHub metrics, npm download counts, pricing breakdowns, and side-by-side comparisons with alternatives in the same category.

Best Jira Alternatives

Reviewed byRoman K

4 alternatives to Jira in Project Management, compared by pricing, DX grade, security, and vendor lock-in.

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Linear

Speed, developer-focused UX

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Price vs Jira

Cheaper per seat

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Medium (3/10)

Plane

Open source, self-hosted Jira alternative

Price vs Jira

Free self-hosted

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (1/10)

GitHub Issues

Already on GitHub, simple workflows

Price vs Jira

Free with GitHub

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Medium (4/10)

Shortcut

Story-based workflow, good GitHub integration, simple

Price vs Jira

$8.50/user/mo

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (2/10)

Pricing and traction at a glance

Of the 4 alternatives listed, 1 are tracked with full data: 1 keep a free plan. Paid entries run from $8/mo (Linear) to $8/mo (Linear). Switching cost is usually driven by lock-in, not by the sticker price.

Tool	Pricing	Free plan	GitHub stars
Linear	freemium — from $8/mo	yes	—

FAQ

What are the best Jira alternatives in 2026?

The top alternatives to Jira are Linear, Plane, GitHub Issues, Shortcut. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Jira?

Several Jira alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: Plane (Free self-hosted), GitHub Issues (Free with GitHub).

How many Jira alternatives are tracked here?

4 in the Project Management category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Jira alternatives in 2026?▾

The top alternatives to Jira are Linear, Plane, GitHub Issues, Shortcut. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Jira?▾

Several Jira alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: Plane (Free self-hosted), GitHub Issues (Free with GitHub).

How many Jira alternatives are tracked here?▾

4 in the Project Management category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.