Jira vs ClickUp
Jira and ClickUp represent two popular approaches to project management. My team has used both for real projects, and we've learned that the "best" tool often depends on your team's working style. Jira scores 9.1/10, but team adoption matters more than features.
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Quick Answer
Jira beats ClickUp for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 9/10 and industry standard for software development. Choose ClickUp if you need extremely feature-rich.
Jira
WinnerIndustry-leading agile project management for dev teams
Starting from
$7.53/mo
ClickUp
All-in-one productivity with generous free tier
Starting from
$7/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $7.53/mo | $7/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | 10 (free) | Unlimited (free) |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | 2GB (free) | 100MB (free) |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 3000+ | 1000+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Jira
- Industry standard for software development
- Powerful Scrum and Kanban support
- Extensive marketplace with 3,000+ apps
- Advanced workflow customization
- Deep GitHub/GitLab integration
- AI-powered features in Premium
- 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader
- Steep learning curve
- Can become expensive with add-ons
- Complex for non-technical teams
- Free plan limited to 10 users
ClickUp
- Extremely feature-rich
- Generous free plan
- Built-in docs, goals, and chat
- Highly customizable
- Multiple view options
- Competitive pricing
- Can feel cluttered
- Steep learning curve
- Performance can lag
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: Jira focuses on industry standard for software development, while ClickUp emphasizes extremely feature-rich. Both philosophies have merit depending on your priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
Jira
Choose Jira if you prioritize industry standard for software development, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value powerful scrum and kanban support.
ClickUp
Choose ClickUp if you prioritize extremely feature-rich, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value generous free plan.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Jira is our winner with a rating of 9.1/10 compared to ClickUp's 9/10. Jira stands out for its industry standard for software development and powerful scrum and kanban support. While ClickUp is more affordable, Jira's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, ClickUp remains an excellent choice if extremely feature-rich is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Switching project management tools affects your whole team. Most tools offer data export, but workflows and automations won't transfer. Plan for a transition period where you might run both systems briefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jira better than ClickUp?
Jira scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 9/10). Jira excels at industry standard for software development, while ClickUp is better for extremely feature-rich.
Which is cheaper, Jira or ClickUp?
ClickUp is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. ClickUp offers NaN% savings.
Jira vs ClickUp: which should I choose?
Choose Jira if you prioritize industry standard for software development. Choose ClickUp if you need extremely feature-rich. Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Jira and ClickUp?
The main difference is Jira offers industry-leading agile project management for dev teams, while ClickUp focuses on all-in-one productivity with generous free tier.