Azure DevOps and Jira are two popular tools that developers use to track and manage projects. Although Jira can be used as a project management tool for teams beyond the scope of software development, in this article, we’ll compare the two tools as they are used in connection with software development. Here’s everything you need to know about Azure DevOps vs. Jira, so you can decide which is best for your team.
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Azure DevOps vs. Jira: At a Glance
Azure DevOps and Jira are both helpful tools for software development teams. Jira uses Agile methodologies, offers additional search functionality and can be used beyond software development projects. Azure DevOps can be used by cross-functional teams throughout the entire lifecycle of a software application.
Azure DevOps
Starting price
Free; $6
per user per month
Most often used by
software development teams
Key function
To collaborate and track software development projects from beginning to end
Free; $6
per user per month
software development teams
To collaborate and track software development projects from beginning to end
Created by Microsoft, Azure DevOps used to be called Visual Studio Team Services. It was created as a way to help developers plan, create and deliver software solutions. The platform largely consists of the following five components, each of which can be used independently or with other components:
- Azure Boards: used to plan, track and collaborate on projects across teams
- Azure Repos: used for storage when building, testing or deploying software
- Azure Pipelines: accommodates pull requests and file management functions when coding
- Azure Test Plans: enables manual and exploratory testing tools
- Azure Artifacts: used to create, host and share software packages within teams
Users of Azure DevOps like that it can be used at every stage of the software development life cycle—from idea generation and planning to managing code, testing the application and deploying the software.
- Free plan for up to five users
- Offers traceability from beginning to end
- Enables cross-functional collaboration through life cycle of software development
- Includes a customizable dashboard
- Limited search functionality
- Doesn’t allow users to adjust workflow iterations
- Lacks built-in roadmaps
- No money-back guarantee
Jira
Starting price
Free; $8.15
per user per month
Most often used by
A wide range of teams, including software development teams
Key function
Manage projects for teams using Agile methodologies, such as Scrum
Free; $8.15
per user per month
A wide range of teams, including software development teams
Manage projects for teams using Agile methodologies, such as Scrum
Jira is a popular software that was initially created by Atlassian as a way for development teams to track bugs and issue resolution but is now used to track other projects as well. Jira’s interface is organized by Epics (large projects), Stories (smaller projects that are part of Epics) and Tasks (single to-dos that make up the Story).
Stories can be cross-functional and typically have a longer timeframe to completion, whereas Tasks are assigned to one specific person and usually completed in a day or less. Using native Agile management, Jira integrates with Confluence and other services to foster efficient management of your development projects.
- Free plan for up to 10 users
- Uses Agile management
- Integrates with Confluence
- Includes built-in road maps to track projects
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Limited use of reports
- Functionality on mobile is difficult
How Azure DevOps and Jira Stack Up
| Azure DevOps | Jira | |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support | Support ticket system and Twitter | Support ticket system |
| Free Plan | Free for up to five users | Free for up to 10 users |
| Starting Price For Paid Plans | $6 per user per month or $30 per month for up to ten users | $8.15 per user per month for teams of 11 to 100 |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 7 days |
| Primary Purpose | Develop software applications from start to finish | Project management tool |
| Tracking Features | Advanced traceability | Built-in roadmaps for development teams Limited traceability Supports Agile methodology |
| Search Functionality | Limited search functionality | Strong search functionality |
| Customization | Custom dashboards | Custom dashboards |
| Coding | Integrates with Git for coding | Integrates with Bitbucket |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | Not available | 30 days |
Jira supports Agile methodology, such as Scrum and Kanban, and allows teams to adjust workflow iterations and add more features while in progress, which isn’t available with Azure DevOps.
Conversely, Azure DevOps allows teams to view a project from start to finish, along with the connections between various stages and work items, but Jira doesn’t allow teams to view previous tasks or iterations. For instance, users of Jira can’t see whether a completed Story is associated with a software release. Using Azure DevOps, teams can track and view every step in the project from ideation to deployment.
Bottom Line
Both Azure DevOps and Jira are popular and useful software development tools, though your best option will largely depend on how you plan to use the tool. If you are looking for something to help you manage the entire life cycle of a software application development, from ideation to deployment, Azure DevOps will probably be your best option. However, if you want a project development tool to be used for software development, as well as other projects, Jira can meet your needs better.
