Jira is known as the task management solution for IT teams. Epics, projects, bugs, backlogs - all typical "Jira".
However, there are many software alternatives that have overtaken Jira in terms of functionality, user-friendliness and cost.
What are the disadvantages of Jira?
Jira is a powerful project management tool, but it's not perfect for everyone. There are some disadvantages listed in the customer testimonials:
❌ Jira can be quite complex and overwhelming
❌ there is no such thing as simply "planning on the fly" in Jira, structures and processes have to be defined and created for all projects and users initially
❌ the variety of functions means that you can quickly lose track of things
❌ it is difficult to adapt the software to your own needs
❌ expensive add-ons are necessary for workflows and drive up costs
❌ for smaller teams and individuals, the costs and effort are usually not proportionate
The Jira alternative awork
In our overview, we look at the Jira alternative awork and compare it in the categories: Design and UX, onboarding for newbies, creatives vs. development teams, time tracking, project planning, capacity planning and data protection.
Design & UX
"What should the design of a tool be like in order to convince users?
💜 awork: "Nice and easy to use! People want a tool that is fun to work with and doesn't cause stress. Nobody wants to spend hours struggling through complicated menus or feel reminded of Windows 95. At awork, we therefore rely on a modern design in combination with a great UX. Modern, simple and easy to use - we like it. And so do our users."
🩶 Jira: "With Jira, we rely on tried and tested software development. Our design is functional and structured. Why change something that works? We also know that there is a learning curve when using it, but once understood, Jira software offers powerful functions. Our tool may not have the easiest UX. But for the teams that embrace it, it delivers exactly what they need."
[.b-testimonial]We chose awork because of its efficiency, simplicity, and beautiful user interface.[.b-testimonial]
Onboarding for new team members
"What should the introduction to the tool be like for newcomers?"
💜 awork: "Our tool is designed so that everyone, from developers and project managers to creatives, can get started straight away. We don't have a long training period. Our customers often work in remote teams - and appreciate it when new team members can get to grips with their colleagues without hours of training. On top of that, there's also an extra onboarding project that explains the most important functions step by step."
🩶 Jira: "We really have a lot of software functions to discover. It can be a bit challenging for newcomers at first, but it's definitely worth it. We therefore rely on our experienced colleagues to show newcomers the tool - after all, they know the processes and features best."
How customers rate Jira and awork in all categories
[.no-toc]Creative vs. development teams[.no-toc]
"Who should be at the centre of the software - the creatives or the development department?"
💜 awork: "Whether creatives or techies - we want everyone to feel right at home with us. With software features that satisfy all members of a team. And features that make life easier for project managers because everything runs smoothly - and still works. So why choose when we can inspire creatives AND techies?"
🩶 Jira: "We opt purely for the techies. Development crews need special tools and features - and that's an area where we excel. The techies are a bit more important to us with Jira Software. And they LOVE the Jira ticketing system. Creative people can of course also use our tool, but they are not necessarily the focus."
💌 Curious to find out more?
You're not sure which software suits your case best? For informations regarding tool-switches, advice on our team-on-board-guarantee and any other questions, please reach out to our team.
[.b-button-primary]Book a free meeting[.b-button-primary]
Time tracking
"Time tracking - a must in all projects. What's the best way to do it?"
💜 awork: "We integrate time tracking seamlessly into the workflow. Our time recording makes tracking child's play - by stopwatch, drag and drop or with the calendar integration that turns meetings into times. Teams no longer have to switch between individual tools while working and therefore have EVERYTHING in one place."
🩶 Jira: "Our time tracking may not look as "nice" in comparison to other tools, but it fulfills its purpose reliably and efficiently - thanks to plugins."
Project planning
"How do you make sure projects stay on track?"
💜 awork: "Project and task management is very important to us. There are functions at all levels: Clients, projects, customizable task lists, tasks, subtasks, checklists and, of course, dependencies and deadlines. Everything a project manager's heart desires.
With our visual timeline, teams can keep an eye on everything and move tasks easily using drag and drop. Whether it's a timeline, the Kanban view or simply lists, each user can decide for themselves.
There are also cool filter systems for the dashboards that team members can use to display what is important to them. Our automations also ensure that recurring tasks are handled in the background and teams can concentrate on their core tasks."
🩶 Jira: "Our focus is on task management. Topics are broken down to the smallest detail and sorted into epics, tasks, bugs, etc. Our automations reduce manual effort. At the same time, the data-driven dashboards provide the teams with deep insights into their projects and thus enable targeted management."
Capacity planning
"Having team capacities under control is the be-all and end-all. What's the smartest way to go about it?"
💜 awork: With awork, teams have the opportunity to plan their capacities in the long term and at the same time design the daily calendar in detail. The combination of calendar and project planning makes it possible to react to spontaneous changes and customer requests in real time.
Everyone can see at a glance which team members are working to capacity and who still has time to spare. You won't find this simple form of workload and capacity planning in any other software."
🩶 Jira: "Project managers should know the workload of their teams in their sleep and naturally take over capacity planning. If you want support from the tool, you have to use the high-priced Jira version.”
[.b-testimonial]Honest opinion: I have been using awork since the beginning of my career and it’s still the perfect fit to fulfill all of our company’s needs.[.b-testimonial]
Data protection
"How should users' data be protected?
💜 awork: "At awork, we take data protection very seriously. Our data is stored and processed exclusively in certified German data centers. The GDPR is our top priority."
🩶 Jira: "Our customers' data is distributed in data centers around the world and has the same high standard of protection everywhere. Of course, GDPR compliance is also important for our Jira software."
[.no-toc]awork as a Jira alternative in project management[.no-toc]
Are you currently scouring the web for alternatives to the project management tool Jira? awork is the go-to project management solution for teams of all sizes in agencies, consultancies and tech companies. Whether you are planning projects, coordinating tasks or want to optimize the collaboration of your team - awork adapts, offers flexibility, is easy to use and also comes in a nice design.
Time to take a closer look at awork as a Jira alternative? No problem 🔎
You can test all the advantages easily and free of charge!
[.b-button-primary] Curious? Try awork for free! [.b-button-primary]
FAQs
What are the benefits of switching software?
Changing your project management software can bring a breath of fresh air to your projects. New tools often offer more modern, intuitive interfaces that help you to complete tasks faster and keep an overview. You could also benefit from better integration options with other apps, which improves team collaboration and the automation of processes.
You can also save money in the long run by switching to a more cost-efficient alternative. Not to mention that by switching to software that better suits your specific needs, you can increase your team's satisfaction and productivity. Switching therefore offers the opportunity to optimize the project management processes in your company and take them to a new level.
Who are Jira alternatives suitable for?
Are you looking for Jira alternatives? If so, you are probably part of or leading a team that is looking for modern, possibly cheaper or more user-friendly solutions.
You may also want specific features that Jira doesn't offer or a tool that fits your workflow better.
Small to medium-sized companies, start-ups and agile teams that value flexibility and simplicity often find exactly what they need in alternatives to Jira. Non-IT teams looking for an uncomplicated interface can also benefit from switching. Ultimately, whether you work in project management, product development or marketing, there is a Jira alternative that suits your needs.
How do you test new software?
The testing phase and decision making are crucial to finding the right tool.
First, use test versions of the tools in question. This gives you a direct insight into the functionality and user-friendliness. Pay attention to how well the tool fits into your existing workflows. If you deliberately want to integrate a new workflow, new tools are even better suited to starting with a fresh database.
Gather feedback from your team during the test phase. After all, they are the ones who have to work with it. Their opinions are worth their weight in gold for informed decision-making.
Also compare the costs versus the range of functions. Sometimes less is more and a simpler tool can be more effective than software that is overloaded with features.
[.b-related-article]How to get your team excited about a new project management tool.[.b-related-article]
