ClickUp vs Jira
ClickUp edges out Jira in our comparison. Incredibly feature-rich vs Industry standard for software teams — pricing, features, and when to pick each one.
Quick Verdict
ClickUp has a narrow lead (4.7 vs 4.4), but both are competitive. Pick ClickUp if incredibly feature-rich matter more to your team. Pick Jira if industry standard for software teams align better with your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ClickUp | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | Free + $7/user/mo | Free + $7.75/user/mo |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 3,102 | 3,421 |
| Best For | Centralizing team workflows | Software issue tracking |
| Key Feature | Multiple task views in one place | Highly customizable workflows |
Overview
ClickUp all-in-one productivity platform combining tasks, docs, goals, and chat. Jira industry-standard issue tracking and project management for software teams. They compete in the Project Management space, but they serve different types of remote teams.
ClickUp scores higher overall (4.7/5 vs 4.4/5), but that doesn't tell the whole story. Jira has strengths in areas where ClickUp falls short — specifically extremely customizable.
Pricing Comparison
ClickUp starts at $7/user/mo with a free tier. Jira starts at $7.75/user/mo with a free tier.
Both tools offer free plans, so your team can test them risk-free. The difference is what you get for free vs paid — ClickUp's free tier focuses on 100mb storage, while Jira emphasizes up to 10 users.
Key Differences
What sets them apart:
- **ClickUp has** Multiple task views in one place, Built-in docs and wikis, Goals and OKR tracking — things Jira doesn't offer - **Jira has** Highly customizable workflows, Scrum and Kanban boards, Advanced roadmaps — things ClickUp doesn't offer
ClickUp is built around incredibly feature-rich. Jira focuses on industry standard for software teams. If your team needs multiple task views in one place, ClickUp is the pick. If highly customizable workflows matter more, go with Jira.
Strengths & Weaknesses
**ClickUp** - Strengths: Incredibly feature-rich, Great free tier, Replaces multiple tools, Highly customizable, Regular updates and new features - Drawbacks: Steep learning curve, Can feel cluttered, Mobile app performance issues, Too many options for some teams
**Jira** - Strengths: Industry standard for software teams, Extremely customizable, Excellent for complex workflows, Strong reporting and analytics, Vast app marketplace - Drawbacks: Steep learning curve, Can feel slow and complex, Expensive for larger teams, Overkill for simple projects, Requires admin expertise
The dealbreaker test: if steep learning curve is a problem for your team, Jira is the alternative. If steep learning curve is worse, pick ClickUp.
Who Should Pick What
**Pick ClickUp if** your team prioritizes incredibly feature-rich and needs multiple task views in one place. It's the better choice when centralizing team workflows is your primary goal.
**Pick Jira if** industry standard for software teams matter more and you want highly customizable workflows. It wins when your team's focus is software issue tracking.
**Consider both if** your team has different workflows — ClickUp for great free tier and Jira for extremely customizable.
The Verdict
Choose Jira if:
7 vs 4.4), but both are competitive. Pick ClickUp if incredibly feature-rich matter more to your team. Pick Jira if industry standard for software teams align better with your workflow.
Try Jira →How to evaluate project management tools for remote teams
Remote project management comparisons should start with the way your team already plans work. A tool that looks better on a feature table can still fail if updates are hard to maintain across time zones, notifications create noise, or teammates cannot see priorities without asking in chat.
Use this comparison with one real project: create the same tasks, owners, due dates, dependencies, and weekly status view in both tools. Then judge which product makes progress easier to understand asynchronously, which one keeps project context closer to the work, and which one your team can keep updated without an admin.
For a broader shortlist, read our remote project management tools guide and compare related options such as Asana vs Monday.com, ClickUp vs Asana, and Asana vs Trello.
Full Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: ClickUp or Jira?
For most teams, ClickUp is the better pick — it scores 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5, and its incredibly feature-rich gives it an edge. But Jira wins if industry standard for software teams is your priority.
Which free plan is better?
Both offer free tiers. ClickUp's free plan gives you 100mb storage, while Jira's includes up to 10 users. Try both and upgrade the one that fits your team's workflow.
Which is better for small teams vs enterprise?
Jira is built for larger organizations. ClickUp is lighter and better suited for small teams that want to move fast.