Jira vs ClickUp: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Jira and ClickUp.
Issue and project tracking for software teams
One app to replace them all
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Jira | ClickUp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8.15/mo | $7/mo ✓ Cheaper |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Founded | 2002 | 2017 |
Jira: pros & cons
- ✓Industry standard for dev teams
- ✓Extremely powerful
- ✓Huge integration ecosystem
- ✓Scales to enterprise
- ✗Steep learning curve
- ✗Can be slow and bloated
- ✗Complex configuration
- ✗Overkill for non-dev teams
ClickUp: pros & cons
- ✓Feature-rich free plan
- ✓Extremely customisable
- ✓Affordable paid plans
- ✓Constant improvements
- ✗Feature overload can be overwhelming
- ✗Occasional performance issues
- ✗Mobile app lags behind desktop
Choose Jira if...
Jira is the better choice if you need scrum boards or kanban boards, or want to start for free. It scores 4.3/5 on G2.
Read Jira review →Choose ClickUp if...
ClickUp is the better choice if you prioritise tasks & subtasks or docs, or need a free plan. It scores 4.7/5 on G2.
Read ClickUp review →Our verdict
ClickUp edges ahead on user ratings (4.7/5 on G2). ClickUp is the cheaper option. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team — use the comparison table above to decide.
Jira vs ClickUp: frequently asked questions
Is Jira better than ClickUp?
ClickUp has a higher G2 score (4.7/5 vs 4.3/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Jira or ClickUp?
ClickUp is cheaper, starting at $7/mo.
What is the main difference between Jira and ClickUp?
Jira focuses on scrum boards, kanban boards, backlog management. ClickUp focuses on tasks & subtasks, docs, goals. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.