First of all, let’s focus on technical aspects of these products.
Redmine vs Jira
Redmine is open-source software, which means that with the help of an experienced developer you can improve the tool according to your business needs. JIRA, in its turn, is a closed source program. However, it has much wider API possibilities and more varied plugin infrastructure which can offer more opportunities to customize the tool for the requirements of your business.
– JIRA has a customizable visual workflow which is absent in Redmine. You can use a visual workflow designer to map your processes and gradually refine your work. It is especially helpful if you have a big number of processes that require good organization.
As for the wiki solutions these tools can offer, Redmine has built-in source control integrated wiki. JIRA also has such solutions, but they need to be installed separately.
– Redmine has a clear project hierarchy, while JIRA has two-level inclusion system with categories which is used more for usability that for actual projects hierarchy. On the other hand, JIRA has much more search opportunities, filters and gadgets. Redmine has fewer of them, and those that are present usually need further development and customization for business processes.
It is also worth mentioning that user interface in Redmine might seem much easier for those who don’t have much experience with bug tracking tools.
When choosing issue tracking software, you should take into account not only technical features of the tools, but also some aspects of your business.
Business Integration
For example, If your company is relatively small, and you don’t need a lot of special features, frequent bug fixing and support, Redmine might be a good choice for you because it is: free, easier to further develop, easier to understand.
However, if your business is bigger, you have a lot of projects (especially when they are big and complex) and thus need more options for reporting and control, JIRA would suit you better. It is paid, but the price is very flexible depending on the size of your business. It offers more possibilities for integration with other systems, and has a vast array of both free and paid plugins. The software is supported by a large company with a worldwide network of official experts, which means you will always get timely technical support and bug fixing.
We hope this article helped you to understand better what issue tracking software would suit you and your business. Either way, feel free to contact us – our experts are always ready to help you.
