GitLab vs Jira Comparison
Compare GitLab vs Jira features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
GitLab
6.8/10
GitLab is a DevSecOps platform that combines source code, CI/CD, security, and agile planning with issues, boards, and epics for software teams.
Jira
7.3/10
Atlassian's work and issue-tracking platform for planning, tracking, and shipping projects, with scrum and kanban boards built mainly for software and technical teams.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Scalability | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Security | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $29/user/mo Premium | $8/user/mo Standard |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Free Free |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Collaboration tools | ||
| Kanban boards | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Task lists | ||
| Task management | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Timeline view | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Dashboards | Not listed | |
| Docs | Not listed | |
| File sharing | Not listed | |
| Knowledge base | Not listed | |
GitLab vs Jira cost by team size
GitLab and Jira cost the same up to 5 users.
| Team size | GitLab | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 10 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree |
| 25 users | Contact for pricing | $212/moStandard |
| 50 users | Contact for pricing | $424/moStandard |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose GitLab
- Higher Ease of Use score (5/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Security score (9/10 vs 8/10)
Why choose Jira
- Higher Cost score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Customization score (9/10 vs 8/10)
- Better fit for marketing teams (5/10 vs 3/10)
- Better fit for product teams (8/10 vs 6/10)
Pros & Cons
GitLab
Pros
- Planning, code, CI/CD, and security live in one tool, so issues link directly to merge requests and pipelines.
- Time tracking with estimates and logged time is included on every tier, including Free.
- It can be self-managed or run as single-tenant Dedicated, which suits regulated enterprises.
- Reviewers on G2 and Capterra rate it about 4.5 out of 5 and praise its robust CI/CD and version control.
Cons
- Users who don't write code face a lot of complexity, and reviewers complain about frequent interface changes.
- Ultimate pricing isn't public, and Premium is listed only with annual billing.
- OKRs require Ultimate and are still not ready for production; the global time tracking report is also experimental.
- Users have long complained that epics exist only at the group level.
Jira
Pros
- The free plan supports up to 10 users and includes scrum and kanban boards.
- Reviewers highlight deep customization of workflows, boards, and fields.
- Sprint and agile management are strong, and Jira integrates with GitHub and Git tools.
- It links closely with Confluence and other Atlassian products, so tickets can be referenced across those apps.
- Time tracking is built into every plan, including Free.
Cons
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and an interface that overwhelms non-technical users.
- Users report slow issue loading and laggy boards in large deployments.
- Paid Marketplace apps can add hidden costs for reporting, CRM, and helpdesk needs.
- The free plan is limited to 100 emails per day and community support only.
- Troubleshooting failed automation rules can be frustrating.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Jira scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.3/10 against 6.8/10 for GitLab. The largest gap is in Cost: 4/10 for GitLab and 7/10 for Jira.
Yes, both GitLab and Jira have a free plan.
Jira is the better fit for marketing teams: we rate it 5/10 for them, against 3/10 for GitLab.
