GitHub Projects vs ZenHub

Both bring Agile project tracking directly into GitHub for developer-led teams, avoiding a disconnected PM tool. The split is in depth: GitHub Projects is a fully native, built-in board and table system with custom fields, while ZenHub layers dedicated sprint planning on top of GitHub issues and pulls in integrations that reach beyond engineering, like Salesforce and HubSpot.

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GitHub ProjectsZenHub
CategoryAgileAgile
Best forEngineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHubDeveloper-led teams that want sprint planning inside their existing GitHub workflow
Free planYes (free forever)Yes (free for everyone)
Paid plans from$4 per user / month (Team)$4.99 per user / month (Teams)
Platform
DeploymentCloud, Self-hostedCloud
Team sizeSmall team, Mid-size, Large, EnterpriseSmall team, Mid-size
ApproachBoards and tables built directly on GitHub issues and pull requestsSprint planning and burndowns natively inside GitHub
Learning curveLowMedium
AI featuresYesYes
IntegrationsSlack, Jira, ZapierSlack, Zapier, Google Workspace, Salesforce, HubSpot
Strengths
  • Native to GitHub
  • Great for dev teams
  • Custom fields and views
  • Native GitHub experience
  • Sprint planning
  • Developer-centric

GitHub Projects vs ZenHub pricing

GitHub Projects

  • Free$0Free forever
  • Team$4 per user / month
  • Enterprise$21 per user / monthStarting price

Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Prices exclude VAT and local taxes unless stated. See current GitHub Projects pricing →

ZenHub

  • Free$0 per user / monthFree for everyone
  • Teams$4.99 per user / monthBilled yearly
  • EnterpriseCustom contact sales

Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Prices exclude VAT and local taxes unless stated. See current ZenHub pricing →

Strengths and trade-offs

GitHub Projects

Where it stands out

Being native to GitHub, with custom fields and views, makes it attractive for dev teams that want one less app in their workflow.

Trade-off to know

It's limited for non-technical teams who don't already work inside GitHub.

ZenHub

Where it stands out

Its native GitHub experience makes it attractive for engineering teams that don't want a separate PM tool disconnected from their code.

Trade-off to know

It requires GitHub, so it isn't an option for teams hosted elsewhere.

Which one fits your team?

Choose GitHub Projects if…

  • You want project tracking with zero extra tools to install, just custom fields and views built into GitHub itself
  • Your team is entirely technical and doesn't need dedicated sprint planning beyond boards and tables
See full GitHub Projects review →

Choose ZenHub if…

  • You want structured sprint planning layered on top of your existing GitHub issues and pull requests
  • You need integrations that connect engineering work to business tools like Salesforce or HubSpot, not just Slack
See full ZenHub review →

FAQ

What is the main difference between GitHub Projects and ZenHub?

Both bring Agile project tracking directly into GitHub for developer-led teams, avoiding a disconnected PM tool. The split is in depth: GitHub Projects is a fully native, built-in board and table system with custom fields, while ZenHub layers dedicated sprint planning on top of GitHub issues and pulls in integrations that reach beyond engineering, like Salesforce and HubSpot.

Do GitHub Projects and ZenHub have a free plan?

Yes, both offer a free plan. GitHub Projects: free forever. ZenHub: free for everyone.

How much do GitHub Projects and ZenHub cost?

GitHub Projects's paid plans start at $4 per user / month (Team), while ZenHub's start at $4.99 per user / month (Teams). Billing period, team size, and taxes affect the final price, so check each vendor's pricing page before deciding.

Who is each tool best suited for?

GitHub Projects fits engineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHub. ZenHub fits developer-led teams that want sprint planning inside their existing GitHub workflow.

Can GitHub Projects or ZenHub be self-hosted?

GitHub Projects offers both cloud and self-hosted options; ZenHub is cloud-only.

Reviewed by the PM Help Tools team · Last updated · How we review tools