| Jira | GitHub Projects | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Agile | Agile |
| Best for | Software development teams running structured Agile processes | Engineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHub |
| Free plan | Yes (free forever for up to 10 users) | Yes (free forever) |
| Paid plans from | $9.05 per user / month (Standard) | $4 per user / month (Team) |
| Platform | ||
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Team size | Mid-size, Large, Enterprise | Small team, Mid-size, Large, Enterprise |
| Approach | Scrum & Kanban boards with sprint planning | Boards and tables built directly on GitHub issues and pull requests |
| Learning curve | High | Low |
| AI features | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Slack, GitHub, GitLab, Microsoft Teams, Zapier | Slack, Jira, Zapier |
| Strengths |
|
|
Jira vs GitHub Projects pricing
Jira
- Free$0Free forever for up to 10 users
- Standard$9.05 per user / monthBilled monthly; per-user price drops for larger teams; save up to 17% with annual billing
- Premium$18.30 per user / monthBilled monthly; per-user price drops for larger teams; save up to 17% with annual billing
- EnterpriseCustom contact salesBilled annually only
Prices in USD, checked October 2026. Prices exclude VAT and local taxes unless stated. See current Jira 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 →
Strengths and trade-offs
Jira
Where it stands out
Its Agile workflows, extensive reporting, and large plugin ecosystem make it attractive for teams that want to customize every stage of the development process.
Trade-off to know
That same depth can be a lot to configure and navigate for people outside engineering, and pricing scales quickly as teams grow.
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.
Which one fits your team?
Choose Jira if…
- You need deep Agile reporting, custom workflows, or a large plugin ecosystem
- Your team includes non-technical stakeholders who need portfolio-level views
Choose GitHub Projects if…
- Your whole team already lives in GitHub and wants zero context-switching
- You don't need Jira's reporting depth — just boards, tables, and roadmaps tied to your code
FAQ
What is the main difference between Jira and GitHub Projects?
Jira is a dedicated, heavily configurable Agile platform; GitHub Projects is a lightweight layer built directly on top of GitHub issues and pull requests, for teams that don't want a separate tool at all.
Do Jira and GitHub Projects have a free plan?
Yes, both offer a free plan. Jira: free forever for up to 10 users. GitHub Projects: free forever.
How much do Jira and GitHub Projects cost?
Jira's paid plans start at $9.05 per user / month (Standard), while GitHub Projects's start at $4 per user / month (Team). 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?
Jira fits software development teams running structured Agile processes. GitHub Projects fits engineering teams that want project tracking without leaving GitHub.
Can Jira or GitHub Projects be self-hosted?
Jira is cloud-only; GitHub Projects offers both cloud and self-hosted options.