Redmine vs Jira

Redmine and Jira are two popular project management tools, each with their strengths. Jira is designed for agile software development with sprint planning, issue tracking and deep integration with developer tools like Bitbucket and Confluence. Redmine is an open-source alternative that offers flexibility through plugins and customization.

We will compare Redmine and Jira to help you decide which one is best for your workflow. We'll also consider Breeze, a lightweight project management tool for teams that want a clean interface and all the core project management features in one place.

Redmine and Jira Compared

Redmine is a highly customizable open-source tool that allows teams to tailor project management to their needs. It supports multiple projects, issue tracking, Gantt charts and wiki-based documentation. Whilst flexibility is a big plus, setting up and maintaining Redmine requires technical expertise.

Jira is designed for development teams following agile methodologies. It offers advanced sprint planning, backlog management and built-in reporting for tracking progress. Its structured approach makes it a go-to for software teams but its complexity can be a challenge for teams outside of IT.

Breeze makes project management easy to handle. It avoids the learning curve of Jira and the technical overhead of Redmine, making it an efficient choice for teams that want clarity and efficiency. If Redmine's customization feels too complex or Jira's structure feels too rigid, Breeze offers a simple way to keep projects on track without distractions.

• Redmine
• Jira
• Other Alternative

Redmine

• Pricing: Free, some plugins can be purchased
• Rating: 4.1/5 on Capterra

Redmine is an open-source alternative to Jira, without the paid plans. It supports project tracking, issue management and time logging, so it's a good choice for teams who need control over their workflows. Unlike Jira, Redmine is self-hosted, so you can customize the tool to your needs without vendor lock-in or recurring costs.

Jira is full of features for agile teams, but Redmine is for those who prefer a leaner system without unnecessary complexity. Redmine has plugins that can expand its functionality, with no steep learning curve like Jira's complex setup. While Jira integrates deeply with development tools, Redmine allows you to build your own integrations so you have a more tailored experience.

Why You Might Prefer Redmine Over Jira

• Open source and self-hosted, so you have full control over your data and customizations.
• Simple and lightweight compared to Jira's complex configuration and steep learning curve.
• Free to use, while Jira requires paid plans to get to advanced features.
• Plugin-based customization gives you flexibility without forcing you into rigid structures.
• Built-in time tracking without additional add-ons or external integrations.
• Less resource intensive, good for small to mid-sized teams looking for a simple project management tool.

What People Think About Redmine:

"I am using Redmine since 4 years now on a small virtual server which has now problem serving 30 power users with about 20% cpu load. Redmine has everything you need if you are looking for a ticket system. I use it for my advanced software engineering classes and for all my other projects, too. This system has never let me down. You can customize workflows, ticket types, extra field and there is a great community with a lot of plugins for special needs. I can absolutely recommend this system."

Source: Capterra

Jira

• Pricing: Free for up to 10 users, with advanced features starting at $7.16 per user per month
• Rating: 4.4/5 on Capterra

Jira is a project management tool for agile teams, especially in software development and IT. It has issue tracking, sprint planning and integration with developer tools like Bitbucket and Confluence. With lots of customization options, teams can create workflows that match their development process and use advanced reporting features like burndown charts and velocity tracking. While Jira is powerful, the feature-rich interface can be overwhelming for non-technical teams or those not familiar with Agile.

Redmine is an open-source alternative that offers flexibility without licensing fees. It has issue tracking, time logging and role-based permissions but setting it up requires technical expertise. Unlike Jira which has a cloud-hosted solution, Redmine is self hosted so teams are responsible for server maintenance and updates. While this gives more control over data security, it also means ongoing upkeep. Plus Redmine's interface while functional is not as modern as Jira's and may require customization for the best user experience.

Why You Might Prefer Jira Over Redmine

• Agile tools like sprint planning, backlog management and velocity tracking for structured development workflows.
• Built-in integrations with developer tools like GitHub, Bitbucket and Confluence for end-to-end project management.
• Advanced reporting features like burndown charts and workload tracking so teams can see progress.
• Cloud-hosted options so you don't have to worry about internal server maintenance and technical setup.
• Strong support ecosystem with lots of documentation, tutorials and active community forums.
• Scalable for enterprise so it's a good option for large teams managing multiple projects.

Looking for more tools similar to Jira? Check out this list of Jira alternatives.

What People Think About Jira:

"My overall experience was amazing! We as a company are at a point where we cannot even operate without Jira on a daily basis. Its very time efficient, so it eliminates hours of work for us so we can get loads done"

Source: Capterra

Other Alternative

Jira and Redmine have structured workflows but can be overwhelming for teams that need a simple approach. Breeze focuses on simplicity with Kanban boards, workflow automation and time tracking. It has integrated messaging and you can leave comments inside the designated task so you can keep communication in one tool.

Unlike Jira's developer-centric setup or Redmine's customization requirements, Breeze is built for teams across industries. Shared calendars, project timelines and real-time chat make collaboration easier without forcing teams to adapt to rigid structures or technical setups. Breeze keeps projects on track without the learning curve that comes with more complex tools.

For teams that value simplicity and ease of use, Breeze is a smoother project management experience. It covers the essentials without feature overload, a practical alternative to Redmine and Jira. They have their strengths but for teams that want to stay focused without the complexity, Breeze is the better choice.

Key Features of Breeze:

• Use project planning tools to balance deadlines and workloads.
• Track progress with built-in time tracking.
• Visualise workflows with customizable Kanban boards.
• Distribute tasks evenly across teams using workload management tools to prevent burnout.
• Automate repetitive tasks.
• Sync schedules with shared calendars.
• Chat with your team in real-time.
• Track dependencies and milestones with project timelines.

Why You Might Prefer Breeze Over Redmine or Jira:

• Hassle-Free Setup: Breeze's simple and intuitive design allows teams to begin managing projects without the steep learning curves of Redmine's technical setup or Jira's feature-heavy platform. This makes Breeze ideal for teams looking for a quick start.
• Integrated Time Management: Breeze offers built-in time tracking, eliminating the need for third-party integrations. In contrast, Redmine relies on plugins for similar functionality, and Jira requires additional add-ons.
• Task Visualization: Kanban boards provide a clear and easy way to manage workflows. Redmine's interface can feel outdated, while Jira's advanced boards may overwhelm smaller teams with too much complexity.
• All-in-One Collaboration: With features like real-time chat and shared calendars, Breeze keeps teams aligned. Redmine lacks built-in communication tools, while Jira relies heavily on integrations for team discussions.
• Balanced Features for Teams: Breeze combines workflow automation and task management in one platform, offering what teams need without unnecessary complications. Redmine is highly customizable but demands technical expertise, while Jira can feel overly feature-dense.
• Fair Workload Distribution: Breeze's workload management tools ensure tasks are distributed evenly, avoiding the burnout risks often faced by teams using Redmine or Jira's more manual workload tracking.

What People Think About Breeze:

"This is and has always been the most appropriate commercial task management system for small teams available today in my experience. I have used many others. In an industry that is dominated by marketing and opinion, it is important to have a filter for the noise of confusion, and listen to practical people."

Source: Capterra

Redmine vs Jira: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Team

When it comes down to a comparison between Redmine or Jira, it's up to your team and how much complexity you want to manage. There is no solution that suits everyone. Jira is a powerful tool for agile software development with deep integrations and structured workflows that are perfect for technical teams. Redmine as an open source alternative provides flexibility for those who want a custom solution but require more configuration.

For teams that don't need the technical depth of Jira or the customization demands of Redmine, Breeze has a simpler, direct approach to project management. It gives you the core features teams need, but without the clutter that slows projects down. Whether you're running a small business or managing projects at large companies, Breeze keeps work organized with minimal effort.

Redmine and Jira can work in the right environment but can also create friction for teams that just need a clear, functional tool to manage tasks and deadlines. Breeze keeps it simple, so teams can focus on work not configuring a platform. If simplicity, clarity and efficiency matter to your team, Breeze is the better choice to keep projects on track.