GitHub Issues vs MantisBT: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for GitHub Issues and MantisBT side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
GitHub Issues
Project planning and issue tracking built for developers, integrated directly into GitHub.
Best for you if:
- • You want free issue tracking
MantisBT
Open-source issue tracker balancing simplicity and power for effective project collaboration.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (GitHub Issues requires payment)
| At a Glance | GitHub Issues | MantisBT |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Project Management Task Management | Project Management Task Management |
Rating | n/a | 4.4/5 G2 4.0 · SourceForge 5.0 114 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose GitHub Issues or MantisBT?
Choose GitHub Issues if
- You want free issue tracking
- You want GitHub integration
Choose MantisBT if
- You want a fully free tool (GitHub Issues requires payment)
- You want easy and fast to get started
- You want powerful yet simple to use
In-Depth Analysis
GitHub Issues
Project planning and issue tracking built for developers, integrated directly into GitHub.
GitHub Issues offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free issue tracking
- Pro: GitHub integration
- Pro: Labels and milestones
- Pro: API access
- Pro: Community standard
Weaknesses
- Con: Basic project management
- Con: Limited views
- Con: Reporting minimal
- Con: Workflows basic
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
MantisBT
Open-source issue tracker balancing simplicity and power for effective project collaboration.
MantisBT's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy and fast to get started
- Pro: Powerful yet simple to use
- Pro: Highly customizable to fit specific project needs
- Pro: Facilitates effective collaboration with team members and clients
- Pro: Open-source, providing flexibility and community support
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires self-hosting and setup for on-premise use
- Con: May require technical knowledge for advanced customization or server management
Key features
Plans and prices: GitHub Issues vs MantisBT
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Issues |
| github.com/features/issues read Sep 27, 2026 |
| MantisBT |
| mantisbt.org read Oct 8, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on GitHub Issues pricing and MantisBT pricing.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Issues
- Choose if you want project planning and issue tracking built for developers, integrated directly into GitHub
MantisBT
- Choose if you want open-source issue tracker balancing simplicity and power for effective project collaboration
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only MantisBT has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 114 reviews); GitHub Issues has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do GitHub Issues and MantisBT compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only MantisBT has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 114 reviews); GitHub Issues has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are GitHub Issues and MantisBT used for?
GitHub Issues: Project planning and issue tracking built for developers, integrated directly into GitHub. MantisBT: Open-source issue tracker balancing simplicity and power for effective project collaboration.
What does GitHub Issues cost vs MantisBT?
GitHub Issues has no public paid-plan price on file. MantisBT is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 8, 2026.
What's the main difference between GitHub Issues and MantisBT?
GitHub Issues's main strength: free issue tracking. MantisBT's main strength: easy and fast to get started.