Jira 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 Jira 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:
Jira
The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want most comprehensive 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 (Jira requires payment)
| At a Glance | Jira | MantisBT |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $9.05/user/mo, billed monthly Standard plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Project Management Task Management | Project Management Task Management |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.3 · SourceForge 4.6 8,007 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.0 · SourceForge 5.0 114 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Marketplace apps add up: most teams install 5-15 apps (time tracking, test management, reporting, Git integration). | n/a |
Choose Jira or MantisBT?
Choose Jira if
- You want most comprehensive issue tracking
- You want highly customizable workflows
Choose MantisBT if
- You want a fully free tool (Jira requires payment)
- You want easy and fast to get started
- You want powerful yet simple to use
In-Depth Analysis
Jira
The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows
Jira is the default tool for software development teams, and its pricing is among the most competitive in enterprise software.
Watch out
Marketplace apps add up: most teams install 5-15 apps (time tracking, test management, reporting, Git integration).
Strengths
- Pro: Most comprehensive issue tracking
- Pro: Highly customizable workflows
- Pro: Excellent for agile development
- Pro: Strong reporting and dashboards
- Pro: Enterprise-grade security
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex and overwhelming interface
- Con: Slow performance with large projects
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Expensive for larger teams
- Con: Over-engineered for simple projects
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: Jira vs MantisBT
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jira |
| atlassian.com/software/jira/pricing read Oct 3, 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 Jira pricing and MantisBT pricing.
Key Takeaways
Jira
- Choose if you want the industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows
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.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 8,007 reviews for Jira, 4.4/5 from 114 reviews for MantisBT).
- Jira starts at $9.05/user/mo, billed monthly; MantisBT has no public paid plan price on file.
- 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 Jira 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. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 8,007 reviews for Jira, 4.4/5 from 114 reviews for MantisBT). Jira starts at $9.05/user/mo, billed monthly; MantisBT has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Jira and MantisBT used for?
Jira: The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows. MantisBT: Open-source issue tracker balancing simplicity and power for effective project collaboration.
What does Jira cost vs MantisBT?
Jira's cheapest paid plan is Standard at $9.05/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. MantisBT is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 8, 2026.
What's the main difference between Jira and MantisBT?
Jira's main strength: most comprehensive issue tracking. MantisBT's main strength: easy and fast to get started.