Jira vs monday.com: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Jira and monday.com comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Jira
The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows
Best for you if:
- • You need task management features specifically
- • Industry-standard project management for developers
- • Agile and Scrum-focused issue tracking
monday.com
Work OS for teams
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • Work management platform
- • Customizable boards
| At a Glance |  Jira |  monday.com |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Task Management | Automation |
Rating | 82/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Jira | monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Task ManagementWorkflow Automation | AutomationProject Tracking |
How Jira and monday.com Compare
Jira
The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows
Free tier available · 82/100 score
monday.com
Work OS for teams
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Jira is a task management tool. monday.com is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Jira
Want the highest-rated option?
Jira: 82/100. monday.com: 86/100.
Go with: monday.com
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: monday.com
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Jira is a task management tool. monday.com is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
monday.com scores higher: 86/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
monday.com
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Jira
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
monday.com (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jira or monday.com better?
monday.com scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Jira and monday.com used for?
Jira: The industry standard for software development tracking and agile workflows. monday.com: Work OS for teams.
What does Jira cost vs monday.com?
Jira is freemium (free tier + paid plans). monday.com is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.