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Head-to-head · Test Management Software

aqua vs Kiwi TCMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score aqua #19 in Test Management Software 8.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 7 of 7 features Visit aqua
Kiwi TCMS #42 in Test Management Software 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Kiwi TCMS

aqua leads on 0 checks, Kiwi TCMS on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreaqua · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly aqua

aqua scores higher on our rubric for test management software: 8.2 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #19 and #42.

aqua is the better fit for QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows. Kiwi TCMS is the better fit for open-source teams needing flexible test management.

  • aqua fits best

    QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows

  • Kiwi TCMS fits best

    Open-source teams needing flexible test management

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature aqua 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Kiwi TCMS 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 6.9
Ranking #19 in Test Management Software #42 in Test Management Software
Best for QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows Open-source teams needing flexible test management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €89/user/mo $35/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Web
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 13 integrations 18 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features aqua 7/7 · Kiwi TCMS 7/7
Requirements linking ✓ ✓
Test case management ✓ ✓
Test planning ✓ ✓
Test run tracking ✓ ✓
QA reporting ✓ ✓
Automation integrations ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Links requirements, test cases, executions, and defects
  • Supports automation integrations across Jenkins, Selenium, and other tools
  • Includes AI Copilot, configurable workflows, dashboards, and REST API access
  • Free self-hosted Community Edition with a public container image
  • Bug-tracker and automation integrations, including JIRA and pytest
  • Plans cover self-hosted, SaaS, on-premises, and AWS-hosted deployments
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • The full test management plan starts at €89 per user per month
  • The desktop client is transitioning to a web-only client
  • Self-hosted options require teams to manage their own server
  • Managed Hosting reaches $2,000 per instance monthly
  • Enterprise authentication features are limited to the Enterprise plan
Our verdict

aqua is a test management and quality assurance platform for testers, developers, project managers, and business owners. It brings requirements, reusable test cases, test planning, manual and automated execution, defects, reporting, and…

Read the review →

Kiwi TCMS is an open-source test management system for QA teams handling manual and automated testing. It supports test plans, test cases, test runs, result tracking, bug reporting, telemetry, visual reports, access control, and user…

Read the review →
  1. aquaTest Management Software 8.2Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Kiwi TCMSTest Management Software 6.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • aqua — where it wins

    • Links requirements, test cases, executions, and defects
    • Supports automation integrations across Jenkins, Selenium, and other tools
    • Includes AI Copilot, configurable workflows, dashboards, and REST API access

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The full test management plan starts at €89 per user per month
    • The desktop client is transitioning to a web-only client

  • Kiwi TCMS — where it wins

    • Free self-hosted Community Edition with a public container image
    • Bug-tracker and automation integrations, including JIRA and pytest
    • Plans cover self-hosted, SaaS, on-premises, and AWS-hosted deployments

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted options require teams to manage their own server
    • Managed Hosting reaches $2,000 per instance monthly
    • Enterprise authentication features are limited to the Enterprise plan
  • aqua8.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A broad QA platform for teams that need traceability, automation, and enterprise workflows.

    Visit aquaFull verdict →
  • Kiwi TCMS6.9/10 · Free plan

    A flexible open-source test hub with self-hosted, SaaS, and enterprise deployment options.

    Visit Kiwi TCMSFull verdict →

All test management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update