Head-to-head · Scrum Software
Jira vs Azure Boards
Jira leads on 0 checks, Azure Boards on 5, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreJira · 9.2/10
- Lowest starting priceAzure Boards · $6/user/mo
- Free planboth
- Most featuresAzure Boards · 4 of 4
Jira scores higher on our rubric for scrum software: 9.2 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.
Azure Boards is cheaper to start at $6/user/mo against $7.91/user/mo. Azure Boards offers sprint planning; Jira doesn't publish it. Azure Boards offers product backlog; Jira doesn't publish it. Azure Boards offers sprint reports; Jira doesn't publish it. Azure Boards offers scrum boards; Jira doesn't publish it.
Jira is the better fit for teams coordinating Scrum work across projects. Azure Boards is the better fit for small teams already using Microsoft development tools.
- Jira fits best
Teams coordinating Scrum work across projects
- Azure Boards fits best
Small teams already using Microsoft development tools
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Side by side
| Feature | Jira 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Azure Boards 7.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 7.0 |
| Ranking | #1 in Scrum Software | #6 in Scrum Software |
| Best for | Teams coordinating Scrum work across projects | Small teams already using Microsoft development tools |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $7.91/user/mo | $6/user/mo (best) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Free trial length | 7 days · no card needed | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Support | Community, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 | Docs |
| Integrations | 3,000+ integrations | 6 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Jira 0/4 · Azure Boards 4/4 | ||
| Sprint planning | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Product backlog | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Sprint reports | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Scrum boards | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Free plan users | Not published | 5 users |
| Key integrations | Not published | GitHub, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Azure DevOps REST API, Excel, Power BI |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Teams managing Scrum work across projects can use Jira to plan and track tasks through Scrum and Kanban boards, backlogs, and list, timeline, calendar, and summary views. Customizable workflows and fields, forms for work intake, built-in… Read the review → |
Azure Boards is a work-tracking service within Azure DevOps for software teams using Scrum or other agile processes. Product and sprint backlogs, work items, boards, taskboards, and iteration assignment cover the core planning cycle, while… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Jira — where it wins
- Scrum and Kanban boards plus backlog and multiple work views
- Workflow automation, time tracking, reports, and dashboards
- Premium adds dependency management and cross-team planning
Where it doesn't
- Free plan is limited to 10 users and 2 GB of storage
- Premium's monthly price is higher than Standard's
- Enterprise capabilities and support require a custom-tier plan
Azure Boards — where it wins
- Backlogs, sprint planning, boards, and iteration assignment support Scrum workflows
- Burndown and velocity charts help teams monitor sprint progress
- Links work items to GitHub commits, branches, and pull requests
Where it doesn't
- Free Stakeholder access lacks sprint planning and other agile tools
- Basic is $6 per user monthly after the first five users
- The $52 Basic + Test Plans tier is a substantial step up for test features
- Jira9.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $7.91/user/mo · 7-day trial
A broad Scrum toolkit, with a free tier and paid plans for cross-team coordination.
Visit JiraFull verdict → - Azure Boards7.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $6/user/mo · 30-day trial
A Microsoft-centered Scrum tool with sprint planning, GitHub links, and a free Basic allowance.
Visit Azure BoardsFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update