Head-to-head · IT Ticketing Systems
Jira vs SolarWinds Service Desk
Jira leads on 2 checks, SolarWinds Service Desk on 0, and 4 are 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 · 8.8/10
- Lowest starting priceJira · $7.91/user/mo
- Free planonly Jira
- Free trialboth
- Most featuresSolarWinds Service Desk · 3 of 5
Jira scores higher on our rubric for it ticketing systems: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.
Jira offers free plan; SolarWinds Service Desk doesn't. Jira is cheaper to start at $7.91/user/mo against $39/user/mo.
Jira is the better fit for teams already using Jira for configurable work tracking. SolarWinds Service Desk is the better fit for IT teams needing ticketing, assets, and SLA controls.
- Jira fits best
Teams already using Jira for configurable work tracking
- SolarWinds Service Desk fits best
IT teams needing ticketing, assets, and SLA controls
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Side by side
| Feature | Jira 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | SolarWinds Service Desk 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #4 in IT Ticketing Systems | #5 in IT Ticketing Systems |
| Best for | Teams already using Jira for configurable work tracking | IT teams needing ticketing, assets, and SLA controls |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $7.91/user/mo (best) | $39/seat/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 7 days | 30 days |
| Free trial length | 7 days · no card needed | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Live chat, Phone, Community · 24/7 |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, 2FA |
| Integrations | 3,000+ integrations | 200+ integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Jira 1/5 · SolarWinds Service Desk 3/5 | ||
| SLA management | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Self-service portal | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Asset management | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Automation rules | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Change management | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | For teams that already track work in Jira, the product offers configurable planning across list, board, timeline, calendar, and summary views. Scrum and Kanban boards, custom workflows and fields, forms, built-in time tracking, reports,… Read the review → |
SolarWinds Service Desk is a cloud-based IT service management product for teams handling employee incidents and service requests. It combines ticket routing and prioritization with a service portal, knowledge base, service catalog, change… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Jira — where it wins
- Views, workflows, forms, and automation support varied work processes
- Free plan supports up to 10 users with 2 GB of storage
- Available on web, mobile, API, and self-hosted deployments
Where it doesn't
- Supplied features focus on work tracking, not service-desk essentials
- Free plan is limited to 10 users and 150 automation steps monthly
- Paid plans add cost per user, with Standard starting at $7.91 monthly
SolarWinds Service Desk — where it wins
- Connects incidents and requests with asset records and configuration items
- Includes SLA targets, timers, and breach monitoring
- Offers a service portal, knowledge base, and configurable approval workflows
Where it doesn't
- Essentials starts at $39 per technician per month, billed annually
- Advanced and Premier raise the per-technician price to $99 and $124
- Additional IT asset management pricing may apply
- Jira8.8/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
Jira brings flexible project tracking and automation, but is not centered on core service-desk workflows.
Visit JiraFull verdict → - SolarWinds Service Desk8.7/10 · 30-day trial
Mature ticketing, SLA controls, self-service, and asset workflows at a technician-based price.
Visit SolarWindsFull verdict →
Jira vs SolarWinds Service Desk: questions
Which is better for IT ticketing systems, Jira or SolarWinds Service Desk?
Jira scores higher on our rubric for it ticketing systems: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.
How do Jira and SolarWinds Service Desk compare?
Of the 6 checks we put side by side, Jira leads on 2, SolarWinds Service Desk on none, and 4 are level. Jira costs less: $7.91/user/mo vs $39/user/mo; Free plan only on Jira.
Which costs less, Jira or SolarWinds Service Desk?
Jira costs less: $7.91/user/mo vs $39/user/mo.
Do Jira and SolarWinds Service Desk have a free plan?
Jira: Yes. SolarWinds Service Desk: No.
More comparisons
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- SolarWinds Service Desk vs SolarWinds Web Help Desk
All IT ticketing systems comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update