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Head-to-head · Test Management Software

TestPlanIt vs aqua

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score TestPlanIt #4 in Test Management Software 9.1/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 7 features Visit TestPlanIt
aqua #19 in Test Management Software 8.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 7 of 7 features Visit aqua

TestPlanIt leads on 0 checks, aqua 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 scoreTestPlanIt · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresaqua · 7 of 7

TestPlanIt scores higher on our rubric for test management software: 9.1 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #19.

TestPlanIt is the better fit for self-hosted teams wanting open-source flexibility. aqua is the better fit for QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows.

  • TestPlanIt fits best

    Self-hosted teams wanting open-source flexibility

  • aqua fits best

    QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows

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 TestPlanIt 9.1/10 Visit ↗ aqua 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.2
Ranking #4 in Test Management Software #19 in Test Management Software
Best for Self-hosted teams wanting open-source flexibility QA teams needing deep enterprise test workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $84/mo €89/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days 30 days
Free trial length 30 days 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, Chrome extension
Support Email, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance SSO/SAML, 2FA ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 20 integrations 13 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features TestPlanIt 6/7 · aqua 7/7
Requirements linking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Test case management ✓ ✓
Test planning ✓ ✓
Test run tracking ✓ ✓
QA reporting ✓ ✓
Automation integrations ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Free self-hosting under the AGPL-3.0 license
  • Covers manual, automated, exploratory, and milestone-based testing
  • Connects with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, CI/CD tools, and test frameworks
  • 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
Cons
  • Self-managed deployment requires operational ownership
  • Hosted plans start at $99 per month
  • Workspace hibernates after inactivity on the Essentials plan
  • 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
Our verdict

TestPlanIt is an open-source test management platform for development and QA teams managing manual and automated testing. Its feature set spans hierarchical test case repositories, templates, custom fields, shared steps, attachments,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. TestPlanItTest Management Software 9.1Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. aquaTest Management Software 8.2Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TestPlanIt — where it wins

    • Free self-hosting under the AGPL-3.0 license
    • Covers manual, automated, exploratory, and milestone-based testing
    • Connects with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, CI/CD tools, and test frameworks

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-managed deployment requires operational ownership
    • Hosted plans start at $99 per month
    • Workspace hibernates after inactivity on the Essentials plan

  • 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
  • TestPlanIt9.1/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A flexible test management platform with free self-hosting and paid hosted tiers.

    Visit TestPlanItFull verdict →
  • aqua8.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

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

    Visit aquaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All test management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update