Best GitLab Issues Alternatives in 2026
The top GitLab Issues alternatives are Jira, YouTrack and Bugzilla: 15 bug tracking software our editors would look at instead of GitLab Issues, in our ranking order.
GitLab Issues: GitLab Issues brings issue intake and visual workflow boards into GitLab projects and groups. Where it falls short: board configuration options such as iterations are limited to eligible tiers.
Switching from GitLab Issues? For most bug tracking software buyers the best GitLab Issues alternative is Jira, built for teams needing a flexible bug workflow. On a budget, YouTrack starts at $4.50/user/mo, against $29/user/mo for GitLab Issues.
Why People Look for a GitLab Issues Alternative
- Board configuration options such as iterations are limited to eligible tiers
- Advanced issue-board functionality requires Premium
- It focuses on issues within GitLab rather than a standalone bug-tracking workflow
- Paid from $29/user/mo — YouTrack is $4.50/user/mo
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallJira9.4
Teams needing a flexible bug workflow
Visit Jira - Lowest priceYouTrack9.2
Paid plans from $4.50/user/mo
Visit YouTrack - Best free optionJira9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Jira
All 15 GitLab Issues Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forTeams needing a flexible bug workflow
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Paid from: $7.91/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.3
A broad bug and work tracker with a free tier, automation, and Scrum and Kanban boards.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Jira -
Best forTeams wanting agile bug tracking at low cost
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Paid from: $4.50/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.3
YouTrack combines agile tracking and customizable workflows with a free tier for small teams.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit YouTrack -
Best forTeams comfortable managing self-hosted software
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.3
A focused, self-hosted bug tracker with configurable workflows and no listed license cost.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Bugzilla -
Best forTeams wanting bug tracking within the Zoho ecosystem
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.3
A Zoho-centered bug tracker with workflows, automation, and time tracking.
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Zoho BugTracker -
Best forTeams wanting flexible self-hosted issue management
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.3
Redmine combines configurable issue tracking with project planning and time tracking on your own hosting.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Redmine -
Best forTeams needing self-hosted ticket and milestone tracking
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.3
A self-hosted tracker with tickets, workflows, milestones, wiki, and Git or Subversion integration.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Trac -
Best forSmall teams wanting affordable issue tracking and planning
Issue tracking with planning views, code repositories, and a free plan for small teams.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Backlog -
Best forProduct teams wanting streamlined issue triage
- Better than GitLab Issues:
- Paid from: $10/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
A polished issue-triage workspace that also covers projects, cycles, and releases.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Linear -
Best forDevelopment teams needing bugs, schedules, and time logs
FogBugz combines bug cases, sprint planning, and time tracking in one paid tool.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit FogBugz -
Best forSmall teams wanting a free, self-hosted bug tracker
A focused, self-hosted bug tracker with roadmaps, time tracking, and API access.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit MantisBT -
Best forAzure teams managing manual and automated test defects
A test-management companion for Azure teams, not a bug tracker first.
7.9/10★★★★☆Try Azure Test Plans -
Best forGitHub teams tracking issues alongside project plans
A flexible planning layer for GitHub issues and pull requests, with workflows and views.
7.9/10★★★★☆Try GitHub Projects -
Best forSmall teams wanting free self-hosted task and bug tracking
A self-hosted bug tracker with task history, dependencies, roadmaps, and permissions.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Flyspray -
Best forTeams wanting customizable open-source issue workflows
A self-hosted tracker with deep workflow control for teams that manage their own infrastructure.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Roundup -
Best forAgile teams planning sprints and releases
Detailed sprint and release planning, with a $250 one-time installed license.
- Sprint planning
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Axosoft
GitLab Issues Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to GitLab Issues?
Jira: #1 in our Bug Tracking Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad bug and work tracker with a free tier, automation, and Scrum and Kanban boards.
Is there a free alternative to GitLab Issues?
Yes. Jira, YouTrack, Bugzilla, Zoho BugTracker and Redmine have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to GitLab Issues?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, YouTrack starts lowest, at $4.50/user/mo.
Why do people look for GitLab Issues alternatives?
Board configuration options such as iterations are limited to eligible tiers; Advanced issue-board functionality requires Premium; It focuses on issues within GitLab rather than a standalone bug-tracking workflow.
How do I switch from GitLab Issues?
Export your data from GitLab Issues (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel GitLab Issues.
How to Switch from GitLab Issues
- Export your data from GitLab Issues (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel GitLab Issues.
GitLab Issues vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | GitLab Issues | Yes | $29/user/mo | 8.3 |
| 1 | Jira | Yes | $7.91/user/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | YouTrack | Yes | $4.50/user/mo | 9.2 |
| 3 | Bugzilla | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | Zoho BugTracker | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Redmine | Free | 8.6 | |
| 6 | Trac | Yes | Free | 8.4 |
| 7 | Backlog | Yes | $35/mo | 8.2 |
| 8 | Linear | Yes | $10/user/mo | 8.1 |
| 9 | FogBugz | No | $62/mo | 8.0 |
| 10 | MantisBT | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 11 | Azure Test Plans | Yes | $52/user/mo | 7.9 |
| 12 | GitHub Projects | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Flyspray | Yes | Free | 7.7 |
| 14 | Roundup | Free | 7.6 | |
| 15 | Axosoft | No | 7.5 |
Head-to-Head
- GitLab Issues vs Jira
- GitLab Issues vs YouTrack
- GitLab Issues vs Bugzilla
- GitLab Issues vs Zoho BugTracker
- GitLab Issues vs Redmine
- GitLab Issues vs Trac
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update