Best MantisBT Alternatives in 2026
The top MantisBT alternatives are Jira, YouTrack and OpenProject: 15 issue tracking software our editors would look at instead of MantisBT, in our ranking order.
MantisBT: A free self-hosted issue tracker with project, version, roadmap, and API support. Where it falls short: self-hosted deployment requires a PHP web server environment.
Switching from MantisBT? For most issue tracking software buyers the best MantisBT alternative is Jira, built for teams needing broad, mature issue tracking. On a budget, Zoho Sprints starts at $1/user/mo.
Why People Look for a MantisBT Alternative
- Self-hosted deployment requires a PHP web server environment
- Narrower integration and workflow features than broader platforms
- Best suited to issue tracking rather than wider work management
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallJira9.4
Teams needing broad, mature issue tracking
Visit Jira - Lowest priceZoho Sprints8.9
Paid plans from $1/user/mo
Visit Zoho Sprints - Best free optionJira9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Jira
All 15 MantisBT 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 broad, mature issue tracking
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.9
A mature, broad issue tracker with flexible views, automation, and a free tier.
- Time tracking
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Jira -
Best forValue-focused teams needing broad agile tooling
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.9
A value-focused issue tracker with agile planning, helpdesk, automation, and AI.
- Time tracking
9.2/10★★★★★Visit YouTrack -
Best forOpen-source teams needing comprehensive planning
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.9
A broad open-source workspace for teams combining issue tracking with project planning.
- Time tracking
9.1/10★★★★★Visit OpenProject -
Best forOpen-source Scrum and Kanban teams
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.9
A flexible Scrum and Kanban tracker with free use, self-hosting, and low-cost paid tiers.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Taiga -
Best forBudget-conscious Scrum teams
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.9
A low-cost Scrum and Kanban tracker with broad planning and collaboration features.
- Time tracking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Sprints -
Best forEnterprise teams using formal engineering processes
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.9
A process-focused engineering suite for structured planning, tracking and traceability.
- Workflow automation
- Single sign-on
- Time tracking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit IBM -
Best forEnterprise agile portfolio and program teams
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.9
A broad enterprise agile platform for portfolio visibility, planning, and delivery tracking.
- Roadmaps
- Single sign-on
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Broadcom -
Best forModern product and engineering teams
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.9
A broad issue tracking platform with triage automation, planning, AI, and integrations.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Linear -
Best forSelf-hosted teams prioritizing mature bug tracking
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.9
A mature, customizable bug tracker for teams prepared to manage self-hosted software.
- Roadmaps
- Time tracking
- Custom workflows
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Bugzilla -
Best forSelf-hosted teams wanting classic project tracking
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.9
A broad, configurable issue tracker for teams that host their own systems.
- Time tracking
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Redmine -
Best forZoho-centric bug tracking teams
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.9
A capable Zoho-centered bug tracker with useful automation, but web-only scope.
- Workflow automation
- Time tracking
- Custom workflows
8.3/10★★★★☆Try Zoho BugTracker -
Best forOpen-source teams needing traceable agile workflows
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.9
A broad open-source issue tracker for teams that need agile planning and end-to-end traceability.
- Workflow automation
- Roadmaps
- Single sign-on
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Tuleap -
Best forTeams wanting low-cost open-source flexibility
- Better than MantisBT:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.9
A flexible open-source issue tracker with broad planning views and a low-cost Pro tier.
- Time tracking
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Plane -
Best forMature teams needing planning and time tracking
A mature planning and tracking suite for teams that need workflows, scheduling, and time records.
- Roadmaps
- Single sign-on
- Time tracking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit FogBugz -
Best forAgile teams focused on delivery workflows
A delivery-focused tracker with roadmaps, automation, reporting, and development integrations.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Shortcut
MantisBT Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to MantisBT?
Jira: #1 in our Issue Tracking Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A mature, broad issue tracker with flexible views, automation, and a free tier.
Is there a free alternative to MantisBT?
Yes. Jira, YouTrack, OpenProject, Taiga and Zoho Sprints have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to MantisBT?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Zoho Sprints starts lowest, at $1/user/mo.
Why do people look for MantisBT alternatives?
Self-hosted deployment requires a PHP web server environment; Narrower integration and workflow features than broader platforms; Best suited to issue tracking rather than wider work management.
How do I switch from MantisBT?
Export your data from MantisBT (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 MantisBT.
How to Switch from MantisBT
- Export your data from MantisBT (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 MantisBT.
MantisBT vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | MantisBT | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 1 | Jira | Yes | $7.91/user/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | YouTrack | Yes | $4.50/user/mo | 9.2 |
| 3 | OpenProject | Yes | €5.95/user/mo | 9.1 |
| 4 | Taiga | Yes | €50/yr | 9.0 |
| 5 | Zoho Sprints | Yes | $1/user/mo | 8.9 |
| 6 | IBM Engineering Workflow Management | 8.8 | ||
| 7 | Rally | 8.7 | ||
| 8 | Linear | Yes | $10/user/mo | 8.6 |
| 9 | Bugzilla | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 10 | Redmine | Free | 8.4 | |
| 11 | Zoho BugTracker | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 12 | Tuleap | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Plane | Yes | $6/seat/mo | 8.0 |
| 14 | FogBugz | No | $62/mo | 7.9 |
| 15 | Shortcut | Yes | $8.50/user/mo | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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