Jira Software vs Jira
TL;DR
Jira Software (75/100) and Jira (74/100) score within a narrow band — the right pick depends more on which workflows you weight heaviest than on raw capability. AI depth is comparable (2.8/5 vs 3.0/5), so AI capability is unlikely to be the decider — integration footprint and pricing usually break the tie. Both tools offer free tiers, so cost-of-entry is a wash — paid-tier feature parity and team-size economics are the deciding factors.
Jira Software
Quick Verdict
Jira Software excels at project management and large teams with a score of 75/100.
Jira
Quick Verdict
Jira excels at product management and large teams with a score of 74/100.
Capabilities & Controls
| Aspect | Jira Software | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| Agile Fit | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kanban Fit | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Waterfall Fit | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| AI Depth (avg) | 2.8/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Founded | 2002 | 2002 |
Core Features Comparison
Jira Software Features
- Agile boards, roadmaps, and reports
- AI summaries and ticket drafting
- Advanced workflows and automation
- Deep developer ecosystem support
Jira Features
- Idea capture, scoring, and prioritization
- Customer feedback links and evidence
- Roadmaps tied to Jira Software delivery
- AI summaries and insights
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Jira Software | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier Limits | Up to 10 users, 2GB storage | Up to 10 users, basic idea capture and prioritization |
| Starting Paid Price | $8.15/user/month | $10/user/month |
| Pricing URL | View Jira Software Pricing | View Jira Pricing |
| Overall Score | 75/100 | 74/100 |
| Best For | Project Management, Large Teams, Agile Teams | Product Management, Large Teams, Strategic Planning |
Best Use Cases
Jira Software Excels At
- Project Management workflows
- Large Teams workflows
- Agile Teams workflows
Jira Excels At
- Product Management workflows
- Large Teams workflows
- Strategic Planning workflows
Integrations & Governance
| Category | Jira Software | Jira | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Robust | Robust | Tie |
| Governance | Enterprise | Enterprise | Tie |
| Overall Score | 75/100 | 74/100 | Jira Software |
How to Decide Between Jira Software and Jira
Four questions usually settle the choice between these two. The answers below are computed from per-tool data, not editorial opinion — adjust weighting based on what matters most for your context.
Question 1: What's your team size?
Both Jira Software and Jira target broadly similar team sizes. The distinction at the team-size axis is minor — feature fit and pricing usually decide before headcount becomes the constraint.
Question 2: What's your primary delivery methodology?
Both tools score similarly on methodology fit (agile 5/5 vs 5/5, kanban 5/5 vs 5/5). Methodology won't be the decider here — feature mix and AI depth usually settle it.
Question 3: How AI-heavy is your workflow?
AI depth is comparable (2.8/5 vs 3.0/5), so AI capability won't tip the decision. Focus on which AI features specifically map to your workflow rather than the aggregate score.
Question 4: How sensitive are you on pricing?
Both tools offer free tiers, so cost-of-entry is a wash. The pricing distinction shows up at paid tiers — review the pricing comparison above for plan-by-plan breakdown, paying attention to per-seat vs flat pricing models if your team size will fluctuate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jira Software cheaper than Jira?
Both Jira Software and Jira offer free tiers. Differences appear at paid tiers — see the pricing table above for plan-by-plan comparison and starting paid prices.
Which scores higher, Jira Software or Jira?
Jira Software scores 75/100 vs 74/100 for Jira on our 100-point methodology — a 1-point margin reflecting stronger fit across capability depth, AI quality, integrations, and value.
Which has better AI features for product managers?
Jira (3.0/5 average AI depth) edges Jira Software (2.8/5) on our AI capability score — meaningful if you are choosing for AI-driven workflows like deck generation, summarization, or predictive analytics.
Which fits agile and kanban teams better?
For agile teams, Jira Software scores 5/5 vs 5/5 for Jira. For kanban, Jira Software scores 5/5 vs 5/5 for Jira. Both tools fit common agile and kanban methodologies equally well.
What does Jira Software excel at that Jira doesn't?
Jira Software is positioned around project management, agile teams — areas where Jira doesn't market itself as the primary fit. PMs working primarily in those areas should weight Jira Software higher.
What does Jira excel at that Jira Software doesn't?
Jira is positioned around product management, strategic planning — areas where Jira Software doesn't market itself as the primary fit. PMs working primarily in those areas should weight Jira higher.
Other Comparisons in This Category
Still narrowing the field? Here are head-to-head matchups against the next-highest-scoring Project Management tools in our directory.
The Bottom Line
Both Jira Software and Jira are capable AI PM tools. Jira Software scores higher and is stronger for project management and large teams.
Choose Jira Software if
you prioritize project management and large teams and want the higher-rated option (75/100).
Choose Jira if
you prioritize product management and large teams and prefer its feature mix despite a lower score.