Backlog
Backlog by Nulab — Japanese-built project management platform with native Git/Subversion (SVN) integration, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and AI Assistant for engineering and technical product teams managing issues alongside source control.
Why We Picked Backlog
Backlog is Japan-built (Nulab, Fukuoka, founded 2004) and stands out for native Git + Subversion (SVN) repositories embedded in projects — rare in modern PM tools. 4M+ users across 190+ countries. AI Assistant (2,000 free credits/month, $60-$210/month for additional) lives in Premium and Enterprise tiers. Free forever covers 10 users + 1 project. Strong fit for engineering-led PM teams skipping Jira's complexity.
Key Features
- Track issues across Kanban boards and Gantt timelines
- Use native Git and Subversion (SVN) repositories per project
- Apply AI Assistant for issue summarization and content help (Premium+)
- Capture wikis, file storage, and pull-request workflows
- Manage milestones, parent-child issue hierarchies, and burndown charts
- Run mobile apps for iOS and Android with offline access
Specifications
| Core Competency | Engineering Project Management, Git-Native Issue Tracking, Technical PM Workflows, Hybrid Dev/QA Teams |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Funding | Public (Tokyo Stock Exchange, 5033.T) |
| Certifications | ISO 27001, GDPR |
| Pricing Model | tiered (monthly or annual; 17% off annual) |
| Free Tier | Available |
| Team Size | Small, Mid, Large |
Trust & Credibility
Founded: 2004 (22 years in operation)
Funding: Public (Tokyo Stock Exchange, 5033.T)
Team Size: 51-200 employees
Status: Publicly traded
Security & Compliance: ISO 27001 GDPR
Best For
Methodology Fit
How well Backlog supports each PM methodology, scored 1-5 based on feature depth and template availability. Backlog is strongest for Agile teams (5/5).
| Methodology | Score | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Agile | 5/5 | |
| Kanban | 5/5 | |
| Waterfall | 3/5 | |
| Hybrid | 4/5 | |
| SAFe | 3/5 |
AI Capability Depth
How deep Backlog's AI goes across five key dimensions, scored 1-5 based on feature analysis. Backlog is strongest in content generation and has the most room to grow in agentic ai.
| Capability | Score | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | 3/5 | |
| Predictive Analytics | 2/5 | |
| Content Generation | 4/5 | |
| Natural Language | 4/5 | |
| Agentic AI | 2/5 |
Use Cases
- Track engineering issues alongside Git and Subversion (SVN) commits in one tool
- Manage Gantt-charted project milestones with parent-child issue hierarchies
- Use AI Assistant to summarize long issue threads for status updates
- Embed project wikis next to issue trackers for technical documentation
- Run mobile-first issue triage with native iOS and Android apps
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Track issues across Kanban boards and Gantt timelines
- Use native Git and Subversion (SVN) repositories per project
- Apply AI Assistant for issue summarization and content help (Premium+)
- Capture wikis, file storage, and pull-request workflows
Cons
- Smaller user community and resources
- Free tier includes usage restrictions
Backlog Pricing (May 2026)
Pricing model: tiered (monthly or annual; 17% off annual)
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/forever |
|
| Starter | $35/month |
|
| Standard | $100/month |
|
| Premium | $175/month |
|
| Enterprise | Custom/custom |
|
What AI features does each tier include?
| Free | Core PM features only |
| Paid | Multiple projects, Gantt charts, advanced security |
| Enterprise | AI Assistant (2,000 credits/month free), unlimited projects, custom storage |
Pricing verified May 2026. Visit Backlog pricing page for current rates.
Pricing
For the most up-to-date pricing information, visit the Backlog pricing page.
Who is this for?
Teams looking to speed up planning and delivery with AI assistance.
Bottom line
Backlog suits focused use cases; compare against higher-scoring options if you need breadth.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Backlog
What is Backlog?
Backlog is an AI-powered project management platform that provides track issues across kanban boards and gantt timelines. It scores 72/100 in our expert analysis and is best for engineering project management, git-native issue tracking, technical pm workflows.
How much does Backlog cost?
Backlog has a free tier available, with paid plans starting from $35/month (Starter, monthly; 17% off annual). Pricing varies by team size and feature tier — check the official pricing page for current rates.
Is Backlog worth it?
Backlog scored 72/100 in our transparent 100-point methodology across capability depth, AI quality, ecosystem, UX, governance, and value. It is best suited for engineering project management, git-native issue tracking, technical pm workflows. Teams outside that profile may find better fit with alternatives.
Who is Backlog best for?
Backlog is best for engineering project management, git-native issue tracking, technical pm workflows. Our scoring rubric weights team size fit, methodology alignment, integration depth, and AI quality — Backlog's strongest dimensions align with these audiences.
What are the best alternatives to Backlog?
The top alternatives to Backlog are ClickUp, Klaviyo, Teikametrics — each scored in our directory for direct comparison.