ClickUp vs Jira: Which Project Management Tool Is Better in 2026?

ClickUp

From $7

Jira

From $7.53

Quick verdict

Overall pick: ClickUp

Pick ClickUp if you want one workspace covering tasks, docs, goals, and client access, since it includes docs and guest access that Jira does not. Pick Jira if your team runs agile software sprints and issue tracking is the core need. Both start at roughly the same per-seat price, so the decision hinges on whether built-in docs and guest access matter more than a software-focused tracking tool.

ClickUp's entry plan ($7) is 7% cheaper than Jira's ($7.53).
Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
Only ClickUp offers: built-in docs / wiki, guest / client access.

Try ClickUp →Try Jira →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
ClickUp · per user	$35.00	$420
Jira · per user	$37.65	$452

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Agency managing client projects with external stakeholders	ClickUp	ClickUp offers guest/client access and built-in docs, both of which Jira lacks.
Software team running agile sprints	Jira	Jira is positioned for software teams and agile sprints, with issue and project tracking as its focus.
Team replacing several separate tools with one workspace	ClickUp	ClickUp covers kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI, and API in one product.
Buyer wanting the lowest starting per-seat price	ClickUp	ClickUp starts at $7 per seat versus $7.53 per seat for Jira.
Team needing a public API and workflow automations	Tie	Both tools list a public API and workflow automations as included features.

Feature comparison: ClickUp vs Jira

Feature	ClickUp	Jira
Free plan	✅	✅
Starting price	$7 /user/mo	$7.53 /user/mo
Kanban boards	✅	✅
Gantt / timeline view	✅	✅
Native time tracking	✅	✅
Built-in docs / wiki	✅	—
Workflow automations	✅	✅
Guest / client access	✅	—
AI assistant	✅	✅
Public API	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

ClickUp

Includes the full feature set: kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI assistant, and API.
Lower starting price at $7 per seat compared with $7.53 for Jira.
Built-in docs and guest/client access suit agencies and teams serving external clients.

Billing is per seat, so cost scales with team size.
Positioned as an all-in-one workspace rather than a dedicated software issue tracker.

Try ClickUp →

Jira

Focused on issue and project tracking for software teams and agile sprints.
Includes kanban, Gantt, time tracking, automations, AI assistant, and API.
Offers a free plan alongside its $7.53 per-seat starting price.

No built-in docs or wiki.
No guest/client access.
Starting price of $7.53 per seat is slightly higher than ClickUp's $7.

Try Jira →

At a glance

ClickUp

All-in-one workspace for tasks, docs and goals.

Founded 2017 · From $7 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: agencies, teams replacing several tools

See ClickUp alternatives →

Jira

Issue and project tracking for software teams.

Founded 2002 · From $7.53 · 6/8 tracked features

Best for: software teams, agile sprints

See Jira alternatives →

FAQ

Is ClickUp cheaper than Jira?

ClickUp starts at $7 per seat and Jira at $7.53 per seat, so ClickUp's starting price is slightly lower. Both bill per seat and both offer a free plan.

Does Jira include built-in docs or guest access?

No. Jira's feature set does not include built-in docs/wiki or guest/client access, while ClickUp includes both.

Which tool is better for software teams?

Jira is positioned for software teams and agile sprints with issue and project tracking. ClickUp covers the same core views plus docs and guest access, so the choice depends on whether you need those extras.

Do both tools have a public API and automations?

Yes. Both ClickUp and Jira list workflow automations and a public API as included features.

Do both tools offer a free plan?

Yes, both ClickUp and Jira offer a free plan.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Project Management tools →