Plane vs Jira
Is switching from Jira to Planeworth it? Here's a detailed comparison of pricing, features, and ownership.
Plane and Jira both serve issue tracking and agile project management, but they differ fundamentally in pricing and ownership. Jira costs $8/month ($96/year), while Plane is available for Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans. As an open-source tool, Plane's code is publicly auditable and community-driven. This comparison breaks down exactly what you gain, what you lose, and whether switching makes sense for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Switching to Plane saves you $96/year — $288 over 3 years
Jira costs
$96/yr
3-year cost
$288
Plane costs
Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans
Best for
- +Software teams
- +Startups
- +Users who want a modern PM tool
Not ideal for
- −Enterprise teams needing extensive integrations
- −Atlassian ecosystem users
Feature Comparison
| Feature | JiraSubscription | PlaneAlternative |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8/mo $96/year | Freemium· Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop (typical) | WebSelf-hosted |
| Offline Support | Limited (typical) | ✓Full offline |
| Open Source | No | ✓Open source |
| Ownership | Renting | Full ownership |
| Cloud Dependency | High (typical) | Mostly offline |
| Migration | — | Easy |
Pricing
Jira
$8/mo
$96/year
Plane
Freemium· Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plansPlatforms
Jira
Web, Desktop (typical)Plane
Offline Support
Jira
Limited (typical)Plane
✓Full offlineOpen Source
Jira
NoPlane
✓Open sourceOwnership
Jira
RentingPlane
Full ownershipCloud Dependency
Jira
High (typical)Plane
Mostly offlineMigration
Jira
—Plane
EasySwitching Analysis
+What you gain with Plane
- +Modern UI
- +Self-hostable
- +No per-seat pricing
- +Active development
−What you lose
- −Fewer integrations
- −Newer product
- −Less enterprise features
Who Should Switch?
✓Good candidates for Plane
- +Software teams
- +Startups
- +Users who want a modern PM tool
✗Should keep using Jira
- −Enterprise teams needing extensive integrations
- −Atlassian ecosystem users
Migration Guide
Switching from Jira to Plane is rated as easy. Here's how to make the move:
Export your data
Go to Jira's settings and export your data in CSV, PDF, or native format. Most tools support bulk export.
Install Plane
Download Plane from the official website. It costs Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans — a one-time purchase.
Import and configure
Import your exported data into Plane. Set up your preferences, shortcuts, and workflows to match your existing setup.
Run in parallel
Use both tools side-by-side for a week or two. This lets you verify everything works before fully switching.
Cancel subscription
Once you're confident Plane meets your needs, cancel your Jira subscription. You've escaped the subscription!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plane a good alternative to Jira?
Yes, Plane is a solid alternative to Jira. It offers a free tier with open source code, making it a great choice for users looking to escape subscriptions. Plane handles the core functionality that most Jira users rely on daily.
How much can I save by switching from Jira to Plane?
Switching from Jira ($96/year) to Plane (Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans) can save you approximately $96 per year, or $288 over three years. The savings start immediately with zero upfront cost.
What do I lose by switching from Jira to Plane?
The main trade-offs include: Fewer integrations, Newer product, Less enterprise features. However, Plane still covers the core functionality most users need. The gaps are typically in advanced features and ecosystem integrations, not daily-use capabilities.
Can I migrate my data from Jira to Plane?
Yes. Most Jira data can be exported in standard formats (CSV, PDF, or native format) and imported into Plane. The migration difficulty is rated as easy, so it should be straightforward.
Is Plane a one-time purchase?
Yes, Plane costs Free self-hosted; cloud free trial and paid plans. You pay once and own it forever — no monthly or annual subscription fees.
Does Plane work on the same platforms as Jira?
Plane is available on web, self hosted. Check the official website for the most up-to-date platform support.
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Ready to stop renting Jira?
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