Choosing Jira tool for testing: Overview of 13 tools + best practices

Updated: February 9, 2024

You’ve probably heard about Jira as a project management software. However, did you know it also serves as a functional testing tool? 

In this article, we will explore the essential pros and cons of using Jira as a test management tool. We will also explain how to choose a Jira tool for testing, along with examples of these tools.

When you want to use Jira for testing, there are two main options:

The first approach involves using Jira’s native issue-tracking feature to manage testing activities.  You may create tasks for testing that are related to the development issues, or, you can use customized issue types.

Jira isn’t dedicated solely to testing. Instead, it’s an integrated platform that manages projects, users, and workflows cohesively.

People like using it because of its adaptability and customizable fields. Instead of juggling separate tools for requirements, testing, and managing project schedules, teams can consolidate all data in one place. And that’s a huge advantage.

But, if a team has a lot of complicated testing to do, there could be some problems with using only Jira for test management.

Jira is a money-saver because it lets you do everything in one place. Instead of using different apps and tools, just set up Jira and start using it quickly. It’s a budget-friendly choice compared to other tools made just for test management.

Standalone testing apps have a major issue. They often require teams to prepare data, manage members, and organize workflows externally. But, by shifting the process to Jira, you can meet all your needs within minutes.

Test management relies on well-designed and flexible workflows. Additionally, by implementing testing processes in Jira, you offer a familiar, all-in-one platform. In this context, requirements, test cases, defects, Epics, and user stories seamlessly link. You can customize workflows. This makes collaboration between analysts, testers, and developers much easier.

Jira offers a transparent, user-friendly interface. The apps are intuitive and easy to learn. If your team already uses Jira for project management and development, it’s smart to use it also for test management. By doing so, you can save both time and money, as there’s no need for extra training.

In Jira, everything is well-connected – issues, requirements, and test cases. It makes managing projects, reporting issues, and getting feedback smooth. Your team will surely appreciate continuity and transparency. They can execute test plans, manage code repositories, and get more tasks done in a shorter time. 

Jira’s native issue-tracking functionality is not designed for test case management. Organizing and planning tests can be complex. To do that without additional plugins, there are two options:

If you want to use test case management tool again in Jira, it’s not so easy. While you can copy them from one place to another, it gets slow when dealing with a bunch of issues for a full test.

Also, these copied issues don’t keep track of how well the tests did over time. It makes it hard to spot trends and make testing more efficient.

If you’re using tools like Cucumber for BDD or frameworks like JUnit for automated tests, it’s not easy to blend these with the rest of the manual testing you’re tracking in Jira. It can lead to silos within the QA team and make it difficult to get a holistic view of the testing process.

Jira lacks built-in reports for showing how many tests cover certain requirements. It also lacks built-in reports for traceability. You might need other tools or manual work for these reports.

Overall, Jira can be a useful tool for basic test management, but it is not ideal for complex testing needs. If you need to track many cases or use automation, you might need a dedicated test management tool.

AIO Tests offers a range of features suitable for diverse testing needs. From testing using cases, sets, and cycles to executions.

Key features:

ALM – Test Management for Jira increases visibility into quality processes managed in ALM/Quality Center. It integrates vital information into Jira’s native epics, stories, issues, or custom types.

Key features:

Infodation is a test management application designed specifically for Jira Cloud. It simplifies solutions for Test Design and Test Automation processes.

Key features:

PractiTest stands as a comprehensive End-to-End Test Management solution. It complements Jira with test management for automated and manual testing processes.

Key features:

Best for linking requirements & user stories to tests

QAlity Plus offers a blend of test creation and bug reporting. It lets you plan and execute tests, integrating directly with Jira issues. 

Key features:

TestRail increases visibility and control between QA and Development teams. It acts as a single source of truth for quality. It provides full control over their test management processes.

Key features:

TestRay focuses on end-to-end test management in Agile and DevOps team environments. It offers a robust set of features for managing tests and requirements.

Key features:

Tricentis brings AI power to full-cycle test management. It helps teams plan, evaluate, monitor, and launch quality software. 

Key features:

Best for managing test cases and requirements as Jira issues

Xray is a complete solution for native test management. It helps teams plan, test, track, and release error-free software.

Key features:

Best for using Jira native issue types to manage testing artifacts

Zephyr offers essential test management tools integrated within Jira. It helps ensure efficiency and collaboration throughout the testing lifecycle.

Key features:

Requirements and Test Management for Jira (RTM) is a functional test management tool. It integrates the entire software project within Jira. It encompasses requirements, development, and reporting.

Key features:

TestFLO is a fully customizable test management solution. It facilitates the complete test process in Jira. It offers tracking from start to finish. This app uses custom fields and workflows. It helps teams execute complex testing processes.

You can keep the test repository, test execution, and requirements in separate Jira projects. Or, you can combine them based on your team’s preferences.

Key features:

The right Jira test management tool can increase your team’s testing efficiency. It can also improve your software quality. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to find the perfect solution. Here are some best practices for choosing a Jira test management tool. They can help you make an informed decision.

Start by identifying the essential capabilities you need from a Jira test management tool. These may include test case management, test execution, test reports, automation, and collaboration. After that dive into more advanced features.

Ensure the tool integrates with your existing Jira instance. It should allow for data exchange and workflow synchronization. This will minimize the need for manual data entry and improve overall efficiency.

Check the availability of critical features. It can be customizable dashboards, comprehensive reporting, test automation integration, and collaborative tools.

As your team and projects grow, your testing needs will evolve. Choose a tool that can handle the increasing number of users and project volumes.

Data security is important, especially when handling sensitive information. Evaluate the tool’s data encryption. Evaluate its user access control. Evaluate its compliance with security standards. Check if it offers detailed logs.

Choose tools with a user-friendly interface. This will make navigation to manage test cases, execute tests, and analyze results efficiently. Look for tools that offer templates and pre-built frameworks. These will streamline the testing process.

Compare pricing models, including per-user fees, flat monthly rates, and free options. Choose a model that aligns with your team’s size, budget, and usage needs.

Gather insights from reviews, user feedback, and industry experts. This will help you understand each tool’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall user experience.

Although Jira isn’t a dedicated test management tool, you can customize it with apps. Jira’s core purpose is managing workflows and data. This makes it an excellent foundation for streamlined testing processes. Using a single platform to track development, requirements, and tests is undoubtedly beneficial for your team. It is also economically wise.