Azure Boards vs Jira: What are the differences?

Azure Boards and Jira are both popular project management tools used by software development teams. Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Supported platforms: Azure Boards is a part of Azure DevOps, a comprehensive set of development tools provided by Microsoft. It integrates well with other Azure services and is aimed at teams working on Microsoft-centric projects. On the other hand, Jira is a standalone product offered by Atlassian and is platform-agnostic, making it suitable for teams working on various platforms.

2. Pricing: Azure Boards is included as a part of the Azure DevOps suite, and its pricing is based on the usage of that suite. This means that if you are already using other Azure DevOps services, you may have access to Azure Boards at no additional cost. Jira, on the other hand, has separate pricing plans based on the number of users and additional features required.

3. Customization and extensibility: Both Azure Boards and Jira offer a high level of customization and extensibility. However, Azure Boards provides a more seamless integration with other Azure services, allowing teams to leverage additional functionality. On the other hand, Jira has a wider range of third-party plugins and integrations available, allowing teams to tailor the platform to their specific needs.

4. Agile methodologies: Azure Boards has a strong focus on Agile methodologies and provides powerful features for managing Agile workflows and processes. It seamlessly integrates with Azure Repos and Azure Pipelines to provide end-to-end Agile project management capabilities. Jira, on the other hand, has been the market leader in Agile project management for a long time and offers extensive support for various Agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban.

5. User interface and user experience: Azure Boards has a clean and intuitive user interface, following the design patterns of other Microsoft products. It provides a familiar experience for users who are already accustomed to other Microsoft tools. Jira has a more customizable interface with a wide range of options for configuring dashboards and workflows. It may require more customization to match the preferences of different teams.

6. Community and support: Jira has a larger and more active user community compared to Azure Boards. This means there are more resources, forums, and online communities available for troubleshooting, sharing best practices, and seeking help. Azure Boards, being a part of the Microsoft ecosystem, benefits from the wider Azure community but may have a smaller dedicated user community compared to Jira.

In summary, Azure Boards is a project management tool within the Azure DevOps suite, offering agile planning and tracking capabilities, particularly suitable for teams working within the Microsoft ecosystem. Jira, on the other hand, is a widely used project management and issue tracking tool developed by Atlassian, known for its extensive customization options, robust workflow management, and integrations with various development tools and services. While Azure Boards integrates seamlessly with other Azure DevOps services, Jira provides more flexibility and customization for diverse team workflows.