JIRA vs Mattermost: What are the differences?

Introduction

JIRA and Mattermost are both popular software tools used in the field of project management and team collaboration. Although both serve similar purposes, there are key differences between them that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will discuss the main differences between JIRA and Mattermost in detail.

1. Integration with Other Tools: One of the significant differences between JIRA and Mattermost is their integration capabilities with other tools. JIRA offers extensive integrations with a wide range of software and tools, allowing users to seamlessly connect JIRA with their existing development, testing, and deployment tools. On the other hand, Mattermost has limited integrations available, primarily focused on team productivity and communication tools.

2. Workflow Management: JIRA is renowned for its advanced workflow management capabilities. It provides a highly customizable and flexible workflow engine that allows teams to define and automate their unique processes. Mattermost, on the other hand, lacks a native workflow management feature. While it supports certain workflow elements through integrations, it does not offer the same level of customization and control as JIRA.

3. Focus on Issue Tracking: JIRA is heavily focused on issue tracking and project management features. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities for tracking and managing tasks, bugs, and other project-related issues. In contrast, Mattermost emphasizes team communication and collaboration, providing features like real-time messaging, file sharing, and project channels. While Mattermost does offer basic issue tracking capabilities, it is not as robust as JIRA in that regard.

4. Pricing Structure: The pricing structure is another area where JIRA and Mattermost differ. JIRA has a more complex and tiered pricing structure, with different plans catering to varied user needs. It offers both cloud-based and self-hosted options, each with its own pricing model. Mattermost, on the other hand, follows a simpler pricing approach. It provides a self-hosted solution with free and paid plans based on the number of users.

5. Deployment Options: JIRA provides users with multiple deployment options. It offers both cloud-based and self-hosted deployment models, giving users the flexibility to choose the option that aligns with their preferences and requirements. Mattermost, on the other hand, primarily focuses on self-hosted deployments. While they do offer a cloud-based option, it is limited in terms of features and customization compared to the self-hosted version.

6. Market Presence: JIRA is considered a market leader in the project management and issue tracking domain. It has a vast user base, including both small teams and large enterprises, and is widely recognized and used in various industries. Mattermost, although growing in popularity, is still relatively new and does not have the same level of market presence and widespread adoption as JIRA.

In summary, JIRA stands out with its extensive integration options, advanced workflow management capabilities, and strong focus on issue tracking. Mattermost, on the other hand, excels in team communication and collaboration features. The pricing structure, deployment options, and market presence also vary between the two, making them suitable for different organizational needs and preferences.