AppBreakup
Submit an app

Backlog alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Backlog: git hosting is basic compared with GitHub or GitLab, and free plan limited to one project. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Backlog, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Asana currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Asana logoAsanaFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +23 of 374.4
2Jira logoJiraFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android +21 of 361.8
  1. Asana logo

    1. AsanaTop pick

    Best for: Cross-functional teams running many projects in parallel

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    74.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Backlog

    Better for non-technical teams that do not need code hosting.

    Pros

    • Multiple project views
    • Portfolios and goals for leadership
    • Strong rules and forms

    Cons

    • Can feel heavy for simple to-do lists
    • Key features are on higher tiers
    Visit Asana Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Asana a good Backlog alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026asana.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Views
    List, board, timeline, calendar
    Checked Oct 24, 2026asana.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, desktop, mobile
    Checked Oct 24, 2026asana.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Jira logo

    2. Jira

    Best for: Engineering organizations that need configurable agile workflows

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Backlog

    More powerful workflows and integrations for larger engineering teams.

    Pros

    • Highly configurable workflows
    • Deep agile reporting
    • Huge app marketplace

    Cons

    • Complex to administer
    • Slower and heavier than newer trackers
    Visit Jira Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Jira a good Backlog alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, for small teams
    Not checked yetatlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Boards
    Scrum and kanban
    Not checked yetatlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Atlassian
    Checked Oct 24, 2026atlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Backlog alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Asana logo

Best Backlog alternative for most people

Asana

Better for non-technical teams that do not need code hosting.

Redmine logo

Best Backlog alternative for a free option

Redmine

Free, self-hosted tracker with similar issue and wiki features.

Jira logo

Best Backlog alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Jira

More powerful workflows and integrations for larger engineering teams.

OpenProject logo

Best Backlog alternative for open source

OpenProject

Open-source Gantt and issue tracking you can self-host.

Redmine logo

Best Backlog alternative for self-hosting

Redmine

Free, self-hosted tracker with similar issue and wiki features.

Asana logo

Best Backlog alternative for Mac

Asana

Better for non-technical teams that do not need code hosting.

Asana logo

Best Backlog alternative for Windows

Asana

Better for non-technical teams that do not need code hosting.

YouTrack logo

Best Backlog alternative for iPhone and Android

YouTrack

Free for up to 10 users with a richer query language.

Shortcut logo

Best Backlog alternative for working in the browser

Shortcut

Modern developer tracker with Git integrations.

Backlog alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Backlog?

Asana ranks first right now. Better for non-technical teams that do not need code hosting. Redmine and Jira follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Backlog?

Yes. Asana (free plan + paid), Redmine (open source), Jira (free plan + paid) and YouTrack (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Backlog?

Yes: Redmine and OpenProject. Redmine and OpenProject can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Backlog?

The complaints we hear most: git hosting is basic compared with GitHub or GitLab; free plan limited to one project; fewer integrations than the market leaders.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Backlog, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.