Teamwork vs. Jira: a data-backed comparison

Explore how Teamwork and Jira compare in terms of features, pricing, adoption trends, and ideal use cases to help you determine which project management tool is best for your team.

Teamwork vs. Smartsheet at a glance

Both Teamwork and Jira offer strong project management capabilities, but they are different in their approaches to task management.

Teamwork excels in client-focused project collaboration with intuitive timelines and budgeting tools, while Jira specializes in agile development with sprint planning and technical issue tracking for software teams.

Metrics

Teamwork

Jira

Relative cost

27% lower cost than category average

Adoption trend

18% QoQ adoption growth

8% QoQ adoption growth

Primary user segment

39% of users are SMB

Best for

Teams managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders who need integrated time tracking, resource planning, and client collaboration in one platform.

Organizations of all sizes seeking ticketing systems, developer support tools, and agile project management platforms that scale with team growth and evolving needs.

Teamwork overview

Teamwork is a project management platform designed for teams handling client-facing projects or time-sensitive deliverables. It combines task management, time tracking, invoicing, and workload planning into one interface.

With features like Gantt charts, task dependencies, and integrated time logs, Teamwork supports teams managing detailed timelines, budgets, and multi-phase projects across different departments.

Teamwork key features

Features

Description

Client management

Includes built-in CRM tools to store client information, manage interactions, and grant project access.

Task and project planning

Supports Gantt charts, task dependencies, and timelines to organize and manage projects from start to finish.

Time tracking and invoicing

Tracks hours spent on tasks and generates invoices directly within the platform.

Collaboration tools

Provides team chat, file sharing, and threaded discussions within project workspaces.

Custom workflows

Offers customizable templates, task statuses, and reporting formats to suit different industries and teams.

Resource and workload management

Displays team availability and task assignments across multiple projects

Jira overview

Jira is a project management and issue tracking tool built primarily for software development teams. It enables users to manage agile workflows with features like Scrum and Kanban boards, sprint planning, and customizable workflows.

Jira excels in tracking bugs, managing backlogs, and aligning development tasks with broader product roadmaps. Its deep integration with development tools makes it ideal for engineering teams looking to streamline their release cycles.

Jira key features

Features

Description

Agile boards

Customizable Scrum and Kanban boards for sprint planning and visualizing workflows.

Issue tracking

Tracks bugs, tasks, and stories with custom fields, filters, and audit trails.

Workflow engine

Custom issue workflows with conditional transitions and automated actions.

Roadmaps

Visual timeline tools for planning product features and releases.

Development tools integration

Connects with GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins, and Bamboo to link tasks with code activities.

JQL (Jira Query Language)

SQL-like query language for creating complex searches and custom reports.

Pros and cons

Tool

Pros

Cons

Teamwork

  • Comprehensive project management tools including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and templates.
  • Built-in time tracking for accurate productivity and budget analysis.
  • Advanced reporting with customizable insights on performance and resources.
  • Strong collaboration via chat, file sharing, and integrations with Slack and Google Workspace.
  • Scalable pricing plans that support teams from startups to enterprises.

  • Steep learning curve and a dense interface for new users.
  • Performance can lag with large volumes of projects and tasks.
  • Limited project view options compared to some competitors.
  • Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features.
  • No centralized control or enforcement of two-factor authentication (2FA).

Jira

  • Comprehensive agile boards (Scrum, Kanban)
  • Powerful issue and bug tracking system
  • Customizable workflows for development processes
  • Advanced reporting and sprint planning
  • Extensive integration with developer tools
  • Overly complex for non-technical teams
  • Requires significant setup and configuration
  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Can feel cluttered for simple projects
  • Expensive for small teams

Use case scenarios

Teamwork and Jira both offer powerful project management capabilities, but they cater to different types of teams based on how work is structured and who the end users are.

When Teamwork is the better choice

  • Best for teams managing client-facing projects or billable work
  • Built-in time tracking, invoicing, and budget management
  • Supports multiple projects with granular client permissions
  • Ideal for service-oriented workflows needing transparency and delivery tracking

When Jira is the better choice

  • Tailored for technical teams working on structured, iterative projects
  • Powerful agile support: Scrum boards, sprints, backlog management
  • Strong integration with development tools and workflows
  • Best for engineering, IT, or product teams managing complex internal systems

Other project management tools

  • Monday.com: A flexible work management system that supports visual workflows, automation, and customizable views. It’s well-suited for teams seeking both structure and adaptability.
  • Smartsheet: Brings the ease of spreadsheets to project management, with features like Gantt charts, automation, and real-time dashboards. Best for teams handling data-heavy or operationally complex projects.
  • Asana: Offers timeline-based workflows, task dependencies, and visual task tracking for teams managing structured projects.
  • Wrike: A project management platform with capabilities for time tracking, workload balancing, and advanced analytics. Ideal for teams that need detailed visibility into project execution.
  • Airtable: Blends the simplicity of spreadsheets with powerful database functionality. Great for teams managing complex data sets, with support for custom views, automation, and integrations.
  • Zoho Projects: Delivers full-scale project management with built-in automation, time tracking, and integration with Zoho’s CRM. A solid choice for businesses looking for a unified software ecosystem.
  • Microsoft Project: An enterprise-grade solution offering advanced planning, resource management, and scheduling tools. Best for large teams working on intricate, time-sensitive initiatives.
  • ClickUp: An all-in-one productivity platform that adapts to different workflows. It offers automation, multiple task views, and goal tracking, making it ideal for growing teams.
  • Trello: A simple, visual task tracker using Kanban boards. Ideal for small teams or individuals who want an easy-to-use tool for managing daily tasks.
  • Notion: Combines documentation, task tracking, and databases into a single workspace. Perfect for teams looking for a customizable, collaborative environment to manage projects and knowledge.

Time is money. Save both.