Comparison · Project management software

Jira vs monday.com: which is better in 2026?

monday.com ranks higher in our list of project management software (#3 against #5, score 89.5 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

  • 87.5
    Editorial score
    89.5
  • 1
    Platforms
    3
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Jira if you want

Software teams that run sprints and workflows.

The standard tool for software teams, with backlogs, Scrum and Kanban boards and custom workflows, free for up to 10 users. It feels heavy for small non-technical teams compared with Trello or Basecamp.

Choose monday.com if you want

Customizable boards for cross-functional teams.

Customizable boards with eight column types and a free plan for two seats. Costs rise with each seat, and the free plan is capped at three boards, unlike Trello's 10-board limit.

The main differences

  • Only monday.com runs on iOS.
  • Only monday.com runs on Android.

Side by side

Jiramonday.com
Score87.589.5
Rank in list#5 of 9#3 of 9
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree for up to 10 users; paid Standard, Premium and Enterprise plansFree plan, paid upgradesFree for up to two seats and three boards; paid plans from $9 per user a month
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWebWebWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Made byAtlassianmonday.com
Free planFree for up to 10 usersFree for 2 seats
Pricing modelTiered plansPer seat
Main viewsScrum and Kanban boardsBoards
Best forSoftware teams that run sprints and workflowsCustomizable boards for cross-functional teams
Strengths
  • Detailed workflows and issue tracking
  • Free plan for up to 10 users
  • Eight column types for custom boards
  • Free forever for up to two seats
Limits
  • Can feel heavy for small non-technical teams
  • Workflow setup takes admin effort
  • Seat-based pricing rises with team size
  • Free plan is limited to three boards
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Jira vs monday.com

Is monday.com better than Jira?
monday.com ranks higher in our list of project management software (#3 against #5, score 89.5 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Jira is best for: software teams that run sprints and workflows. monday.com is best for: customizable boards for cross-functional teams.
Which is cheaper, Jira or monday.com?
Jira: Free for up to 10 users; paid Standard, Premium and Enterprise plans. monday.com: Free for up to two seats and three boards; paid plans from $9 per user a month.
Do Jira and monday.com run on the same platforms?
Jira supports Web. monday.com supports Web, iOS, Android.