We've all experienced it - that frustrating moment when an app or software just doesn't work as it should. Software bugs can be pesky, elusive, and downright maddening. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, identifying and fixing these bugs is more critical than ever for maintaining a competitive edge.
Fear not; bug tracking tools are here to save the day! These powerful software solutions are designed to streamline the bug management process, from detection to resolution, ensuring that your team stays on top of those irksome insects every step of the way.
In this article, we'll delve into the world of bug tracking tools, explore their significance in modern software development, and present the top 22 bug tracking solutions of 2023.
Ready to exterminate those bugs? Let's dive in!
Top Advantages of Using a Bug Tracking Software
Bug tracking software has become an indispensable tool for software developers, testers, and project managers alike. These specialized solutions offer a wealth of benefits that can streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and ultimately lead to higher-quality software.
Here are the top advantages of implementing bug tracking software in your development process.
- Improved Efficiency: Bug tracking tools centralize bug reporting and management, enabling teams to quickly identify, prioritize, and resolve issues. This results in reduced downtime and accelerated development cycles.
- Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: Bug tracking software provides a shared platform to encourage collaboration between team members, fostering an environment of transparency and open communication. This helps to minimize miscommunication and ensures that all stakeholders stay informed about bug status.
- Increased Accountability: Assigning responsibility for specific bugs to individual team members promotes a sense of ownership and accountability. With a clear understanding of their responsibilities, team members can work more effectively toward resolving issues.
- Better Quality Control: Bug tracking tools facilitate tracking bug history and resolution progress, enabling teams to identify recurring issues and trends. This allows for targeted improvements in the development process, ultimately resulting in higher-quality software.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Most bug tracking software includes robust reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into the overall health of your software projects. These reports can be used to drive data-driven decision-making and prioritize resources effectively.
Utilizing Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheets for bug tracking may be a possible solution, but their capabilities are limited. Development teams require a comprehensive bug tracking system or defect tracking tools to manage software defects effectively.
Let us explore the available bug tracking software options that can help your team maintain agility and stay well-informed.
Top 22 Bug Tracking Tools in 2023
1. ruttl
ruttl is an innovative and comprehensive bug tracking tool that has gained significant popularity in 2023. It streamlines the process of identifying, reporting, and resolving software defects, facilitating seamless collaboration among team members.
ruttl has been designed with both developers and designers in mind, ensuring that every member of your team can contribute effectively to the bug tracking and resolution process.
Top Features
ruttl offers a range of powerful features to enhance your bug tracking experience:
- Visual Bug Reporting: ruttl allows users to report bugs directly on live websites with annotations, making pinpointing and addressing issues easier.
- Collaboration Tools: ruttl offers real-time collaboration, enabling team members to work together efficiently on bug reports and fixes.
- Task Assignment: Assign tasks to individual team members, streamlining the bug resolution process.
- Integration: ruttl seamlessly integrates with popular project management tools such as Trello, Asana, and Jira, allowing you to incorporate bug tracking into your existing workflows.
- Filter and Search: Use ruttl's advanced filtering and search capabilities to locate specific bug reports or issues quickly.
- Version Control: Keep track of changes and revisions with ruttl's built-in version control system.
- Mobile app feedback: Quickly report and track bugs on your mobile apps and seamlessly integrate them into your desktop workflow.
Pricing
ruttl offers a flexible pricing structure to suit individual creators, startups, and larger teams:
- Free Plan: $0 per month, billed monthly. This plan is designed for individual creators and includes essential features to get started with bug tracking.
- Standard Plan: $39 per month, billed monthly. The Standard plan is tailored for startups and smaller teams, offering comprehensive features for effective bug tracking and management.
- Pro Plan: $79 per month, billed monthly. The Pro plan is ideal for teams seeking unlimited benefits and access to all available features, facilitating optimal bug tracking and resolution.
Rating
5/5 (g2)
2. Jira
Jira is a widely recognized project management and bug tracking tool developed by Atlassian. It is specifically designed to cater to the needs of agile software development teams. Jira's versatile and customizable platform allows users to track, manage, and resolve bugs effectively, ensuring timely project delivery.
Top Features
- Create personalized workflows that match their specific bug tracking and resolution processes.
- Integrations with other Atlassian products and numerous third-party tools Issue tracker that helps teams prioritize, assign, and resolve bugs efficiently.
- A comprehensive range of reports and dashboards Dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android
Pricing
- Free Plan: For small teams with up to 10 users, offering essential features and 2 GB of storage.
- Standard Plan: $5 per user/month, billed monthly, designed for growing teams, with additional features and 250 GB of storage.
Review
4.3/5 (g2)
3. Bugzilla
Bugzilla is an open-source bug tracking system developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It is a reliable and time-tested solution for managing software defects, used by numerous organizations across various industries. Bugzilla emphasizes simplicity and efficiency in bug tracking and resolution.
Top Features
- Search functionality
- Automated email notifications for bug updates
- Create custom fields to capture specific information related to bugs
- Built-in time tracking feature
- Robust security features
Pricing
Bugzilla is an open-source solution and is available free of charge. Users can download and install the software on their servers without paying any licensing fees.
Review
3.9/5 (g2)
4. Redmine
Redmine is an open-source project management and bug tracking tool that provides a flexible and robust platform for managing software defects. Redmine's powerful features and customizable nature make it suitable for organizations of all sizes across various industries.
Top Features
- Users can create custom fields, workflows, and issue statuses
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Time tracking functionality
- Integration with numerous third-party tools, including version control systems like Git and Subversion
- Granular access control
Pricing
Redmine is an open-source solution and is available free of charge. Users can download and install the software on their servers without any licensing fees.
Review
4/5 (g2)
5. MantisBT
MantisBT is an open-source, web-based bug tracking system that offers a simple yet powerful interface for managing software defects. Organizations of all sizes widely use it due to its flexibility and robust feature set.
MantisBT is a popular choice for teams looking for a straightforward bug-tracking solution that can be easily customized to fit their needs.
Top Features
- Customizable issue fields
- Multiple project support
- Built-in reporting and graphing tools
- Integration with version control systems such as Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.
- Mobile-friendly interface for easy bug tracking on the go.
Pricing
MantisBT is open-source and free to use. Users can self-host the software on their own servers without any licensing fees.
Review
4/5 (g2)
6. Backlog
Backlog is a comprehensive project management and bug tracking tool designed to improve collaboration and streamline workflows for software development teams.
Backlog stands out for its all-in-one approach, offering bug tracking, project management, version control, and team collaboration features in a single platform.
Top Features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Git and SVN repository integration
- Built-in Gantt charts and burndown charts for progress tracking
- Customizable notifications
- Team collaboration features, such as comment threads and file sharing
Pricing
Backlog offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting at $35 per month, depending on the number of users and projects.
Review
4.5 (g2)
7. GitLab
GitLab, as the name suggests, is a bug tracking tool comparable to GitHub. It excels in fostering project collaboration and monitoring issues, with a key distinction being its all-in-one approach.
This dual-edged nature can be both beneficial and limiting: if you're seeking a more comprehensive, feature-rich experience, GitLab is the ideal choice, but that doesn't diminish the value of GitHub either.
Like GitHub, be prepared for a learning curve when adopting GitLab as your bug tracking tool.
Top Features
- Built-in issue tracker.
- Integration with GitLab's version control and continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) tools for a seamless workflow.
- Customizable issue boards
- Time tracking to monitor time spent on bug resolution
- Advanced search and filtering options
Pricing
GitLab offers a free tier with basic features and paid plans starting at $4 per user per month, depending on the feature set and support level required.
Review
4.5/5 (g2)
8. Bitbucket
Bitbucket shares many similarities with GitLab, making it an effective bug tracking tool with some unique advantages. Its seamless integration with Jira and Trello sets it apart from other options, enhancing its functionality and appeal.
Combining this smooth integration with its competitive pricing and user-friendly interface, it's easy to see why teams might choose Bitbucket as their preferred defect tracking solution. As a bug tracking tool, Bitbucket delivers a comprehensive and efficient experience for managing and resolving software issues.
Top Features
- Track and manage bugs
- Integration with Atlassian suite
- Easy repository management
- Version controlling
Pricing
Bitbucket offers three pricing plans:
- Free plan
- Standard ($2 per user/month with enhanced features)
- Premium ($5 per user/month with advanced features and more build minutes)
Review
4.4/5 (g2)
9. Trac
Trac is a bug tracking tool that believes in simplicity and minimalism. It aims to impose as little as possible on the user, making it an easy-to-use system. With its minimalist approach, Trac offers a variety of features that can be helpful for your projects.
If you are not intimidated by the prospect of performing your own custom installation, Trac might just be the perfect bug tracking tool for you.
Top Features
- Wiki-based documentation and knowledge sharing for better team collaboration.
- Seamless integration with Subversion and Git for version control.
- Customizable ticket system for managing bugs and feature requests.
- Built-in timeline and roadmap views for project progress tracking.
- Extensible plugin architecture for adding custom functionality.
Pricing
Trac is open-source and free to use. Users can self-host the software on their own servers without any licensing fees.
Review
3/5 (g2)
10. Axosoft
Axosoft is an agile project management and bug reporting tool that helps development teams streamline workflows and improve collaboration. Catering to businesses of different sizes and sectors, this platform provides a cohesive way to manage projects from inception to completion.
Top Features
Customizable card view for organizing and prioritizing issues. Built-in Git and SVN integration for seamless version control and bug tracking. Time tracking and estimation features for better resource management. Robust reporting tools, including burndown charts and velocity tracking. Integration with popular third-party tools, such as Slack and Trello.
Pricing
Axosoft offers a free plan for small teams, with paid plans starting at $20 per user per month, depending on the features required.
Review
3.9/5 (g2)
11. YouTrack
YouTrack is a bug tracking tool tailored for Agile software development, gaining the trust of over 75,000 technical and non-technical teams from diverse industries worldwide.
As a versatile platform, YouTrack adapts to your business processes, offering comprehensive management of projects, daily task tracking, knowledge base maintenance, and Gantt charts, reports, and dashboard utilization for efficient bug tracking and resolution.
Top Features
- Flexible issue hierarchy for efficient organization and categorization.
- Customizable workflows and issue fields to match your team's processes.
- Built-in time tracking and estimation for better resource management.
- Integration with JetBrains' suite of development tools and other popular third-party tools.
- Advanced search and filtering options for quick issue navigation.
Pricing
YouTrack offers a free plan for small teams, with paid plans starting at $3.67 per user per month, depending on the features and storage required.
Review
4.3/5 (g2)
12. DoneDone
DoneDone.com is an online bug tracking and project management solution crafted for users from various backgrounds. The platform provides an array of functionalities, including bug tracking, issue management, and agile project management tools. Its high customizability enables users to configure the software to meet their unique requirements.
Top Features
- Intuitive Kanban-style boards
- Customizable issue statuses and workflows
- Built-in time tracking for monitoring time spent on bug resolution.
- Seamless integration with popular tools like GitHub, GitLab, and Slack.
- Detailed reporting and analytics
Pricing
DoneDone offers two pricing plans: Collaborate at $4 per user/month for internal bug, issue, and task tracking with clients, and Outreach at $8 per user/month, which includes everything in Collaborate plus customer support and feedback management features.
Review
4.5/5 (g2)
13. Asana
Asana is a powerful tool for managing tasks and adhering to project deadlines. While it's not specifically designed as a bug tracking tool, many developers have adopted it for that purpose.
The platform allows users to create subtasks and allocate them to individual developers to address various issues, which is a significant advantage.
However, one major drawback of using Asana for bug tracking is constantly switching between the website being developed and Asana's interface to identify issues and implement visual fixes. This can be inconvenient and may disrupt the workflow for some developers.
Top Features
- Bug tracking template
- Customizable bug tracking
- Utilizing custom fields, teams can monitor bugs and identify trends
- The agile board view provides a visual way to manage tasks
Pricing
Asana offers three pricing plans:
- Basic (free, limited features for individuals or small teams)
- Premium ($10.99 per user/month billed annually, enhanced features for project planning)
- Business ($24.99 per user/month billed annually, advanced features for managing work across initiatives)
Review
4.3/5 (g2)
14. Shortcut
Shortcut is an excellent choice for larger teams, as it simultaneously facilitates managing multiple software development projects. It provides valuable features, such as a concise overview of projects, the ability to filter issues based on teams, and seamless integration with GitHub.
However, one limitation of Shortcut is the absence of a feature that enables direct feedback input from websites into the platform.
Top Features
- Kanban board
- Tasking ranking and custom workflows
- Progress monitoring
- Users can leave comments, attachments, and labels
Pricing
Shortcut offers four pricing plans:
- Free (basic features for teams getting started)
- Team ($8.50 per user/month billed annually, enhanced features for small teams)
- Business ($12 per user/month billed annually, advanced features for growing teams)
- Enterprise (custom pricing for large teams with additional support and security options)
Review
4.3/5 (g2)
15. Notion
Though Notion may not be specifically designed for software development, it stands out on this list due to its versatile nature. Primarily a project management tool, Notion can be adapted for bug tracking purposes.
However, for those requiring a more robust and specialized solution, Notion may not be the ideal choice for bug tracking.
Top Features
- Task creation and assignment
- Task prioritization
- Bug tracking templates
- Project monitoring dashboard
- Milestone-based project planning
Pricing
Notion offers a free plan for individuals. Paid plans start at $8/user/month for small groups, $15/user/month for businesses, and custom pricing for enterprise solutions.
Review
4.7/5 (g2)
16. Monday.com
Monday.com offers an intelligent dashboard for bug tracking, effectively organizing tasks on the screen for easy visualization.
With the ability to prioritize bugs based on developers, progress status, and clients, Monday.com allows for added flexibility through additional filters and custom fields.
As a bug tracking tool, Monday.com streamlines the process, making it simple for teams to manage and resolve software issues efficiently.
Top Features
- Timesheet entry to keep track of tasks
- Users and admins can modify rates according to user, role, task, and project assignments
- Bug tracking template
- Kanban board available to visualize tasks
Pricing
Monday.com offers a free plan for individuals. There are 4 paid plans.
- $8/seat/month for basic
- $10/seat/month for standard
- $16/seat/month for pro
- Custom pricing for enterprise solutions
Review
4.7/5 (g2)
17. Zoho
The Zoho Suite provides extensive project management tools, including the Zoho Bug Tracker, designed specifically as an issue tracker.
As a user-friendly and versatile solution, Zoho Bug Tracker is bundled with the entire Zoho suite, making it an excellent choice if you require more than bug tracking capabilities. The tool features automation rules that allow for updates in bug fields or the assignment of specific team members to issues.
Top Features
- Bug Reports
- Time Tracking
- Status & Workflow
- Project Custom Status
- SLA Automation
Pricing
Zoho Bug Tracker offers a free plan for 3 users, a standard plan at ₹250/user/month, and a premium plan at ₹560/user/month, with additional features and storage at each tier.
Review
4.4/5 (g2)
18. Wrike
Wrike, primarily a project management tool, functions effectively as bug tracking software. It enables the collection of bug reports from websites through customizable request forms, providing developers with essential information to resolve issues. Tasks can be prioritized and developers assigned easily, along with automated reminders for streamlined tracking.
Top Features
- Customization options to create custom objects, fields, rules, calculations, and views
- Automates processes
- Request form system
- Real-time communication and team overview
Pricing
Wrike offers a free plan for getting started, paid plans starting at $9.80/user/month for growing teams, $24.80/user/month for business use, and custom pricing for enterprise and complex work needs.
Review
4.2/5 (g2)
19. Linear
As a bug tracking tool, Linear distinguishes itself through its focus on simplicity and a highly-targeted approach. It offers a user-friendly, lightweight experience without unnecessary features. However, this streamlined design may result in fewer customization options than other tools.
Top Features
- Automate workflows
- Git integration
- Enhanced collaboration platform
- Advanced reporting & analytics
- Robust security & encryption
Pricing
Linear offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting at $8/user/month for additional functionality, enhanced security, and unlimited issues.
Review
4.5/5 (g2)
20. FogBugz
FogBugz, a web-based bug tracking system, identifies defects as 'cases,' enabling users to create, list, assign, and manage them. Project progress can be assessed through milestones, offering a straightforward user experience with essential features. FogBugz also allows public wiki creation and, although a commercial product, is reasonably priced.
Top Features
- Defect tracking
- Project management
- Useful and user-friendly filters
- Agile management: kanban
Pricing
FogBugz offers pricing plans starting at $75 for 5 users/month on a monthly basis, with discounted rates for longer commitments, such as $68 for 1-year and $62-64 for 2-3 year plans.
Review
3.9/5 (g2)
21. BugHost
BugHost is a reliable and user-friendly bug tracking and issue management system designed to help software development teams efficiently identify, prioritize, and resolve defects. It streamlines the process of reporting and managing bugs to ensure a smoother workflow and fosters improved collaboration among team members.
Top Features
- Storage and Retrieval
- Issue tracking software
- Dashboard (Bug Tracking)
- Reports
- Workflow Management
- Task Management
Pricing
BugHost offers a range of plans starting at $29/month for 5 users and 5 projects, up to $159/month for 25 users and 25 projects, and enterprise pricing is available for larger teams. All plans include a 30-day free trial.
Review
3.8/5 (g2)
22. Userback
Last on the list is userback, a user-friendly feedback and bug tracking tool for developers, designers, and product teams. It simplifies issue identification and resolution with visual feedback and screen recording features. Customizable widgets, integrations, and real-time notifications help teams work together efficiently, resulting in better digital products and satisfied customers.
Top Features
- Tools for tagging, storing, and searching responses
- In-app method of error and bug tracking
- Deliver detailed, actionable information for bug and crash situations
- Monitor bug status history by app version, date, and more
Pricing
Userback offers yearly and monthly pricing with plans starting at $59/month for 10 users and 5 projects, featuring feedback portals, workflow customization, integrations, and more. Higher-tier plans include additional features and support.
Review
4.8/5 (g2)
Final Words
2023 has seen the rise of numerous bug tracking tools and software that cater to various needs, making it easier for developers and teams to manage and resolve issues efficiently.
Throughout this article, we've explored some of the best options available in the market, each offering unique features and advantages. However, after careful consideration and analysis, we believe that ruttl is the best solution for bug tracking in 2023.
ruttl combines the best aspects of bug tracking and project management with an intuitive interface, making it a seamless experience for teams to collaborate, track progress, and resolve issues effectively. Its powerful features, flexibility, and integration capabilities ensure that your team can focus on building high-quality products while keeping customers satisfied.
So, if you're looking for the best bug tracking tool for your team, give ruttl a try and experience the difference it can make in your software development process.
