Bug tracking tools can help Java developers collaborate and spot and fix issues in code quickly, so they can focus on releasing high-quality products. This guide will break down the following top bug tracking tools for Java in terms of their features, pros, cons, and pricing so you can pick the best solution for your development team’s needs:
- YouTrack, an excellent pick for Java developers seeking an Agile-friendly, user-friendly, and budget-friendly bug tracking tool with additional project management capabilities.
- Jira, ideal for Agile development teams of all sizes seeking a solid Java bug tracking from a popular, all-in-one project management tool.
- ClickUp, a great choice for Java teams of all sizes looking for a comprehensive project management tool with bug tracking capabilities.
YouTrack
Best for Java developer seeking an Agile-friendly bug tracking tool.
YouTrack is an Agile-friendly project and task management tool from JetBrains with bug/issue tracking capabilities that is affordable and easy to use.
Features of YouTrack
YouTrack’s highlighted features as a bug/issue tracking tool for Java developers include:
- Editor
- Custom fields
- Commands
- Shortcuts
- Filters
- Integrations
YouTrack’s advanced editor lets Java developers create detailed descriptions of issues and includes bells and whistles like custom fields, duplicate issue detection, inline images and tables, issue linking, and more. You can easily change assignees, issue states, etc., using commands, while keyboard shortcuts make it a breeze to create, edit, or jump between issues.
You can find issues fast using YouTrack’s helpful filters, making it ideal for Java developers working with large, complex projects. YouTrack also integrates with JetBrains’ IDEs, including IntelliJ IDEA for Java developers, plus popular version control systems and other widely used tools.
Pros of YouTrack
YouTrack’s strengths include:
- Full-featured Free plan
- Budget-friendly paid plans
- Agile-friendly
- User-friendly
Small Java development teams of up to 10 members will love being able to access all of YouTrack’s features at no cost. If you have more than 10 team members, the project management and bug tracking software is still highly affordable. YouTrack’s Agile-friendly features, including boards and burndown charts, are another strength for teams that follow the popular methodology, as is its user-friendliness.
Cons of YouTrack
YouTrack’s weaknesses include:
- Clunky UI
- Sluggish performance
- Limited integrations
While user-friendly, YouTrack’s clunky user interface takes a bit of getting used to. The project management (PM) software is noted for having slow load times occasionally, and it could use more third-party integrations to keep up with its peers, even though the IntelliJ IDEA integration is quite helpful.
Pricing of YouTrack
YouTrack’s pricing is split between cloud and server versions:
- 1-10 users (cloud): Free.
- 11+ users (cloud): Starts at $3.67 per user, per month.
- 1-10 users (server): Free.
- 15 users (server): Starts at $600 per year.
YouTrack’s Free plans unlock all of its features, giving Java developers many tools, including task management, collaboration, Gantt charts, dashboards, and time tracking. The paid plans expand on this by accommodating more users and providing the option to use custom logos.
You can learn more in our YouTrack Review.
Jira
Best Agile development teams of all sizes seeking a solid Java bug tracking from a popular, all-in-one project management tool.
Jira is a favorite project management tool of Agile development teams that offers bug tracking, time-saving templates and automation, Scrum and Kanban boards, collaboration, and tons of third-party integrations.
Features of Jira
Jira’s top features as a bug tracking tool for Java include:
- Bug tracking templates
- Workflow engine
- Time-saving automation
- Automatically-updated tickets
- Third-party integrations
Jira has pre-configured bug tracking templates (and others for software development) to help Java developers start capturing, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking bugs right out of the box.
The workflow engine offers valuable insights and transparency regarding bug status, while automation saves time and ensures everything flows seamlessly. When an issue transitions from the backlog to completion, developers receive automatic updates. Jira’s automation also lets developers assign bugs automatically and place releases on autopilot.
The way bug tracking in Jira works is straightforward: When a bug is spotted, you create a detailed issue with its own custom workflow. The captured bug can be prioritized according to importance by dragging and dropping it to the to-do column or the backlog, and then assigning it. Engineers can then create a new branch in their chosen source code management software (such as Bitbucket) to begin working on the bug through a Jira ticket. That same ticket will automatically update with new pull requests, mergers, etc., to keep everyone in sync.
To further enhance the bug tracking experience, Jira integrates with many popular third-party tools, including GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins, and Slack.
Pros of Jira
Jira’s pros include:
- Templates
- Automation
- Full-fledged PM software
- Agile-friendly
Jira’s bug tracking (and other) templates are a nice touch for Java developers looking to get started with minimal fuss. Its automation keeps everything in line and saves time with automatic assignments and releases.
The fact that Jira is a comprehensive project management tool is another plus, as it gives you way more capabilities beyond bug tracking, including Scrum and kanban boards, dashboards, reporting, multiple views, roadmaps, Open DevOps, etc. And if your development team adheres to the Agile methodology, Jira is a no-brainer, as it is regarded by many as the top tool for Agile teams.
Cons of Jira
Jira’s cons include:
- Limited Free plan
- User interface
- Built-in collaboration
Jira’s Free plan may be too limited to adequately fulfill your bug tracking needs, forcing you to fork over cash for a paid plan. The user interface is not intuitive and takes time to adapt to, and Jira is also limited in terms of built-in collaboration features. However, you can add them with third-party integrations.
Pricing of Jira
Jira has four pricing plans for Java developers to choose from:
- Free: Zero cost for up to 10 users.
- Standard: $8.15 per user, per month.
- Premium: $16 per user, per month.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing.
The Free plan offers unlimited boards, a timeline and backlog, 2GB of storage, reporting and insights, and community support. The Standard plan adds 250GB of storage, audit logs, data residency, user roles, permissions, and support during business hours. The Premium plan adds guaranteed uptime, advanced roadmaps, unlimited storage, project archiving, sandbox and release tracks, and 24/7 support. Jira’s Enterprise plan adds centralized user subscriptions and security controls, 24/7 enterprise support, and up to 150 sites (aka instances).
You can learn more in our Jira Project Management Review.
ClickUp
Best for Java teams of all sizes looking for a comprehensive project management tool with bug tracking capabilities.
ClickUp is a highly regarded project management and productivity tool with a long list of features to help Java developers track bugs, collaborate, automate recurring tasks, track time, and more.
Features of ClickUp
Some of ClickUp’s top features include:
- Bug and issue tracking template
- Team collaboration
- Multiple views
- Task management
- Automation
- Reporting
- Over 1,000 integrations
ClickUp’s advanced bug and issue tracking template is tailor-made to help Java developers fix problems faster. The template includes 20 statuses, seven custom fields, five view types, and one automation to post comments when a status changes.
Java developers can also leverage ClickUp’s other features as a comprehensive project management tool to resolve bugs and boost productivity, including those for collaboration (chat, email, comments, notes, proofing, whiteboards, etc.) There are over 15 views to fit your visualization needs, plus comprehensive task management with subtasks, multiple assignees, milestones, sprints, and more.
You can use ClickUp to automate recurring tasks to save time and simplify your schedule when resolving issues or performing other duties, and you can extend the software’s functionality with over 1,000 third-party integrations with popular development tools like GitLab, GitHub, and Bitbucket.
Pros of ClickUp
ClickUp’s advantages include:
- Solid support
- Multiple views
- Free plan
- Collaborative versatility
If you want a bug tracking tool with solid support, ClickUp will be right up your alley, as it is known across the industry for serving customers when needed. The 15-plus views can come in handy for visualizing progress when fixing bugs or performing other tasks. ClickUp’s Free plan is robust and can sufficiently serve small teams of Java developers with limited budgets. Its many collaborative features can keep teams on the same page, too.
Cons of ClickUp
ClickUp’s disadvantages include:
- Complex setup
- Feature overload
- Slow loading times
ClickUp can take a good amount of time to set up. Once ready, beginners may find all of ClickUp’s features overwhelming. The PM and bug tracking tool has also been accused of slow performance by some users.
Pricing of ClickUp
ClickUp’s pricing plans are as follows:
- Free Forever: No cost for individual developers.
- Unlimited: $7 per user, per month.
- Business: $12 per user, per month.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing.
ClickUp’s Free Forever plan includes collaborative docs, unlimited tasks, whiteboards, chat, kanban boards, sprint management, 100MB of storage, calendar and everything views, and 24/7 support. The Unlimited Plan offers unlimited dashboards, storage, Gantt charts, integrations, and custom fields, plus email, time tracking, resource management, Agile reporting, and more.
The Business plan adds advanced automations, public sharing, time tracking, and dashboard features, plus custom exporting, Google SSO, time estimates, timelines, workload management, mind maps, and unlimited teams. Choose Enterprise, and you get white labeling, team sharing for spaces, single sign-on, advanced permissions, unlimited custom roles, enterprise API, managed services access, and a dedicated success manager.
Check out our ClickUp Project Management Tool Review for more.
What to Look for in Bug Tracking Tools for Java
When choosing a bug tracking tool, Java developers should seek a user-friendly solution with an intuitive interface that integrates with their development environment. Collaboration features (commenting, chat, file attachments, notifications, etc.) are essential for keeping everyone on the same page, while version control integrations can help trace code changes linked to bugs.
A bug tracking tool with robust reporting and analytics can offer valuable insights into project health and help you make informed decisions, and if it is scalable, it can stick with your development team for long-term use. Beyond seeking the aforementioned features, consider the bug tracking tool’s price to ensure it fits your budget. And if you are new to bug tracking or want added peace of mind, read reviews to ensure the developer tool has solid support or an active community.
Final Thoughts on the Best Bug Tracking Tools for Java
The bug tracking tools listed in this guide are some of the top options for Java developers. Before selecting a bug tracking tool for your Java development needs, ensure it has your desired features, fits your budget, and has no drawbacks that could be too much to overcome.