15Five vs Jira
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
15Five
15Five is a continuous performance management platform focused on weekly check-ins, OKRs, and employee engagement. It helps managers stay connected with their teams through structured feedback and recognition tools. 15Five is popular with remote and distributed teams that need async communication tools.
Jira
Jira is the leading project management tool for software development teams, built by Atlassian. It supports agile methodologies including Scrum and Kanban with powerful sprint planning, backlog management, and bug tracking. Jira is used by over 65,000 companies worldwide and is the de facto standard for software engineering project management.
Pros
- ✓Simple and intuitive weekly check-in format that drives adoption
- ✓Strong OKR and goal-setting tools
- ✓Excellent manager training and coaching resources
- ✓Good engagement survey tools with benchmarking
Cons
- ✗Limited HR functionality beyond performance and engagement
- ✗No payroll or benefits administration
- ✗Reporting could be more advanced for data-driven HR teams
Pros
- ✓Industry standard for software development teams
- ✓Extremely powerful and customizable for agile workflows
- ✓Deep integration with developer tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and Confluence
- ✓Strong reporting on sprint velocity and team performance
Cons
- ✗Steep learning curve for non-technical teams
- ✗Can be complex to configure and administer
- ✗Interface feels cluttered compared to modern tools
- ✗Overkill for non-software project management needs
15Five vs Jira: Side by Side
| Factor | 15Five | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $4/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Companies focused on employee engagement and performance | Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies |
| Our Pick | — | — |
15Five Features
- ✓Weekly check-ins
- ✓OKRs
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓engagement surveys
- ✓manager training
Jira Features
- ✓Agile boards
- ✓sprint planning
- ✓backlog management
- ✓bug and issue tracking
- ✓roadmaps
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓integrations
- ✓API access
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Choose Jira if software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies.
Best For
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
Best For
Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies
Also Consider
If neither 15Five nor Jira is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 15Five and Jira?
15Five is best for companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Jira is best for software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies.
Which is better, 15Five or Jira?
Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Choose Jira if software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies.
How much does 15Five cost?
15Five starts at $4/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Jira cost?
Jira starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use 15Five?
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
Who should use Jira?
Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies