Jira vs Insightly
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Insightly
Insightly is a CRM and project management platform designed for growing businesses. It uniquely combines sales pipeline management with post-sale project delivery so teams can manage the full customer lifecycle in one place. Insightly is popular with professional services firms and companies that need to track complex projects alongside their sales pipeline.
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
Pros
- ✓Unique combination of CRM and project management in one tool
- ✓Good free plan for up to 2 users
- ✓Strong workflow automation on paid plans
- ✓Good fit for professional services businesses
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern CRM tools
- ✗Customer support can be slow on lower tiers
- ✗Mobile app is less polished than competitors
Jira vs Insightly: Side by Side
| Factor | Jira | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies | Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Jira Features
- ✓Agile boards
- ✓sprint planning
- ✓backlog management
- ✓bug and issue tracking
- ✓roadmaps
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓integrations
- ✓API access
Insightly Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓project management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Jira if software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Best For
Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies
Best For
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform
Also Consider
If neither Jira nor Insightly is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Jira and Insightly?
Jira is best for software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies. Insightly is best for growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Which is better, Jira or Insightly?
Choose Jira if software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
How much does Jira cost?
Jira starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Insightly cost?
Insightly starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Jira?
Software development and engineering teams using agile methodologies
Who should use Insightly?
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform