Quick Overview
- 1#1: Jira - Jira is a leading issue tracking and agile project management tool for software teams to visualize, limit, and manage work in progress with customizable Kanban and Scrum boards.
- 2#2: Linear - Linear provides a fast, modern issue tracker optimized for software development teams to streamline cycles, enforce WIP limits, and track progress in real-time.
- 3#3: ClickUp - ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with flexible Kanban views, custom workflows, and WIP dashboards for comprehensive work tracking.
- 4#4: Asana - Asana enables teams to organize tasks into visual boards and timelines for clear WIP tracking, dependencies, and workload management.
- 5#5: Monday.com - Monday.com offers customizable visual boards, automations, and time tracking to monitor and limit work in progress across projects.
- 6#6: Trello - Trello uses intuitive Kanban boards with cards, lists, and power-ups to simply visualize and manage work in progress for any team.
- 7#7: Shortcut - Shortcut is an agile project management tool for software teams featuring story mapping, WIP limits, and iteration tracking.
- 8#8: Azure DevOps - Azure DevOps Boards deliver Kanban and Scrum tools integrated with CI/CD pipelines for enterprise-level WIP tracking in DevOps workflows.
- 9#9: GitHub Projects - GitHub Projects provides customizable Kanban boards linked to repositories for tracking issues, pull requests, and software development WIP.
- 10#10: YouTrack - YouTrack offers agile boards, swimlanes, and issue tracking tailored for software teams to manage and visualize work in progress efficiently.
Our ranking prioritizes tools that deliver exceptional core functionality, including customizable views, real-time progress monitoring, and WIP limit enforcement, alongside ease of use, quality, and value to ensure relevance for both small and enterprise teams.
Comparison Table
This comparison table breaks down key work tracking software, including Jira, Linear, ClickUp, Asana, Monday.com, and more, to help users assess which tool aligns with their project management needs. By examining features, usability, and adaptability, readers can gain insights into selecting software that fits their team’s size, industry, or workflow priorities.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jira Jira is a leading issue tracking and agile project management tool for software teams to visualize, limit, and manage work in progress with customizable Kanban and Scrum boards. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Linear Linear provides a fast, modern issue tracker optimized for software development teams to streamline cycles, enforce WIP limits, and track progress in real-time. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | ClickUp ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with flexible Kanban views, custom workflows, and WIP dashboards for comprehensive work tracking. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Asana Asana enables teams to organize tasks into visual boards and timelines for clear WIP tracking, dependencies, and workload management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Monday.com Monday.com offers customizable visual boards, automations, and time tracking to monitor and limit work in progress across projects. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Trello Trello uses intuitive Kanban boards with cards, lists, and power-ups to simply visualize and manage work in progress for any team. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | Shortcut Shortcut is an agile project management tool for software teams featuring story mapping, WIP limits, and iteration tracking. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Azure DevOps Azure DevOps Boards deliver Kanban and Scrum tools integrated with CI/CD pipelines for enterprise-level WIP tracking in DevOps workflows. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | GitHub Projects GitHub Projects provides customizable Kanban boards linked to repositories for tracking issues, pull requests, and software development WIP. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | YouTrack YouTrack offers agile boards, swimlanes, and issue tracking tailored for software teams to manage and visualize work in progress efficiently. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
Jira is a leading issue tracking and agile project management tool for software teams to visualize, limit, and manage work in progress with customizable Kanban and Scrum boards.
Linear provides a fast, modern issue tracker optimized for software development teams to streamline cycles, enforce WIP limits, and track progress in real-time.
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with flexible Kanban views, custom workflows, and WIP dashboards for comprehensive work tracking.
Asana enables teams to organize tasks into visual boards and timelines for clear WIP tracking, dependencies, and workload management.
Monday.com offers customizable visual boards, automations, and time tracking to monitor and limit work in progress across projects.
Trello uses intuitive Kanban boards with cards, lists, and power-ups to simply visualize and manage work in progress for any team.
Shortcut is an agile project management tool for software teams featuring story mapping, WIP limits, and iteration tracking.
Azure DevOps Boards deliver Kanban and Scrum tools integrated with CI/CD pipelines for enterprise-level WIP tracking in DevOps workflows.
GitHub Projects provides customizable Kanban boards linked to repositories for tracking issues, pull requests, and software development WIP.
YouTrack offers agile boards, swimlanes, and issue tracking tailored for software teams to manage and visualize work in progress efficiently.
Jira
enterpriseJira is a leading issue tracking and agile project management tool for software teams to visualize, limit, and manage work in progress with customizable Kanban and Scrum boards.
Column-based WIP limits with real-time alerts and automated bottleneck detection on Kanban boards
Jira, developed by Atlassian, is a leading agile project management tool that excels in WIP tracking through customizable Kanban and Scrum boards, backlogs, and workflows. It enables teams to visualize work in progress, enforce WIP limits on columns to prevent bottlenecks, and track metrics like cycle time, throughput, and velocity via built-in reports and dashboards. With extensive integrations and scalability for enterprise use, it's a comprehensive solution for managing ongoing tasks in software development and beyond.
Pros
- Highly customizable Kanban boards with WIP limits and swimlanes for precise workflow visualization
- Advanced analytics including control charts, burndown charts, and cumulative flow diagrams for WIP insights
- Seamless integrations with 3,000+ apps via Atlassian Marketplace for extended functionality
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to extensive customization options
- Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for simple WIP tracking needs
- Pricing increases significantly for larger teams and premium features
Best For
Mid-to-large agile teams in software development, DevOps, or IT operations requiring scalable, metric-driven WIP management.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Standard at $8.15/user/month, Premium at $16/user/month (billed annually).
Linear
specializedLinear provides a fast, modern issue tracker optimized for software development teams to streamline cycles, enforce WIP limits, and track progress in real-time.
Cycles: Fixed-timebox iterations that automatically scope, track, and archive work to enforce WIP limits and boost team velocity.
Linear is a high-performance issue tracking and project management platform tailored for software development teams, enabling efficient WIP tracking through customizable workflows, real-time updates, and visual boards. It supports cycles for timeboxed iterations, projects for roadmaps, and triage queues to manage incoming work without bottlenecks. With seamless Git integrations and keyboard-centric navigation, it helps teams maintain flow and ship faster.
Pros
- Lightning-fast interface with optimistic updates for seamless WIP visibility
- Powerful Cycles feature for timeboxing and limiting work in progress
- Intuitive keyboard shortcuts and command bar for rapid navigation
Cons
- Pricing scales expensively for large teams
- Reporting and analytics are less comprehensive than specialized tools
- Customization depth lags behind enterprise alternatives like Jira
Best For
Fast-moving software engineering teams focused on high-velocity development and streamlined WIP management.
Pricing
Free Starter plan for small teams; Standard at $8/user/month (annual) or $10 monthly; Plus at $12/user/month (annual); Enterprise custom.
ClickUp
specializedClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with flexible Kanban views, custom workflows, and WIP dashboards for comprehensive work tracking.
Multi-layered hierarchy (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks > Subtasks) for granular WIP tracking and dependency management
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform that serves as a powerful WIP tracking solution through its flexible task hierarchies, multiple views like Kanban and List, and customizable statuses to monitor work in progress. It supports agile workflows with automations, time tracking, and dashboards for real-time visibility into bottlenecks and team capacity. Ideal for scaling teams, it integrates seamlessly with numerous tools while offering granular control over subtasks and dependencies.
Pros
- Highly customizable hierarchies and views for precise WIP visualization
- Powerful automations and integrations to streamline workflows
- Generous free plan with unlimited tasks and users
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for beginners
- Performance issues with very large workspaces
Best For
Scaling teams and enterprises needing flexible, hierarchical WIP tracking in a comprehensive project management platform.
Pricing
Free plan forever; Unlimited at $7/user/mo; Business at $12/user/mo; Enterprise custom.
Asana
specializedAsana enables teams to organize tasks into visual boards and timelines for clear WIP tracking, dependencies, and workload management.
Timeline view with dependency mapping to identify WIP bottlenecks and critical paths
Asana is a versatile work management platform that excels in tracking work in progress (WIP) through customizable lists, boards, timelines, and calendars for visualizing task status and dependencies. It supports task assignment, subtasks, custom fields, and automations to streamline workflows and monitor bottlenecks in real-time. Teams can use portfolios to oversee WIP across multiple projects, with reporting tools for progress insights.
Pros
- Flexible multi-view options (boards, lists, timelines) for WIP visualization
- Powerful rules and automations to manage task flow and dependencies
- Excellent integrations with tools like Slack and Google Workspace for seamless tracking
Cons
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans, limiting free users
- Reporting and custom dashboards are basic without premium add-ons
- Can feel overwhelming for very simple WIP tracking needs
Best For
Medium to large teams handling complex, multi-project workflows that require visual WIP tracking and automation.
Pricing
Free Basic plan; Premium at $10.99/user/month; Advanced at $24.99/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
Monday.com
specializedMonday.com offers customizable visual boards, automations, and time tracking to monitor and limit work in progress across projects.
No-code automations and dependency mapping that dynamically manage WIP progression and alert on delays
Monday.com is a highly visual work management platform that enables teams to create customizable boards for tracking work in progress (WIP) through Kanban views, timelines, and Gantt charts. It supports real-time collaboration, automations to move items between stages, and dashboards for monitoring project status and bottlenecks. As a flexible WIP tracking solution, it integrates with over 200 apps, allowing seamless data flow and progress visualization across complex workflows.
Pros
- Highly customizable boards with status columns, dependencies, and timelines tailored for WIP tracking
- Powerful no-code automations that update WIP status and notify teams automatically
- Comprehensive dashboards and reporting for WIP analytics and bottleneck identification
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced WIP features like time tracking and dependencies
- Steep learning curve for setting up complex custom workflows
- Performance can slow with very large boards or high-volume WIP items
Best For
Medium to large teams handling complex, multi-stage projects that require visual WIP tracking with heavy customization and integrations.
Pricing
Free for individuals; Basic at $9/user/month, Standard $12/user/month, Pro $19/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
Trello
specializedTrello uses intuitive Kanban boards with cards, lists, and power-ups to simply visualize and manage work in progress for any team.
Fully customizable Kanban boards that visually represent any workflow stage for real-time WIP tracking
Trello is a visual collaboration tool that uses customizable boards, lists, and cards to manage projects and track work in progress via Kanban-style workflows. Users can move cards between lists like 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done' to visualize task status, add checklists, labels, due dates, and attachments for detailed WIP oversight. Power-Ups provide extensions for integrations, automation, and advanced features, making it adaptable for various team sizes.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop Kanban interface for effortless WIP visualization
- Generous free plan with unlimited boards and cards
- Highly customizable with labels, checklists, and Power-Ups for tailored workflows
Cons
- Limited native reporting and analytics for WIP metrics
- No built-in time tracking or dependency management
- Can become cluttered and hard to navigate in very large projects
Best For
Small teams or individuals seeking a simple, visual Kanban tool for straightforward WIP tracking without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Standard at $5/user/month, Premium at $10/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise custom pricing.
Shortcut
specializedShortcut is an agile project management tool for software teams featuring story mapping, WIP limits, and iteration tracking.
Advanced workflow analytics with velocity-based forecasting
Shortcut (formerly Clubhouse) is an agile project management platform tailored for software teams, enabling efficient tracking of work in progress through customizable workflows, epics, stories, and iterations. It offers visual Kanban and Scrum boards, real-time collaboration, and advanced reporting on cycle time, throughput, and velocity to help teams limit WIP and improve delivery. The tool emphasizes simplicity and developer-friendly features, making it ideal for managing sprints and roadmaps without unnecessary complexity.
Pros
- Intuitive visual boards and roadmaps for clear WIP visualization
- Powerful analytics including cycle time, velocity, and forecasting
- Strong integrations with GitHub, Slack, and Jira for seamless workflows
Cons
- No native Gantt charts or timeline views
- Advanced reporting features locked behind higher tiers
- Less ideal for non-software or traditional project management needs
Best For
Agile software development teams focused on tracking and optimizing WIP in sprints and iterations.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 3 projects; Essentials at $10/user/month (annual), Business at $20/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Azure DevOps
enterpriseAzure DevOps Boards deliver Kanban and Scrum tools integrated with CI/CD pipelines for enterprise-level WIP tracking in DevOps workflows.
Seamless end-to-end integration of Boards with Pipelines and Repos for automated WIP flow and deployment visibility
Azure DevOps Boards is a comprehensive work item tracking tool within the Azure DevOps platform, offering customizable Kanban boards, backlogs, and sprint planning for effective WIP management. It supports agile and scrum methodologies with features like swimlanes, WIP limits, velocity charts, and burndown reports to visualize progress and bottlenecks. Integrated seamlessly with repositories, pipelines, and test plans, it provides end-to-end traceability for development teams.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and boards with swimlanes and WIP limits
- Advanced analytics including velocity tracking and customizable queries
- Deep integration with Git repos, CI/CD pipelines, and Microsoft ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users or simple teams
- Overkill for basic WIP tracking needs with excessive enterprise features
- Limited free tier scalability beyond 5 users
Best For
Enterprise development teams requiring integrated DevOps tools alongside robust WIP tracking in a Microsoft-centric environment.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users and open source projects; Basic plan at $6/user/month for additional users with unlimited stakeholders.
GitHub Projects
specializedGitHub Projects provides customizable Kanban boards linked to repositories for tracking issues, pull requests, and software development WIP.
Deep native integration with GitHub repositories for real-time, automated syncing of issues and PRs across project views
GitHub Projects is a built-in project management tool on GitHub that enables teams to track work-in-progress (WIP) through customizable kanban boards, tables, and roadmaps linked directly to issues and pull requests. It supports field customization, automation via GitHub Actions, and real-time updates from repository activity, making it ideal for visualizing and managing development workflows. While powerful for code-centric teams, it shines in collaborative environments tied to GitHub repositories.
Pros
- Seamless integration with GitHub issues, PRs, and repos for automatic WIP updates
- Highly customizable views (boards, tables, roadmaps) and custom fields
- Strong automation capabilities with GitHub Actions at no extra cost
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-GitHub users or complex setups
- Limited standalone functionality outside the GitHub ecosystem
- Some advanced features like organization-wide projects require paid plans
Best For
Software development teams already using GitHub who want tightly integrated WIP tracking for issues and pull requests.
Pricing
Free with GitHub Free and Pro plans ($4/user/month); full organization features in Team ($4/user/month) and Enterprise plans.
YouTrack
specializedYouTrack offers agile boards, swimlanes, and issue tracking tailored for software teams to manage and visualize work in progress efficiently.
Dynamic Kanban boards with WIP limits, swimlanes, and query-based quick filters for real-time WIP control
YouTrack, developed by JetBrains, is a flexible issue tracking and project management tool tailored for software teams to manage tasks, bugs, and workflows. It excels in WIP tracking through customizable Kanban and Scrum boards, swimlanes, WIP limits, time tracking, and burndown charts for visualizing progress. The tool supports agile methodologies with powerful search queries, reports, and integrations, making it suitable for controlling work in progress across sprints or continuous flows.
Pros
- Highly customizable agile boards with WIP limits and swimlanes for precise WIP visualization
- Powerful search-driven interface and reporting for cycle time and throughput metrics
- Seamless integrations with JetBrains IDEs and other dev tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive customization options
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams beyond the free tier
- Mobile app lacks full desktop feature parity
Best For
Mid-to-large software development teams needing advanced, customizable WIP tracking in agile environments.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Team plan at $4.40/user/month (annual billing), Enterprise at $6.67/user/month; self-hosted free for small teams.
Conclusion
The top tools reviewed cater to varied team needs, with Jira leading as the top choice for its robust agile tracking, customizable Kanban boards, and comprehensive workflow management. Linear stands out for its speed and modern design, while ClickUp excels as a flexible all-in-one platform, making them strong alternatives depending on specific requirements. Each tool effectively manages work in progress, but Jira's balance of depth and usability positions it as the clear leader.
Begin with Jira to streamline your work in progress tracking and keep your team aligned, or explore Linear or ClickUp to find the best fit for your unique workflow needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison