Top 7 Most Popular JIRA Plugins (Best Jira Add-Ons In 2022)

Best Free Jira Plugins: List of the Top JIRA Add-on from the Jira Marketplace

The integration of JIRA with Testlodge was explained in detail in our last tutorial.

JIRA is a software development tool developed by Australian company Atlassian.

Agile project management is the core application of this tool. This interesting name comes from the Japanese word ‘Gojira’, which means ‘Godzilla’. There are more than 25000 add-ons for Jira.

=> Click Here For Complete JIRA Tutorials Series

Explore our Series of In-depth tutorials on JIRA for more knowledge on JIRA concepts.

 

This tutorial will explain to you the top 7 trending JIRA Plugins in 2020. Before getting into that, let’s take a quick look at the basics of an agile software team and Jira.

 

Agile Software Development Team

Now, let’s see what is an agile software development team.

The term ‘agile’ came into existence in early 2001. Before agile several methodologies and their combinations were used widely.

In agile methodology, an iterative approach is taken towards software delivery. Instead of delivering it all at once near the end, agile software is built incrementally from the start of the project. These little bits of user functionality are known as User Stories and each release is called Iteration.

An Agile team is a group of people who perform cross-functional activities that are necessary to produce a working, tested iteration of a product.

Need For A Test Management Tool

Developing a quality software product is a complex procedure. It consists of versatile components at different levels. As and when a requirement comes, it is always best to follow a good workflow.

In simple words, for a proper organization, it is not enough to get a team of developers and testers and tell them or mail them what you exactly need.

A properly documented workflow and constant tracking of all the development stages are important for quality software releases.

Now, let’s know more about the most popular project management tool, JIRA.

Jira Tool For Agile Project Management

Jira is listed in the top 10 best test management tools (2020) and it is desired in most of the agile software development companies.

One of the main advantages of this tool is its add-on support. Jira can be integrated with special add-ons to increase it’s potential. There are a lot of useful add-ons for Jira.

The tool is built to plan, track, release and report activities in an agile software development team.

#1) Planning: Jira supports sprint planning, creation of user stories & issues and in the distribution of tasks.

The tool offers multiple project creation and user permissions. The administrator can create projects and give access to the required team members.

#2) Tracking: Jira helps to view the team’s activity clearly. The tool offers a precise way to track the workflow progress and manage the daily activities based on a priority.

Each task can be assigned to the respective person and they can record their work and time through their daily updates in Jira.

#3) Releasing: Releases can be done with proper version details so that the product can be delivered with confidence that the whole data you have is always clear and up-to-date.

#4) Reports: The dashboard of Jira contains many reports. We can add the required ones to our dashboard. Managers require a clear understanding of the budget and progress at any stage of a project.

Jira gives brilliant reports for concluding and estimating all the essential metrics and performance indicators.

The software is available through a monthly subscription or can be deployed on a server with the license. Atlassian offers a 7-day free trial for Jira and later the plan should be upgraded for further use.

There are three plans available now, they are:

• JIRA software plan.
• JIRA software with documentation plan through Confluence.
• JIRA software with a helpdesk support plan through Jira Service Desk.

Features of JIRA:

#1) Project Management: Agile is the core application of Jira. The tool offers smooth usage with all the desired features for scrum boards. It can be used for kanban and mixed methods like Scrumban as well.

#2) Brilliant Project Tracking and Reporting Interface: Jira offers easy project tracking at any stage of an ongoing project.

It has a customized query language called JQL which allows the user to sort or filter issues according to the different criteria. A Jira user can create a project, stories or issues from any page through the main menu bar.

Drag and drop feature makes it easy to create sprints in the backlog and create reports in the dashboard.

The user can see the status of reports anytime in their dashboard. Beautiful work organizing through sorting, filtering, and color-coding is another attractive feature of Jira.

#3) Android and IOS Applications: Jira has applications that are compatible with iOS and Android devices. These enable members to stay online and engaged anytime.

#4) Plugin or Add-on support: Jira supports a lot of external add-ons or plugins. These plugins can be used to control almost everything about a product inside the tool.

These tools can be bought from the Atlassian Marketplace. Some of them are Confluence– for knowledge trees, Bitbucket– for development workflow, Bamboo– for continuous integration, etc.

Users can use these add-ons to improve Jira and can further enhance it with hundreds of apps that are available in the Marketplace.

Let’s go through the top trending add-ons in 2020!!

Top 7 Jira Plugins (Best Free Jira Add-Ons)

We have finally reached the Topic of today’s tutorial. This tutorial is prepared using the latest information from Atlassian.

1. Requirements and Test Management for Jira (RTM)
2. Tempo Timesheets For Jira
3. ScriptRunner For Jira (Version 5.3.16) By Adaptavist
4. Automation For Jira (Version 3.11.12) By Code Barrel Pty Ltd
5. Structure For Jira (Version 4.6.1) By ALM Works
6. BigPicture For PPM, Project Management (Version 6.12.3) By SoftwarePlant
7. SQL For Jira Driver – Convert JQL To SQL (Version 6.8.3) By MarketPlace Expert
8. Katl-com For Power Scripts & Power Apps (Version 4.0.16) By CPrime

While selecting the best JIRA Apps, one should check if it is compatible with their version or not. To be more precise, there are two types of versions, the cloud version, and the server version.

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Recommended Tools:

#1) Requirements and Test Management for Jira (RTM)

Requirements and Test Management for Jira isn’t just a requirements management tool. It’s an app that enables the whole software development process right inside
your Jira.

A transparent structure for your requirements is just as important as an accurate method for testing them. The two processes are closely related to each other because
they focus on the quality of your product.

With how flexible Jira is when it comes to extending its possibilities, you can have all the necessary tools and objects in one place without having to integrate with external software.

If you’d like to get rid of your current requirements management tools or are just starting your software project, RTM for Jira will help you build an environment where all your teams can work – from requirements to release.

Key Features:

• Plug-and-play configuration
• Built-in requirements management
• Based on Jira native functionalities.
• Tree-structured view with folders and subfolders for each module.
• End-to-end software project traceability.
• Traceability Matrix and Requirement Coverage reports (User Dashboard available).

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#2) Tempo Timesheets For JIRA

Tempo Timesheets is the #1 time management product in the Atlassian ecosystem since 2010. With Tempo Timesheets, you can build granular reports in seconds and drill down on data to get the detailed information you need.

Managers can review and approve their team’s timesheets, as well as analyze high-level information on work performed across your organization to make better business decisions. Convert calendar events to worklogs for added value and productivity.

Features

• Multiple ways to track time.
• Google & Microsoft calendar integrations.
• Automated suggestions
• Measure & report on CAPEX and OPEX.
• Build custom reports
• Available in multiple languages
• Available for all JIRA environments
• Leverage REST APIs to integrate with your favorite business tools.
• Mobile app available
• Free 30-day trial

Popular Plans:

Up to 10 users: $10/month
11 – 100 users: $3 per user/month

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#3) ScriptRunner For Jira (Version 5.3.16) By Adaptavist

Compatibility: Jira Server 7.2.0 – 7.9.1, Jira Cloud 7.2.0 – 7.9.1

This tool tops the trending add-on list in 2020. This app has 19.2 installs. Even though the trending add-on list gets updated frequently, ScriptRunner always finds its place in the first 5 add-ons.

This add-on is developed and maintained by Adaptavist. They have add-ons for Confluence and other Atlassian tools.

ScriptRunner for Jira transforms Jira with complete Automation of the work process. This add-on is the leading toolset for automating and enhancing the basic Jira. ‘5.3.16’ is the latest stable version of this tool that is available in the Atlassian marketplace.

The add-on is available for cloud as well as server versions of Jira. The release ‘5.3.16’ is compatible with Jira Cloud and Jira Server versions 7.2.0 – 7.9.1.

Important: ScriptRunner is a powerful tool, which exposes the core functions in Jira. This might create a mess if not done correctly.

Benefits of this Tool:

• Automatic creation of issues on project creation and adjustable notification settings, allows the user to get notified on the changes of issue fields and others. With this plugin, a user can add a default comment on the issue creation if he wants or can create custom messages.
• Customized User interface and experience.
• Improved functions and server-side validations for Jira. With this tool, an administrator can set the fields that are enabled or disabled and make desired the fields mandatory or optional.
• Display calculated details and values in the issue fields.
• Bulk update of issues with common actions or field changes and comments.
• Jira Query Language (JQL) is more powerful with this plugin. Enhanced JQL search lets you find the exact issues accordingly from the brilliant queries. Task automation, enhanced reporting, and backlogs are other advantages of this plugin.
• Script solution is another highlight of this plugin. Scripts can be scheduled to run at the desired time. Hundreds of use cases are available in the tool for script solution. Escalation services are also available.
• REST Endpoints is an added advantage with which the ScriptRunner can be integrated with external applications such as Twitter.

Popular Plans:

The popular plans are:

• $5 / month for up to 10 users and
• $2.5 per month for 11 to 100 users.

A 30-day free trial is available for both plans.

Although some tools have been released as an alternative to ScriptRunner, this immensely powerful add-on is the topmost solution for many Jira user demands.

This add-on can be downloaded from here.

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#4) Automation For Jira (Version 3.11.12) By Code Barrel Pty Ltd

Compatibility: Jira Server 7.1.0 – 7.9.1, Jira Cloud 7.1.0 – 7.9.1

This tool by Code Barrel Pty Ltd is an Atlassian Codegeist 2016 Winner. The app has 4.3k installs.

This award-winning tool offers the simplest way to automate team planning. Understanding of Jira API is not mandatory to use this tool. ‘Version 3.11.12’ is the latest stable version of this tool that is available in the Atlassian marketplace.

This add-on is available for cloud as well as server versions of Jira. The release ‘Version 3.11.12’ is compatible with Jira Cloud and Jira Server versions 7.1.0 – 7.9.1.

Automation for Jira offers over 40 components and combines the functionality of many individual applications. This add-on can be operated without using scripts or Jira API.

Benefits of this Tool:

• Automation for Jira offers simple functionalities to automate the tasks through a combination of triggers, conditions and simple actions to handle complex automation.
• Sub-tasks and parent tasks can be synchronized.
• Add sub-tasks when an issue is created.
• Features like Copy from existing issues, comment on issues when resolved, etc.
• Automatic assignment of issues. Options to assign to previous assignee/commenters etc.
• Create recurring issues.
• Reopen issues automatically when a certain notification or comment gets added.
• Automatic response to known defects.
• Automatic SMS notifications for high-priority issues.
• Set default values to fields.

Popular Plans:

The popular plans are:

• $5 / month for up to 10 users and
• $2.5 / month for 11 to 100 users.

30 days free trial is available for both the plans.

This add-on can be downloaded from here.

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#5) Structure For Jira (Version 4.6.1) By ALM Works

Compatibility: Jira Server 7.2.0 – 7.9.1

This add-on has more than 4.3k Jira Server and Data Center customers worldwide. Atlassian’s top customers mostly use this add-on.

For huge businesses with thousands of issues, under several parallel projects, with shared resources, Structure is an essential add-on for visualizing the progress of work and it makes sure that the job is done.

SThe structure offers tracking, managing and visualizing progress across Jira projects and teams for Atlassian’s customers. This add-on is developed and maintained by ALM Works, a Russian based development company.

The add-on is compatible with the Server version of Jira only and offers useful functionalities like time recording, reporting and enhanced overview of time.

The ‘Version 4.6.1’ is the latest stable version of this add-on that is available in the Atlassian marketplace. The add-on is available for cloud as well as server versions of Jira. The release ‘Version 4.6.1’ is compatible with Jira Server versions 7.2.0 – 7.9.1.

Benefits of this Tool:

• Personal and company-wide overviews of project big-picture and portfolio.
• Ability to arrange issues in hierarchies of infinite depth.
• Relationships between different projects and issues can be visualized easily using this tool.
• The aggregate progress of all the projects or issues can be easily monitored.
• Integrating with Structure-Gantt, which is another product from the same company, can extend this add-on.

Popular Plans:

The popular plans are:

• $10 / month for up to 10 users and,
• $600 / month for up to 25 users.
• $1100 / month for up to100 users.
• $4000 / month for up to 250 users.

This add-on can be downloaded from here.

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#6) BigPicture For PPM, Project Management (Version 6.12.3) By SoftwarePlant

Compatibility: Jira Cloud 7.0.0 – 7.9.1, Jira Server 7.0.0 – 7.9.1

This add-on has more than 4.8k installations. BigPicture offers easy building and managing of multiple parallel projects.

With this add-on, a user can easily manage roadmaps, resources, and risks. The add-on offers a portfolio for Jira compliant and management of Project Portfolio, Resources, etc. The add-on is most suitable for large-scale Atlassian customers.

The Gantt, Risk, Roadmap, and Resource modules in this add-on offer updates about the necessary information that is required for work.

This add-on is developed and maintained by SoftwarePlant Company. BIGGANTT and BAG TEMPLATE is the other products from this company.

The add-on is compatible with the Server and cloud versions of Jira. ‘Version 6.12.3’ is the latest stable version of this add-on that is available in the Atlassian marketplace.

The add-on is available for cloud as well as server versions of Jira. The release ‘Version 6.12.3’ is compatible with Jira Server and cloud versions 7.0.0 – 7.9.1.

Benefits of this Tool:

• The BigPicture suite contains the Gantt chart module which can be used to create and organize tasks with sorting and grouping.
• Tasks can be managed through a drag & drop function.
• Easily build roadmaps and help the team gain a common understanding.
• Import and Export from/to Excel and MS Project.
• Project managers are often concerned about the risks like resources run out, hardware breaks etc. BigPicture offers easy risk identification and management using drag and drop.
• Resources are usually a concern for most project managers. Enhanced task allocation feature in BigPicture allows quick and easy task assignments through its Resource view.
• Mark and color tasks.
• Quick inline editing of issues.

Popular Plans:

The popular plans are:

• $10 / month for up to 10 users and
• $2.50 / month for 11 to 100 users.

30 days free trial is available for both the plans.

This add-on can be downloaded from here.

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#7) SQL For Jira Driver – Convert JQL To SQL (Version 6.8.3) By MarketPlace Expert

Compatibility: Jira Server 7.6.0 – 7.9.1

This tool integrates SQL and JQL (Jira Query Language) together to achieve enhanced reporting and analytics. SQL for Jira Server has over 700 installations.

The tool offers powerful data visualizations and calculations.

The add-on is not compatible with the cloud version of Jira. It supports Jira Server 7.6.0 – 7.9.1. ‘Version 6.8.3’ is the latest stable version of this add-on that is available in the Atlassian marketplace.

Benefits of this Tool:

• Search data by using a combination of SQL and JQL integration extends the ability to group data, perform operations on data and filter them.
• Integrating with Jira Analytics and Eclipse BIRT add-ons can further extend this add-on. Both of them are free add-ons.

Popular Plans:

The popular plans are

• $10 / month for up to 10 users.
• $250 / month for up to 25 users.
• $50 / month for up to 500 users.
• $100 / month for up to 1000 users.
• $250 / month for up to 1500 users.

30 days free trial is available for the plans.

This add-on can be downloaded from here!

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#8) Katl-com For Power Scripts & Power Apps (Version 4.0.16) By CPrime

Compatibility: Jira Server 7.0.0 – 7.9.1

This add-on, as the name suggests, offers powerful scripts for Jira.

This add-on is developed and maintained by CPrime. Other add-ons from CPrime are Agile Reports for Jira, Power Custom fields Pro, Power database fields, etc.

This add-on is comparable to ScriptRunner to some extent and is FREE. Over 5k Jira users use this add-on.

‘Version 4.0.16’ is the latest stable version of Katl-com that is compatible with Jira Server 7.0.0 – 7.9.1.

Benefits of this Tool:

• The app is free.
• Automate and schedule actions at a free of cost.
• Less implementation time when compared to ScriptRunner.
• Create post function, validation, and condition in Jira workflows.
• Offers additional benefits like email processing, Workflow viewing, Remote LDAP integration.

Popular Plans:

This add-on is FREE to use.

This add-on can be downloaded from here.

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Conclusion

Jira is a project management tool, which is widely used in an agile team. The tool allows managing, tracking and reporting activities in projects. One of the main advantages of Jira is its ability to extend through thousands of plugins.

We have gone through a list of trending Jira plugins in this tutorial. Each tool is installed by thousands of Jira users and has great reviews too. Atlassian often updates the Trending plugins and add-on list.

=> Contact us to suggest a listing here.

I hope that the description, benefits, and plans of the top JIRA Plugins and add-ons mentioned here were useful to you.