Backlog

Backlog is a project and issue tracking platform with built-in Git and Subversion support, best suited to development teams that want work planning and code management together. It offers a capable free starting point, but project, storage and feature limits make plan choice important as a team grows.

Overview

Backlog brings issue tracking, project management and team collaboration into one service. Kanban-style boards, custom workflows and roadmaps give teams ways to organize work, while guest access can accommodate collaborators who do not need a full seat. Built-in Git repositories and Subversion support are a meaningful advantage for teams that want repositories beside their work items rather than in a separate service.

The platform connects with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jenkins, Google Drive, Dropbox, Cacoo and iCal Sync, and includes Jira and Redmine importers. Its open API supports custom integrations. The notable omissions are automation rules and time tracking; teams that depend on either should look elsewhere or plan to add another tool.

Key features

Planning and issue tracking

Boards handle day-to-day task flow, while subtasks help break larger issues into manageable work. Starter adds subtasks, but teams needing issue templates, burndown charts or Gantt planning must move to Standard. Standard's Gantt view is limited to six months, which may constrain longer-range planning. Premium removes that view limit, adds third-level subtasks and custom fields, and is better suited to teams with more detailed workflows.

Code and integrations

Git repositories and Subversion support are included even on Free, giving small teams a way to keep code management and issue tracking together from the outset. The API and range of integrations provide options for connecting existing tools, while the Jira and Redmine importers are useful for teams moving from either platform.

AI and enterprise controls

Premium and Enterprise include 2,000 AI Assistant credits monthly. Enterprise adds SAML single sign-on, SCIM user provisioning, audit logs and centralized user and access management, along with security integrations. It can also be installed on a private server, giving organizations control over data, users, security settings, updates and permissions. Those controls make Enterprise the relevant tier for organizations with stricter governance or hosting requirements, rather than teams seeking only basic project tracking.

Pricing

Backlog uses flat monthly plan prices rather than per-user pricing, which can make costs more predictable for larger teams. Paid plans have a 30-day free trial with no credit card required, but plans cannot be switched during the trial. Email support is available across plans; Premium adds dedicated support, and Enterprise includes a Customer Success Manager.

Free is a practical fit for a small team evaluating the core workflow, but one project and 100 MB of storage are tight ceilings. Starter raises capacity to five projects and 30 users, yet still caps storage at 1 GB and lacks the planning charts and templates that arrive at Standard. Standard suits teams that need those views and unlimited seats, although its 100-project cap and six-month Gantt window remain. Premium removes the project cap and expands storage to 100 GB, with advanced fields and support; the higher monthly price is most defensible when those additions will be used. Enterprise is the custom-priced choice for private hosting and centralized security controls.

Platforms

Backlog is available in a browser and on iOS and Android. It also supports API access and self-hosted deployment, so teams can choose between using the service in the cloud and an Enterprise private-server installation.

Who it's for

Backlog is strongest for software and development teams that want issue tracking, project planning and code repositories in one platform, particularly when flat plan pricing is preferable to per-user charges. It can also suit teams migrating from Jira or Redmine, or organizations that need private hosting and enterprise access controls. It is a weaker fit for teams that require automation rules or time tracking, and the free tier is too constrained for larger projects or storage needs.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Git and Subversion support are included on the free plan, keeping repository access available even to small teams.
• Pros: Flat monthly pricing and unlimited users on Standard and above can suit teams that would otherwise face per-seat costs.
• Pros: Custom workflows, roadmaps, guest access, an open API and integrations support varied team processes and connected tool stacks.
• Pros: Enterprise combines private hosting with SAML, SCIM, audit logs and centralized access management for organizations with stronger control requirements.
• Cons: Free limits teams to 10 users, one project and 100 MB, so it is mainly a small-scale starting point.
• Cons: Automation rules and time tracking are absent, leaving teams reliant on those workflows to add another tool or choose a different platform.
• Cons: Advanced planning features begin at Standard, and its Gantt view covers only six months.
• Cons: Premium costs $175 a month, while Enterprise uses custom pricing, making the advanced tiers a substantial commitment over Free and Starter.

Alternatives

Linear is worth considering for teams that want a free plan with unlimited members, two teams and 250 issues, alongside its Agent platform and Linear Agent; it supports more desktop platforms than Backlog.

YouTrack may suit teams that prioritize a generous free cloud allowance: its Cloud Free plan supports up to 10 users with 30 GB of storage. Its Cloud plan starts at $5.40 a month.

MantisBT is an option for teams seeking a free, self-hosted open-source bug tracker.

Bugzilla is a free and open-source alternative.

Trac is a free, self-hosted project software option.

Launchpad offers a free plan for open-source projects.

Buildtable has a free plan for one game and two team members, with Bug Center and Tasks.

Shortcut offers a free plan for up to 10 users, one workspace and 5 GB of storage, making it another option for small teams weighing free-tier limits.

Browse Game Bug Tracking Software, Issue Tracking Software and Project Management Software for more options by category.

Verdict

Backlog is a strong choice for development teams that want planning, issue tracking and Git or Subversion repositories under one roof, with flat monthly pricing that does not rise by user count. Its main drawbacks are the absence of automation rules and time tracking, plus sharply tiered project, storage and planning limits. Choose it when integrated code and work management matters more than those missing capabilities; otherwise, look for a tracker aligned with your workflow.