Backlog

Backlog brings project planning and issue tracking together with Git and Subversion repositories, making it a strong fit for teams that want development work and code management in one service. The free tier is a useful starting point for a small team, but its one-project cap makes paid plans the practical choice as work expands.

Overview

Backlog combines project management, issue tracking, and team collaboration. Kanban-style boards, custom workflows, roadmaps, and guest access give teams several ways to organize work; built-in Git repositories and Subversion support are a particular advantage for development teams. The main omissions are automation rules and time tracking, so teams that depend on either will need another tool or a different platform.

An open API supports custom integrations, and listed connections include Cacoo, Slack, Jenkins, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCal Sync. Redmine and Jira importers may also help teams moving from those trackers.

Key features

Planning and issue tracking

Boards support day-to-day task flow, while subtasks help break work down. Standard adds Gantt charts with a six-month view, burndown charts, and issue templates. Those planning views suit teams that need more than a board, though the Gantt horizon may be restrictive for longer-range planning. Premium extends Gantt viewing without that limit and supports third-level subtasks and custom fields.

Code and integrations

Git repositories and Subversion support sit alongside project and issue tracking, reducing the need to separate code management from work items. The open API and integrations provide options for connecting Backlog to other tools. However, the lack of automation rules and time tracking is a meaningful gap for teams that want workflow actions or effort recording built into the same system.

AI and enterprise controls

Premium and Enterprise include an AI Assistant with 2,000 monthly credits apiece. Enterprise adds SAML single sign-on, SCIM user provisioning, audit logs, centralized user and access management, and security integrations. It can also be installed on a private server, giving organizations control over data, users, security settings, updates, and permissions. These controls make Enterprise a distinct option for organizations with security or hosting requirements, rather than simply a larger project tier.

Pricing

Backlog uses freemium pricing, with paid plans starting at $35 a month. Paid plans have a 30-day free trial with no credit card required, but plans cannot be switched during the trial. Email support spans the plans; Premium adds dedicated support, while Enterprise includes an Enterprise Customer Success Manager.

PlanPriceWhat it includesFreefreeFree forever for 10 users, one project, and 100 MB storage; Git and Subversion; board.Starter$35 a monthUp to 30 users, five projects, and 1 GB storage; Git and Subversion, board, and subtasks.Standard$100 a monthUnlimited users, 100 projects, and 30 GB storage; six-month Gantt view, burndown chart, and issue templates.Premium$175 a monthUnlimited users and projects, 100 GB storage, AI Assistant, third-level subtasks, unlimited Gantt view, custom fields, and dedicated support.EnterpriseCustom pricingUnlimited users, with enterprise security features and private-server deployment.Free works for a small team testing a single project, but 10 users and 100 MB of storage leave little room for a growing portfolio. Starter raises the limits to 30 users and five projects, while retaining basic board and repository tools; it is the step up for teams that need more capacity without Standard's planning features. Standard is the first tier with unlimited users and adds 100 projects and 30 GB, plus reporting and planning tools. Premium is aimed at teams needing unlimited projects, more storage, deeper subtasks, custom fields, and support; its $175.00 USD monthly price is a substantial jump from Standard. Enterprise is for organizations that need its security controls or private hosting, with custom pricing.

Platforms

Backlog is accessible on the web and on iOS and Android devices. The platform range also includes an API and self-hosted deployment, with private-server installation specifically available on Enterprise.

Who it's for

Backlog is best suited to development teams that want project planning, issue tracking, and Git or Subversion repositories under one roof. Smaller teams can begin free if one project and the storage cap are enough; teams needing broader capacity can move to paid plans. It is a weaker fit for groups that require built-in time tracking or automation rules, or for teams whose needs do not justify paying for higher project and storage limits.

Pros and cons

Pro: Git and Subversion support alongside project and issue tracking keep code and work management together.

Pro: Free includes up to 10 users, a board, and both repository systems, giving small teams a no-cost way to start.

Pro: Standard and Premium add progressively richer planning tools, while Premium and Enterprise include monthly AI Assistant credits.

Con: Free is capped at one project and 100 MB, so it is a narrow fit once a team manages several workstreams.

Con: Automation rules and time tracking are absent, leaving teams that need those functions to supplement Backlog.

Con: Standard's Gantt view covers six months; unlimited viewing requires Premium at $175 a month.

Alternatives

Choose Linear if its free plan's unlimited members, two teams, 250 issues, and included Agent platform and Linear Agent better suit a team than Backlog's single-project free tier. YouTrack is worth considering for a free plan covering up to 10 users with 30 GB of storage, compared with Backlog Free's 100 MB. Zoho BugTracker offers a free allowance of three users, two projects, and 5 GB, which may suit a very small team prioritizing project count and storage over Backlog's larger user allowance.

For teams considering other free or open-source trackers, Bugzilla, MantisBT, Trac, Redmine, and Launchpad are alternatives; their listed plans are free.

The Game Bug Tracking Software, Issue Tracking Software, and Project Management Software lists offer more options by category.

Verdict

Choose Backlog if your development team wants project tracking and Git or Subversion management in one service, and its project-based plan limits fit your workload. Its free tier is a useful entry point, while paid plans add meaningful planning capacity and Enterprise addresses private hosting and security needs. Look elsewhere if automation rules or time tracking are essential, or if the cost of expanded capacity outweighs keeping code and project work together.