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Bugzilla

bugzilla.org

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.5 #5 of 26 in Game Bug Tracking Software

What it is

Bugzilla is a self-hosted, web-based system for tracking defects, issues, enhancements, and other product change requests. It is free and open source, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with API access. Its search ranges from full-text queries to advanced searches, including time-based criteria. Users can choose which bug-change emails they receive, and scheduled search reports can be sent as often as every fifteen minutes. Reports can include tables and graphs, and can be exported as CSV. Administrators can tailor workflows, statuses, resolutions, and fields, then extend an installation with templates and extensions. Groups control who can view or edit bugs; an insider group can make comments and attachments private. Bugzilla supports XML-RPC and JSON-RPC services, several authentication methods, and MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle databases. Its Patch Viewer connects with LXR, CVS, and Bonsai. Support is community-based through mailing lists and chat rooms; the project does not directly provide commercial support.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Bugzilla is a defect-tracking system for tracking bugs, issues, enhancements, and other change requests in products.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Intended users
The project describes Bugzilla as a system for software defect tracking and says organizations may turn to it when they need workflow management, bug visibility controls, or custom fields.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Platforms
The project says Bugzilla can be installed on operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can run with Apache or other web servers such as IIS.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Deployment
Bugzilla is web-based software that must be installed on your own server.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Security
The project says Bugzilla uses Perl taint mode to help prevent SQL injection, has protections against cross-site scripting, hides group-restricted information, and locks accounts after a few failed password guesses.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Support
Bugzilla is community supported; help is available through a mailing list and chat rooms, while the project says it does not directly offer commercial support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Headquarters
United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · bugzilla.org
Founded
1998Read 28 Sep 2026 · bugzilla.org
Maker
The Bugzilla Project is managed by Zarro Boogs Corporation, a US non-profit incorporated in Michigan in 2023.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Access controls
Groups can control who can view or edit bugs, and members of an insider group can mark attachments and comments private.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Authentication and databases
It supports its built-in user database, LDAP, web-server authentication methods, and MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle databases.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Integrations and API
Bugzilla provides XML-RPC and JSON-RPC web services, and its Patch Viewer integrates with LXR, CVS, and Bonsai.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Notifications
Users can choose which bug-change email notifications they receive, and scheduled search reports can be emailed as often as every fifteen minutes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Reporting
Bugzilla can generate tables, graphs, and reports from bug data and export reports as CSV.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Search
It offers basic full-text search and advanced queries, including time-based searches.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org
Workflow
Administrators can customize workflows, statuses, resolutions, and fields, and extend installations with templates and extensions.Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org

Plans and prices

Bugzilla Free Free and open source · self-hosted server software Read 3 Oct 2026 · bugzilla.org

Every Bugzilla plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, open-source self-hosted software
  • Advanced searches include time-based criteria
  • Email reports can arrive every fifteen minutes
  • Custom workflows, statuses, resolutions, and fields
  • CSV export for reports

Limits

  • Must be installed on your own server
  • No direct commercial support from the project

Who it suits

Bugzilla suits software teams and organizations that need defect tracking with customizable workflows, fields, or visibility controls. It requires a server installation and community-based support.

Verdict

Bugzilla combines flexible defect tracking, access controls, reporting, and integrations without a software charge. Its self-hosted setup and community support model are important considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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