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JTrac

j-trac.sourceforge.io

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Spec score 8.6 #5 of 40 in Issue Tracking Software

What it is

JTrac is a free, open-source issue-tracking web application written in Java and licensed under Apache Software License 2.0. It tracks bugs, action items, and tasks using project-specific fields and workflows. Administrators can set project roles, workflow states, and field-level permissions. Each project space supports up to 10 dropdown fields, 5 free-text fields, 3 numeric fields, and 3 date/time fields. Work tools include item history, file attachments, full-text search, custom-field filtering, dashboards, and Excel export. Status changes trigger email notifications by default, with SMTP configured by an administrator. Authentication options include LDAP, Active Directory, and CAS single sign-on; LDAP handles authentication only, so administrators must also create users and assign them to project spaces. JTrac requires Java 8 or higher, and a JRE is sufficient. It can use its embedded web server and database or be deployed as a WAR in a servlet 3.1 compliant container. The project lists developers, end users, IT, and quality engineers as its intended audience.

Spec sheet

Purpose
JTrac is a customizable, Java-based web application for issue and bug tracking.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Product
JTrac is an open-source, customizable issue-tracking web application written in Java.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Intended users
The project lists developers, end users, IT, and quality engineers as its intended audience.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Deployment
JTrac can run with its embedded Jetty server and HSQLDB, or deploy as a WAR in a servlet 3.1 compliant container.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Support
The developer guide directs users with setup questions to the JTrac forums.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
License
The project is licensed under the Apache Software License, Version 2.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Authentication
JTrac supports LDAP and Active Directory authentication, plus CAS single sign-on integration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Authentication limit
LDAP support provides authentication only; administrators must still create users and map them to project spaces in JTrac.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Custom field limits
Each project space allows up to 10 dropdown, 5 free-text, 3 numeric, and 3 date/time custom fields.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Custom fields
Project spaces support dropdown, free-text, date-picker, and numeric custom fields, with limits of 10, 5, 3, and 3 respectively.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Database and backups
JTrac stores database data and uploaded attachments in its home directory, which the guide recommends backing up regularly in production.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Email integration
Status changes trigger email notifications by default, and administrators can configure SMTP, including authenticated or SSL connections.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Installation
JTrac can run with Java 8 or higher and includes an embedded web server and database for quick setup.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Languages
The feature documentation lists translations for 23 locales.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Notifications
Item status changes trigger email notifications by default, and administrators configure the SMTP server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Project age
The introduction says JTrac development started in 2004.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Requirements
Running JTrac requires Java 8 or higher; the installation guide says a JRE is sufficient.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Search and reporting
JTrac supports full-text search, filtering by custom fields, dashboards, and exporting search results to Excel.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Security guidance
The installation guide recommends changing the default admin password, especially for internet-facing installations.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Tracking
It can track bugs, action items, and tasks using project-specific custom fields and workflows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Tracking tools
JTrac provides item history, file attachments, full-text search, custom-field filtering, dashboards, and Excel export.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Workflow and permissions
Each project can have its own customizable workflow, roles, and field-level permissions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io
Workflow controls
Administrators can define project roles, workflow states, and field-level permissions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io

Plans and prices

JTrac Free Open-source issue tracker · self-hosted installation Read 9 Oct 2026 · j-trac.sourceforge.io

Every JTrac plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Custom workflows, roles, and field-level permissions
  • Full-text search and Excel export
  • Email alerts on status changes
  • Runs with an embedded web server and database

Limits

  • Requires Java 8 or higher
  • LDAP authenticates users but does not create or map them
  • Custom fields have per-project limits

Who it suits

JTrac suits development, IT, quality, and other teams that want a customizable issue tracker they can host themselves. It is also suited to teams comfortable administering Java-based software and its user mappings.

Verdict

JTrac provides configurable issue tracking with search, reporting, and multiple authentication options. Teams should plan for self-hosting, user administration, and regular backups of its data and attachments.

Where Specifiction places it

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