Teams across the globe rely on Jira to improve collaboration and project management across every part of the software development process, from initial planning to deployment and maintenance. Jira’s array of high quality add-ons give it the features teams are looking for across each of these stages, and the testing portion of the development lifecycle is no exception. These test management plugins help ensure the quality and reliability of each software release, but evaluating the many apps available on the Atlassian Marketplace can pose a significant challenge.
This is your complete guide to using Jira for test management, from getting a grasp on Jira’s core test management features to an overview of seven of the most popular test management add-ons available today.
Using Jira for Test Management
Jira is designed to help teams plan, track, and release software efficiently, and it’s a great choice for managing test activities alongside other software development tasks. Here are just a few of the many features that assist with test management in Jira:
- Issue tracking. Jira allows teams to create and manage issues, providing a centralized repository for tracking testing as it progresses.
- Customizable workflows. Teams can define custom workflows to match their unique testing processes, improving consistency and software quality.
- Integration with development tools. Jira seamlessly integrates with popular development platforms, like GitHub and Bitbucket, facilitating collaboration between the development and testing teams and providing visibility into code changes relevant to testing.
Beyond these core capabilities, Jira is backed by a vast marketplace of plugins, including popular test management tools like Zephyr and Xray. These add-ons enhance Jira's core capabilities and turn it into a fully-fledged test management solution. Jira's REST API even enables integration with custom or proprietary test management tools for teams with additional requirements.
Use Cases for Test Management
Test management validates software functionality, performance, security, and usability by organizing and tracking all test-related activities. Without test management, it’s hard to ensure that software releases consistently meet or exceed customer expectations. Effective communication and knowledge sharing fostered by test management tools contribute to better understanding of testing requirements and improve alignment with project objectives. Test management also helps cross-functional teams collaborate, allowing developers, testers, and other stakeholders to work cohesively towards common testing goals.
Test management tools support agile software development methodologies as well. They provide essential support for managing the evolving requirements and rapid changes that come with iterative development and frequent releases. In addition, test management lets teams pursue continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) without compromising the quality and stability of deliverables.
Top 7 Test Management Tools for Jira
The Atlassian Marketplace offers a multitude of Jira apps for test management. Here’s an overview of seven of the most popular, so you have the information on pricing and features needed to select the right test management add-on for your company.
1. QAlity
QAlity is a test management add-on that helps teams efficiently manage their testing processes in Jira. It lets teams define and replicate test cases tailored to their project needs, plan when tests are executed, and track test progress in real time. QAlity's integration with issue tracking in Jira lets users link test cases directly to relevant issues, improving navigation for themselves and other team members. Teams with enterprise-scale needs can turn to QAlity Plus for a wider range of features.
QAlity is free on Jira Cloud, while QAlity Plus is free for 10 users or less, with scaling pricing per additional user beginning at $1.50 per month. QAlity Plus is the only version available for Jira Data Center, with a starting price of $500 per year for up to 50 users.
2. Golive
Golive is a Jira plugin that focuses on managing test environments. It syncs with your company’s deployment and monitoring tools, providing a centralized view of release activities. Golive also includes an environment reservation management feature that lets teams reserve and manage test environments, ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately for testing activities.
Golive is free for up to 10 users on Jira Cloud, with additional users coming at an initial monthly cost of $0.90 per user. Its Data Center pricing begins at $750 per year for 50 users or less.
3. Tricentis Test Management
Tricentis Test Management is an app for Jira that provides an array of test management capabilities. It allows teams to define test cases within Jira while offering the option to automate test case generation by leveraging AI. Tricentis’ real-time reporting features give team members additional visibility into every part of the task life cycle as well.
Tricentis Test Management is only available on Jira Cloud and if free for up to 10 users, with a monthly per user rate starting at $2.50 after this.
4. Xray Test Management
Xray Test Management is a versatile test management add-on for Jira. Teams can use Xray to create and manage both manual and automated tests within Jira while leveraging Xray’s comprehensive test planning and reporting features. Xray Test Management is one of the most widely used Jira test management tools and is employed by over 10 million users worldwide.
Pricing for Xray Test Management starts at $10 per month for up to 10 users on Jira Cloud, with additional users costing $5.00 per month each to start. It is available on Jira Data Center for an initial cost of $1,740 per year for up to 50 users.
5. Qmetry
Qmetry is an add-on for Jira that provides test management features tailored to the needs of agile and DevOps teams. It includes AI for detecting "flaky" tests - those that fail during one test but then succeed without any changes in the environment. QMetry boasts integrations with a range of CI/CD tools, from Jenkins, to Azure DevOps, to Bamboo, along with a Confluence integration app that lets your team publish Qmetry macros on Confluence pages.
Qmetry is free for 10 users or less on Jira Cloud, with monthly scaling pricing per user afterwards starting at $3.30. Its Jira Data Center version is priced beginning at $1,320 per year for up to 50 users.
6. Zephyr
Zephyr offers two test management add-ons for Jira - Zephyr Scale and Zephyr Squad - to better meet the testing needs of both large and small organizations. Zephyr Scale, designed for enterprise-level test management, helps teams create, organize, and execute tests efficiently with features like reusable test cases, end-to-end traceability, and CI/CD tool integrations. Zephyr Scale on Jira Cloud is free for up to 10 users and a monthly cost of $5.62 or less per additional user. Its cost on Jira Data Center starts at $3,967 per year for 50 users or less.
Zephyr Squad is aimed at smaller teams and offers essential test management functionalities within Jira. It includes test case automation capabilities, real-time reporting, and compatibility with CI/CD platforms. Pricing for Zephyr Squad starts at $10.00 per month for 10 users or less on Jira Cloud, with monthly scaling pricing starting at $5.21 for each additional user. Pricing for Zephyr Squad on Jira Data Center begins at a yearly rate of $3,714 for up to 50 users.
7. Requirements and Test Management for Jira (RTM)
Requirements and Test Management for Jira (RTM) is a Jira test management plugin that lets teams define traceability links between requirements and test cases, ensuring alignment with project goals. The add-on also offers customizable test plan templates, the ability to import test cases from other sources, and reporting and analytics features.
RTM on Jira Cloud is free for 10 users or less, with monthly pricing for additional users beginning at $1.65. Its Jira Data Center version is priced yearly starting at $880 for up to 50 users.
Get Started with Test Management in Jira
Searching the Atlassian Marketplace to find the test management add-on that fits your company’s niche best is a daunting task. But with an Atlassian Solution Partner to guide you, you can make informed decisions that meet the needs of your business and your Jira deployment. Contegix is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner with years of experience assisting organizations with every aspect of the Jira ecosystem, from licensing, to install and customization, to onboarding staff. No matter what industry you’re in or how complex your test management needs are, Contegix’s team of experts can guide you through the selecting and adopting the right add-on, integrating it seamlessly into your existing Jira environment and your team’s current workflows.
Contact Contegix today to see how it can help your company get the most out of Jira for the lowest cost.