Bug Tracking Software: Top 7 Tools

published June 19, 2023 - updated January 1, 2024

In a world where coding is skyrocketing, having reliable bug-tracking tools isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Coding bugs and glitches can be persistent headaches in our ever-changing digital terrain, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

In this article, we’re diving deep into the realm of bug-tracking tools – the unsung heroes that help keep your code clean and your stress levels low. We’ll shed light on how they work, their standout features, and how they can make your coding life a breeze. So whether you’re a coding veteran or just dipping your toes into its rich syntax looking for best free coding bootcamps, this piece is a treasure trove of insights you won’t want to miss.

Reviewing Bug-Tracking Software

Bug-tracking is a common issue. That’s why many good solutions can be found online. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to find the most efficient tools to make troubleshooting your code as time-saving and effortless as possible. Pay attention to the ease of use and integration possibilities. These features will ensure a seamless bug-fixing experience for you. Do not also underestimate the importance of customization and collaboration features as well. In essence, the “best” bug-tracking tool largely depends on your unique needs and situations. Thus, it’s beneficial to explore and experiment with a few different options before settling on a decision.

The Go-To Choice for Bug Tracking the Code

As there are a lot of programs that offer opportunities for bug tracking it can be hard to choose. According to Enrique Corrales, nonetheless, the choice of the best tool is clear, and it’s Zoho Bug Tracker. This software is simple, and fast and allows developers to use its features for constant issue management. 

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Zoho Bug Tracker

A screenshot of the Zoho Bug Tracker homepage from the list of bug trackers

Zoho Bug Tracker is a fast, scalable, and simple issue-tracking software. It offers issue management, bug automation, status reports, built-in collaboration, invoicing capabilities, and custom fields and workflows. This tool integrates with other Zoho offerings and popular third-party apps.

The Good
  • Automated alerts and custom views for easy bug tracking
  • Collaborative features like forums, chat rooms, and email functionality
  • Customizable fields and workflows
The Bad
  • Limited features in the free plan
  • Might not offer as many integrations as other tools
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Jira

A screenshot of the Jira homepage from the list of bug tracking tools

Jira is known for being a top software development tool used by Agile teams. It serves as an issue-tracking tool for developers, engineers, project managers, and non-technical team members. Features include drag-and-drop backlog priorities, integration with popular developer tools, built-in project management, and being Agile-friendly.

The Good
  • Agile-friendly and useful for managing small software projects
  • Great for integration with other popular development tools
The Bad
  • A heap of confusing features
  • Free plan is limited to teams with 10 or fewer members
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Bugyard

A screenshot of the Bugyard homepage from the list of bug trackers

Bugyard is a bug-tracking tool that collects visual feedback from customers and teammates within your website. It offers visual feedback, detailed metadata, a collaboration dashboard, and third-party integrations.

The Good
  • Can collect direct visual feedback from users
  • Provides useful metadata for easier bug tracking
The Bad
  • More focused on website development
  • Limited user count for its pricing plans
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BugHerd

A screenshot of the BugHerd homepage

Also a visual feedback and bug-tracking software, BugHerd is useful for anyone involved in website development. Features include point-and-click bug finding and reporting, no technical knowledge requirement for leaving feedback, and a Kanban task board for task management of bugs.

The Good
  • Visual feedback provides clear information on bugs
  • Useful across different departments and businesses
The Bad
  • Higher pricing
  • More suited for web development projects
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Marker.io

A screenshot of the Marker.io  homepage

Marker.io is a visual feedback and bug-tracking program that speeds up QA testing via annotation and markup tools. It offers detailed screenshots, user journey videos, built-in collaboration, and network logging.

The Good
  • Detailed screenshots and session replay videos for better bug tracking
  • Facilitates collaboration with stakeholders
The Bad
  • Pricier than some alternatives
  • Annotation and markup tools can be hard to familiarize with
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Smartsheet

A screenshot of the Smartsheet homepage

This is a spreadsheet-style tool used for project management and task tracking. It offers team collaboration via commenting, pre-designed bug-tracking templates, and workflow automation.

The Good
  • Spreadsheet-style layout provides a familiar interface
  • Pre-designed templates facilitate bug tracking
The Bad
  • Not specifically designed for bug tracking
  • Spreadsheet style is not as intuitive for bug tracking
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Monday.com

A screenshot of the Monday.com  homepage

Monday.com is a project management solution with issue tracking capabilities. It provides a centralized place for work and project communication. With Monday.com, you can easily track, manage, and resolve bugs and issues, customize workflows, and collaborate with teams.

The Good
  • Highly customizable and user-friendly interface
  • Multiple views like Kanban, Gantt, timeline, and more for different workflows
  • Integration with popular third-party applications
The Bad
  • Too complex for small teams with simple needs
  • Pricey for small businesses

Conclusion

Choosing the right bug tracking tool can make a significant difference in your development process. Each of these tools has its unique strengths and weaknesses, but all are designed to help you manage, track, and resolve bugs effectively. When deciding on a tool, consider your specific needs, the size of your team, and your budget. Remember, what works best for one team might not be the best for another. Therefore, it’s essential to understand your specific requirements before making a choice. Ultimately, the right bug-tracking tool will enhance your productivity, streamline your workflows, and make your software development process more efficient.

Choosing the Best Bug Tracking Software: A Buyer’s Guide

Bugs are a part of every software development process. They are inevitable, and they can cause delays in your project if not managed effectively. Therefore, a reliable bug-tracking tool can be a game-changer in maintaining the software’s quality and keeping the project timeline on track. However, with the myriad of bug-tracking software available on the market, making the right choice can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this buyer’s guide to help you select the best bug-tracking tool for your projects.

Understand Your Requirements

Are you spearheading a petite project with a small band of teammates, or are you juggling a colossal assignment involving multiple factions? Is your priority a tool that prides itself on simplicity and user-friendliness, or are you in need of a more sophisticated tool, bursting with features to manage intricate scenarios? Ultimately, the choice of your tool will hinge significantly on the scope and intricacy of your project.

Ease of Use

The best bug tracking tools should be user-friendly. The software should be intuitive and easy to navigate, reducing the learning curve for your team. Look for tools that offer user-friendly interfaces and easy-to-understand documentation.

Features

Pay attention to the specific features the tool offers. Key features to look for include issue tracking, collaboration tools, notification systems, automation capabilities, reporting tools, and integration with other tools you’re already using. More advanced features might include time tracking, project management, and invoicing.

Scalability

Your project will grow with time, and so will the number of bugs. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a tool that is scalable. It should be able to handle the increasing number of issues as your project expands without compromising on performance.

Integration

The bug tracking software should seamlessly integrate with other tools that you’re already using in your development process, such as your IDE, source control systems, and CI/CD tools. This interoperability will create a cohesive development environment, enhancing your team’s productivity.

Pricing

Consider your budget. While some tools offer robust features at a higher price, others might provide basic functionality for free or at a lower cost. Determine what features are essential for your project and choose a tool that offers those within your budget.

Support and Community

A responsive support team and an active community can be a lifesaver when you encounter problems or have questions about the tool. Check whether the vendor offers timely support and whether there is a vibrant community around the tool for peer support.

Security

The bug tracking tool will have access to your codebase and possibly other sensitive information, so security is a critical consideration. Ensure the tool adheres to stringent security measures to protect your data.

FAQ

What are bug tracking tools?

Bug tracking tools are software applications that help developers track and manage software bugs or issues. They provide a centralized platform for recording, organizing, and resolving bugs throughout the software development lifecycle.

Why do developers need bug-tracking tools?

Developers encounter bugs during the development process, and bug-tracking tools help them efficiently identify, track, and resolve these issues. These tools enhance collaboration among team members, provide a systematic approach to bug management, and improve the overall quality and reliability of Python software.

Are there free bug tracking tools available for developers?

Yes, some bug tracking tools offer free plans with limited features, such as Zoho Bug Tracker (free plan for up to three users) and Jira (free plan for up to 10 users). These free options can be a good starting point for small-scale projects or for developers who want to explore the basic functionalities of the tools before committing to a paid plan.

Can bug tracking tools integrate with other development tools?

Yes, many bug tracking tools offer integrations with popular developer tools, such as version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN), project management software (e.g., Basecamp, Trello), and communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams). Integrations allow for seamless collaboration and enhance the overall development workflow.

Which bug tracking tool is the best for developers?

The best bug tracking tool for developers depends on their specific needs and preferences. It’s recommended to evaluate different tools based on their features, pricing, ease of use, and integration capabilities. Consider trying out free trials or demos to get hands-on experience before making a decision.

Can bug tracking tools be used for different programming languages?

Yes, bug tracking tools are generally language-agnostic and can be used for tracking bugs in software developed using various programming languages. While the features and integrations may differ, many bug tracking tools support multiple programming languages, making them versatile solutions for development teams working with different technologies.

Which tool is best for bug tracking?

There are several bug tracking tools available, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s important to consider factors such as ease of use, integration with other tools, reporting capabilities, and the size and requirements of your team when choosing a bug tracking tool. You can find a list of the best bug tracking tools here, at A*Help’s website.

What is bug tracking and tools?

Bug tracking refers to the process of identifying, documenting, and managing issues or bugs that are found in software or applications. Bug tracking tools are software applications or platforms specifically designed to facilitate this process. These tools allow teams to track and prioritize bugs, assign them to team members, communicate about them, and monitor their resolution progress.

What is an example of a tracking tool?

There are various examples of tracking tools available, depending on the context in which tracking is being done. Some commonly used tracking tools include Zoho, Atlassian, Bugyard. You can find detailed reviews on them at A*Help!

How do you do bug tracking?

Bug tracking typically involves the following steps: identifying a bug, logging the bug, assigning the bug, fixing the bug, verifying the fix, and finally, closing the bug.

How do you track bugs in Agile?

In Agile methodologies, bug tracking is integrated into the overall development process. The following practices are commonly used to track bugs in Agile:

  1. User stories and acceptance criteria: Bugs can be tracked as user stories or tasks within the Agile framework, with clear acceptance criteria for resolving them.
  2. Bug backlogs: Bugs are prioritized and added to the product backlog or bug backlog, allowing the team to address them during the sprint planning.
  3. Daily stand-ups: The team discusses any new bugs, their status, and any impediments during daily stand-up meetings, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
  4. Agile boards: Agile project management tools like Jira or Kanban boards can be used to visualize and track the progress of bugs, allowing team members to update their status and collaborate effectively.
  5. Retrospectives: Regular retrospectives provide an opportunity to reflect on bug tracking processes and identify areas for improvement.

Why do we need bug tracking tool?

Bug tracking tools are essential for effective software development and quality assurance. Here are some reasons why we need bug tracking tools.

First of all, bug tracking tools provide a centralized platform for capturing, documenting, and managing bugs, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Secondly, these tools facilitate collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders by providing a platform for discussions, comments, and updates related to bugs. Thirdly, bug tracking tools allow bugs to be prioritized based on severity or impact, and they enable efficient assignment of bugs to the appropriate team members.

Apart from this, these tools provide visibility into the status and progress of bugs, allowing teams to monitor and report on the resolution process. and finally, bug tracking tools often offer reporting and analytics features, enabling teams to analyze trends, identify recurring issues, and make data-driven decisions to improve software quality.

What are the three kinds of tracking?

The three kinds of tracking can vary depending on the context, but commonly referred to types are time tracking, asset tracking and issue tracking.

Time tracking involves monitoring and recording the time spent on specific tasks, projects, or activities. It helps in tracking productivity, managing resources, and estimating project timelines accurately.

Asset tracking involves monitoring and managing physical assets or inventory. It helps in tracking the location, condition, maintenance, and lifecycle of assets, ensuring efficient utilization and minimizing loss or theft.

Issue tracking involves monitoring and managing any kind of problems, tasks, or requests that arise within a project or organization. It helps in tracking the progress, resolution, and impact of issues, ensuring effective project management and customer support.

What is the most common type of tracking system?

The most common type of tracking system depends on the specific context. However, in software development and project management, issue tracking systems are widely used. Issue tracking systems allow organizations to manage and track various types of issues, such as bugs, feature requests, tasks, and customer support tickets. These systems provide a centralized platform to document, assign, and monitor the progress of issues, ensuring efficient resolution and effective collaboration among team members.

What is the difference between bug reporting and bug tracking?

Bug reporting is the process of documenting and notifying others about a bug or issue found in a software application. It typically involves providing detailed information about the bug, such as its description, steps to reproduce, and any relevant attachments or screenshots. Bug reporting is usually done by testers, users, or stakeholders who encounter the issue.

Bug tracking is the process of managing and monitoring bugs or issues throughout their lifecycle. It involves capturing bugs reported, assigning them to the appropriate team members, tracking their status, and ensuring their resolution. Bug tracking includes activities such as prioritizing bugs, assigning resources, communicating about bugs, verifying fixes, and closing resolved bugs. Bug tracking is usually done by the development team or project managers.

What is the difference between bug tracking and issue tracking?

While bug tracking and issue tracking are similar concepts, they can have different scopes and purposes. Bug tracking specifically focuses on managing and tracking bugs or defects found in software apps. Bugs are typically considered as unintended errors or malfunctions that affect the functionality, performance, or user experience of the software. Bug tracking systems are designed to capture, assign, and monitor the progress of bugs, facilitating their resolution.

Issue tracking has a broader scope and encompasses tracking various types of problems, tasks, or requests that arise within a project or organization. This includes bugs, feature requests, enhancement suggestions, support tickets, or other types of issues. Issue tracking systems provide a centralized platform to manage and track these issues, ensuring their resolution and effective collaboration among team members.

What does a tracking tool do?

A tracking tool is a software application or platform that helps in capturing, monitoring, and managing various types of data or activities. The specific functionalities and features of tracking tools can vary depending on the context in which they are used. Generally, tracking tools provide capabilities such as: capturing and documenting data, monitoring and tracking progress, assigning and managing tasks or resources, collaboration and communication, and analysis and reporting. Overall, tracking tools aim to streamline processes, improve productivity, and provide insights into the tracked data or activities.

What are the three keys to proper tracking?

Proper tracking involves adherence to certain principles and practices to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness. While the specific keys may vary, the common keys to proper tracking are:

  1. Clear objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the tracking process. Understand what data or activities need to be tracked, why they are being tracked, and how they align with the overall objectives of the project or organization.
  2. Consistent and accurate data input: Ensure that the data being tracked is consistently and accurately recorded. Establish guidelines or standards for data input, train users on proper tracking practices, and regularly review and validate the accuracy of the tracked data.
  3. Regular monitoring and analysis: Continuously monitor and analyze the tracked data to gain insights, identify patterns or trends, and make informed decisions. Regularly review the tracking process, assess its effectiveness, and make necessary adjustments or improvements to optimize the tracking system.

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