Over the last few years, developers have had some superpowers. Or at least technologies such as open-source bug tracking enabled developers to do amazing things. And that’s incredible. That, combined with understanding user and customer feedback, has made devs more important than ever within a business.
However, there is one big challenge that comes with every new website or app. Something we – the tech-savvy people – call “a bug.” And those bugs are giving us, the developers, a hard time. And those bugs are the reason why we need to use bug-tracking systems in order to find, document, and solve these bugs.
Today, I’m going to present you with 17 excellent open-source bug-tracking tools that help you to get started with the bug-tracking game.
A bug tracker is essential for any web- and software project. In order to make progress with our software projects, we need a simple yet effective workflow that allows us to report, document, and track errors reporting bugs and failures that our software or website is causing.
Trac is more than just a bug-tracking tool. It’s an open-source project management tool, wiki, and issue-tracking system. Specifically designed for software development projects.
Trac describes itself as a minimalistic approach for web-based project management systems. It is minimalistic from a design perspective. Yes. But it definitely doesn’t lack any key features.
With trac you can enable to create project roadmaps and milestones, and you can even fully modify the issue-reporting area to your needs.
Since we’ve used trac on multiple projects over the last few years, we have an extensive experience with trac and its deep integration possibilities enable you to do a lot of great things.
However, I have to say that it probably takes quite some time to get a deep understanding of trac’s feature-rich user interface here.
Summary what is Trac
- written in Python and was initially released many years ago (Oct. 2006)
- great for tech-savvy software teams looking not only for a bug-tracking solution but for an overall solution for project tracking.^
- available under a modified BSD license
Further links:
2. Redmine – for tracking software bugs
Similar to trac, Redmine is a web-based, open-source software bug-tracking & project management tool. It also offers other project management-related tools, such as time-tracking, wikis, calendars, and other reporting tools.
Therefore, Redmine is definitely more than just a bug-tracking tool. Redmine is used by many web development teams around the world for managing their projects. With its features, it can easily be used for agile or scrum workflows.
From my perspective, it can also be an alternative to JIRA or to Microsoft Project because it offers similar benefits.
If you want to take an in-depth look at Redmine, I’d recommend this article on how to get more out of your Redmine projects
Summary of what is Redmine
- written in Ruby on Rails
- a cross-platform application offering a wide range of project management & -tracking tools
- released under the GNU General Public Licence, which happened many years ago.
Further links:
3. OTRS – manage software bugs
An alternative to Redmine is OTRS. OTRS stands for Open-source Ticket Request System and is a free and open-source ticketing system.
Being a ticketing system, it can not only be used for your bug-tracking efforts. With its help desk features, OTRS is a great, free customer service solution , too.
Summary what is OTRS
- OTRS is mainly used for customer support, ticketing, and issue tracking.
- Written in PERL, it was initially released in 2001.
Further links:
4. Mantis – Bug tracker
Initially released in 2000, Mantis BT is one of the old kids in town. Written in PHP and available in 49 different languages, Mantis BT is a widely used bug-tracking tool.
Mantis got its name from the Mantidae family of insects, colloquially referred to as bugs. That’s also the reason why Mantis BT uses a bug as its logo.
With the release of Mantis BT version 1.2.0, an event-driven plugin system was introduced.
As one of the elder kids in town, I found Mantis BT quite old school. Also, if you compare it to other issue-tracking systems and tools.
Summary what is Mantis
- Compared to other open-source tools, Mantis BT primarily focuses on the topic of bug tracking.
- Initially released in 2000, Mantis BT was written in PHP and is still used by a lot of development teams.
Further links:
5. Bugzilla – easy bug reporting
Bugzilla was one of the first web-based bug-tracking tools. It was originally used by the Mozilla project.
Bugzilla was (and probably still is) one of the best-known bug-tracking tools. And there was a time when there was no way around Bugzilla if you were looking for a bug-tracking system.
Today, Bugzilla is still used by big enterprises as well as some pretty huge open-source projects.
Summary what is Bugzilla
- Bugzilla’s main focus always was (and still is) the topic of bug tracking.
- Initially released in 1998, written in Perl, it’s an old dinosaur that is still around.
Further links:
6. WebIssues
WebIssues is an open-source, multi-platform issue-tracking system. As it says on its website, it can be used to “store, share and track issues with various attributes, description, comments and file attachments”.
The platform provides a simplified mobile version of the web client.
Summary what is Webissues
- Compared to the other covered open-source bug tracking tools, WebIssues is one of the less popular ones.
- Its clear focus is on issue and defect management
Further links:
7. Fossil
Fossil is another simple-to-use issue-tracking system. However, Fossil supports bug tracking and offers a wiki and other lightweight project management tool-related features.
The key component of Fossil is its distributed version control system.
Though Fossil is a pretty stable bug-tracking tool, its clear focus is version control. This leads to the problem that it might be a challenging tool for not-so-tech-savvy people.
Summary what is Fossil
- Fossil is written in C and provides issue-tracking features as well as project management tools.
- Its clear focus is on version control
Further links:
8. Monday
This simple bug tracker and all-around project tool is a user-friendly, web-based application for visual, straightforward, and customizable bug-tracking views and process management.
Cloud-based software like this makes getting information from end users simple. This Bugs Queue Template may be used to keep track of the issues.
Summary what is Monday.com
- Monday issue tracker can be used to customize the workflow
- Easily use this simple bug tracker filter to prioritize
Further links:
Official website
9. Trello
This bug tracker software can help you streamline your problem reporting and bug tracking process.
Utilizing these streamlined bug report forms can be used to get all the data you want.
The bug reports may now be prioritized, checked for reproducibility, and acted upon quickly.
You can easily track bugs by gathering specific data for your bug reports by adding new Custom Fields.
Summary what is Trello
- The Trello issue-tracking software can be used to send email
- You can easily adjust the date the issue was reported
Further links:
Official websites
10. Usersnap
This bug-tracking tool is one of the best modern issue trackers that can be used to log problems and fix bugs, right in your web browser. However, it’s not open source. Usersnap simplifies problem-tracking practically.
As the best issue-tracking software, the Usersnap program takes screenshots and provides annotating tools to help you track bugs in your browser. You don’t need to fill out dozens of forms. This program is a fantastic solution if you need a simple bug tracker to track bugs. You can enjoy this bug-tracking tool, since it doesn’t require a credit card.
Summary what is Usersnap
- The screenshots tool can be used to track issue immediately as it happens.
- Filling out the form is not required
- Track and manages issues in one central place
- You can Enjoy a Free trial with no credit card details.
Official website
11. Hubspot Service Hub
The issue tracking software from HubSpot makes it simple to identify what factors influence critical metrics like response time and customer happiness.
To understand the status of any problem, you can use the categories, statuses, and owner assignment fields to assign or escalate as appropriate.
Summary what is Hubspot Service Hub
- A client can easily receive an updated response
- You can be notified of your status in your mailbox
- Use tags to learn customer’s history
Further links:
Official websites
12. Request Tracker
Request Tracker (RT) is a versatile web-based ticketing and issue management system.
While its primary focus is on handling service requests and managing tickets, RT offers various features that make it a valuable tool for organizations of all sizes.
Key Features of Request Tracker:
- Ticket Management: RT excels in tracking and managing tickets and issues, ensuring efficient handling and resolution.
- Customization: Highly customizable, RT lets you tailor it to your organization’s specific requirements with custom fields, workflows, and templates.
- Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like ticket assignment and status updates to improve workflow efficiency.
- Reporting: Gain insights into your ticket data with built-in reporting and analytics tools, aiding data-driven decision-making.
- Access Control: Ensure data security with robust access control features, permitting only authorized users to access sensitive information.
- Open Source: RT is an open-source solution, offering cost-effectiveness and adaptability.
Summary what is Request Tracker
- Is a versatile web-based ticket and issue management system.
- Offers customization, automation, and reporting capabilities.
- Supports third-party integrations.
- Facilitates user collaboration and access control.
- Is open-source and adaptable to various organizational workflows.
Request Tracker is a flexible and cost-effective choice for efficient ticket, control user access, and issue management. Explore the resources provided by the RT community for in-depth information and guidance.
Further links:
13. Jira
Jira is a comprehensive project and issue tracking tool, well-known for its robust capabilities in managing tasks, projects, and software development workflows.
While Jira itself is not open source (it’s a product of Atlassian), it offers extensive features that make it a valuable asset for organizations.
Key Features of Jira:
- Issue Tracking: Jira excels in tracking and managing issues, tasks, and projects, providing clear visibility into project progress.
- Custom Workflows: Customize workflows to match your organization’s specific processes and project lifecycles.
- Agile Support: Jira supports agile methodologies, making it suitable for scrum, kanban, and other agile frameworks.
- Integration: Seamlessly integrate with other Atlassian products like Confluence and Bitbucket, as well as various third-party tools.
- Customization: Tailor Jira to your needs with custom fields, issue types, and templates.
- Automation: Automate repetitive tasks, such as issue assignment and status updates, to enhance efficiency.
Summary what is JIRA
- Is a comprehensive project and issue tracking tool.
- Offers customizable workflows and supports agile methodologies.
- Integrates with Atlassian and third-party tools.
- Provides reporting, analytics, and automation capabilities.
- Enhances user collaboration and customization.
While Jira is not open source, it remains a powerful choice for organizations seeking advanced project and issue management capabilities.
Explore the resources and documentation provided by Atlassian to maximize the potential of Jira within your projects.
Further links:
14. Open project
OpenProject is a robust and open-source project management software designed for collaborative work environments.
It offers a wide range of features to help teams plan, track, and execute projects efficiently.
Key Features of OpenProject:
- Project Planning: OpenProject provides tools for project planning, including Gantt charts, task boards, and roadmaps, enabling teams to create detailed project plans.
- Issue Tracking: Track and manage issues, bugs, and tasks with ease, ensuring that nothing gets overlooked.
- Agile and Scrum Support: OpenProject supports agile methodologies, making it suitable for teams practicing Scrum or Kanban.
- Customization: Tailor OpenProject to your specific needs by defining custom workflows, roles, and access controls.
- Document Management: Collaborate on documents within the platform, with version control and file attachments.
- Time Tracking: Keep track of the time spent on tasks and projects to improve resource allocation and project estimation.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate reports and use built-in analytics to gain insights into project progress and performance.
- Integration: Integrate OpenProject with other tools through its API, ensuring seamless data flow within your software ecosystem.
- Open Source: OpenProject is an open-source solution, offering transparency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Summary what is OpenProject
- Is an open-source project management software.
- Supports project planning, issue tracking, and agile methodologies.
- Offers customization, document management, and time tracking.
- Provides reporting and analytics capabilities.
- Supports integration with other tools.
OpenProject is a flexible and collaborative project management solution suitable for a wide range of project types and industries.
Explore the resources and community support available to get the most out of OpenProject for your projects.
Further links:
15. Taiga
Taiga is an agile project management platform that simplifies the project management capabilities, planning and execution with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
Key Features of Taiga:
- User-Friendly Interface: Taiga offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that streamlines project management tasks.
- Project Planning: Plan and manage projects using boards, backlogs, and sprints to stay organized.
- Task Management: Break down tasks and track progress efficiently.
- Collaboration: Promote collaboration among team members with discussions and file sharing.
- Customization: Customize workflows and fields to adapt to your specific project needs.
Summary what is Taiga
- Provides a user-friendly agile project management platform.
- Offers project planning and task management features.
- Facilitates collaboration and customization for tailored workflows.
Taiga is a straightforward solution for agile project management, suitable for small to medium-sized teams.
Explore Taiga’s website for more details.
Further links:
16. Phabricator / Phacility
Phabricator was an agile development and collaboration platform that offers a suite of tools to streamline software development workflows and team collaboration.
Key Features of Phabricator:
- Code Review: Phabricator’s code review tool facilitates efficient peer reviews, ensuring code quality and collaboration among developers.
- Task Management: Organize and prioritize tasks with robust project management features, including workboards and task dependencies.
- Version Control: Integrate Git, Mercurial, and Subversion repositories for comprehensive version control.
- Continuous Integration: Automate testing and deployment processes with Phabricator’s continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities.
- Code Hosting: Host and manage repositories securely within the platform.
- Wikis: Collaborate on documentation and knowledge sharing with integrated wikis.
- Auditing and Security: Ensure code and project security through audit trails and access controls.
- Customization: Customize workflows, fields, and forms to match your development processes.
- Integration: Phabricator offers API support for integrating with other tools and services.
Summary what is Phabricator
- Provides agile development and collaboration tools.
- Offers code review, task management, and version control.
- Supports CI/CD, code hosting, and documentation with wikis.
- Ensures security and customization options.
- Facilitates integration with other tools.
Phabricator was a versatile platform for software development teams, fostering collaboration and agility throughout the software development process and lifecycle.
Explore Phabricator’s documentation and community resources for further information.
Further links:
17. Zoho
Zoho Projects is a streamlined project management software that simplifies project planning and execution. It offers a range of features to help teams collaborate and stay organized.
Key Features of Zoho Projects:
- Project Planning: Plan and manage projects efficiently with tools like Gantt charts, task lists, and milestones.
- Task Management: Keep track of tasks, deadlines, and dependencies to ensure projects stay on track.
- Collaboration: Promote team collaboration through discussions, document sharing, and file attachments.
- Time Tracking: Monitor time spent on tasks to improve productivity and resource allocation.
- Reporting: Generate project reports and analytics to gain insights into project progress.
- Integration: Integrate with other Zoho apps and third-party tools for seamless data flow.
Summary what is Zoho Projects
- Offers streamlined project planning and management.
- Simplifies task management and collaboration.
- Provides time tracking and reporting capabilities.
- Supports integration with Zoho apps and third-party tools.
Zoho Projects is a user-friendly solution for small to medium-sized teams seeking efficient project management tools.
Explore the resources provided by Zoho to get started with your projects.
Further links:
Why open-source bug trackers?
Open-source solutions are a great and easy way to make yourself familiar with a new topic. Most open-source tools are the easiest way to learn something new or to set up a new workflow within your team.
And most importantly: They are free to use.
The Essentials for Any Bug Tracking Software
There are several essential features that should be present when using bug-tracking software. Here are they:
Integration
Being able to integrate APIs is vital when it comes to choosing the best bug-tracking tool. Developers might need to link numerous other apps for different reasons and uses.
So, you can watch out for this feature.
Test Reports and Analytics
Tracking test patterns and gathering insights for future QA initiatives is key during QA testing and the best bug tracking tools. You can easily modify and share data obtained from test metrics available in the bug-tracking software with team leaders and members.
Communication
Project managers, developers, and testers need to communicate effectively when bug tracking. Having a medium for effective communication in a bug-tracking system will engender clarity during the QA process and support software development initiatives.
Retrieval and storage
It is necessary to identify each entity in a testing procedure. Bugs aren’t different. An effective bug-tracking tool must offer a method for storing, retrieving (searching), and organizing bug-tracking information.
There are numerous benefits a bug tracking bug reporting tool accrues to you when you use it. Here are some of them and how they can help you:
Improved communication
With a bug or issue-tracking tool, members can maintain constant communication and be updated simultaneously with ease. It also improves communication, allowing easy solving of difficulties right from the beginning.
Bug tracking tools allow teams easy access to bug updates and reports. They enable staff to work together in solving problems. Communication is key in solving problems as a team; good bug-tracking tools enhance that.
Better products are created
If you can increase your bug-tracking speed, then you can definitely produce better products in less time. This is because, with faster bug and defect tracking tools, you will be able to deliver updates consistently and respond faster to customer feedback and issues.
A bug tracking tool induces better synchronization than manual bug tracking when using agile methodology, as you can regularly report bugs, push out updates and give fixes to existing problems actively.
Detecting problems before they occur
The ability to spot bug trends and eradicate issues before they occur is one of the most valuable aspects of employing bug-tracking tools. Tools do this by thoroughly analyzing issue causes and attempting to find patterns inside your code.
Ensure the bug tracking tool you choose must offer these benefits – they will make bug tracking easier. If it does not have it, you can request its inclusion as a custom feature. You should be ready to pay extra, though.
Lowering development expenses
Solving bug issues and tracking them faster saves time and, without a doubt, expenses. There will be fewer testers needed also. Enhancing the overall effectiveness of the process of software development results in generally lower development and testing costs. This means more funds available.
You can use an advanced reporting system to identify a bug’s root cause, increasing your bug tracking and discovering experience and reducing the number of bugs in the future.
Bug tracking software with a free trial and no credit card commitment
Get started, as no credit card is required to use Usersnap.
Use this bug-tracking software to track and prioritize bugs for free! Enjoy Free trial
We at Usersnap are fans of bugs. Yep. Because we accepted the fact that life is full of bugs. And we love them. Therefore, we decided to build our super-cool bug-tracking tool more than three years ago. If you are looking for an alternative to open-source and other bug tracking tools, I recommend checking out our very own visual bug-tracking tool.
It’s free for 15 days and allows you to easily set up a bug-tracking tool.
Also loved by non-developers.
Anyway: I hope you enjoyed our article on the best open-source bug-tracking tools. Feel free to check out Usersnap and give it a try. It’s free for 15 days. Otherwise, I hope to see you on this blog again in the future 🙂
Capture user feedback easily. Get more insights and make confident product decisions.
Getting feedback has never been easier and we hope you’ve realized that after reading this article. Let us know what you think, your feedback is important.
And if you’re ready to try out a customer feedback software, Usersnap offers a free trial. Sign up today or book a demo with our feedback specialists.
