Your workspace is a tornado of 47 scattershot bug reports, and your email is spilling over with messages and screenshots. Slack, texts, and deadlines are closing in, and you’re stuck playing detective with messy reports instead of squashing bugs. Between all the emails and checking in on project statuses and updates, you’re more than a little overwhelmed.
You dream of a seamless day with detailed bug reports and easy team collaboration. That day is in reach with these nine key bug-reporting tools you can use for more efficient testing.
With strategically selected tools, code reviews and bug reporting don’t need to feel like chores. The best bug-tracking tools improve communication and make everyone's job a little bit easier. Here’s a rundown of nine bug-reporting tools that make testing more efficient:
1. Loom
With one click, Loom’s screen recording feature makes it easy for developers to understand and replicate bugs. Attach a Loom recording to your shared text-based bug reports, and your collaborator can reply with a comment or another Loom of their own.
That’s what the Founder and Lead Automation Engineer of Tropic Flare, Nick Canfield, does. “I use Loom a lot to explain new software features for internal tools for clients,” Canfield says. “I also use it to explain bugs and have clients send me bug videos.”
Real-time screen sharing and recording with Loom minimizes miscommunication and accelerates bug resolution. Your team can save a lot of time going back and forth about what the bug actually is. The screen recording also serves as a historical record in your backlog of how a screen or program looked before you fixed the bug.
Features:
Drawing tools: Highlight important areas in your screen recording so they aren’t missed.
One-click recording and sharing: Capture your screen and verbal explanations to make bug reports clearer and more informative.
Multiple integrations: Connect with tools like Jira, Linear, GitHub, GitLab, and more to support your existing workflow.
Loom AI: Turn your video into Jira or Linear tickets—or a written SOP or document, which can help when onboarding new teammates or sharing knowledge.
Pros:
Simplifies communication and improves accuracy
Generates a report and a link to your Loom video that you can submit directly to Jira from the Loom platform
Cons:
Needs a stable internet connection for smooth operation
More robust features come with the paid Business tier
Pricing: Loom’s Starter tier is free. Get extra features with the Business tier for $15 per month per user when billed annually.
2. Jira
Jira, developed by Atlassian, is a comprehensive project management software used by developer teams worldwide. Its thorough organization and robust features for bug tracking and advanced workflows make it an industry favorite. When paired with its Loom plugin, Jira is a powerhouse of a visual bug-reporting tool.
Features:
Customizable workflows: Create and modify issue workflows to match your processes.
Agile project management boards: Use Scrum and Kanban practices to track progress.
Advanced search and filtering: Quickly find and organize issues using JQL.
Pros:
Provides a visual approach to bug reporting when paired with Loom
Allows teams to tailor the tool to their specific needs
Shares detailed insights and analytics for better decision-making
Cons:
Complex for new users due to its extensive features
Expensive for larger teams
Pricing: Jira is free for up to 10 users. Paid plans begin at the Standard tier for $7.53 per month per user for 300 users.
3. Bugzilla
Bugzilla is an open-source bug-tracking software that's been around since 1998. It offers a robust reporting system with customizable email notifications for any changes made. When you want a snapshot of your bug database, you can use Bugzilla to create a graph with any two fields as the X and Y axis, filtered by the search criteria you set. It’s known for its flexibility since it’s open-source—but keep that in mind, as it also might come with more setup and maintenance.
Features:
Customizable bug fields: Modify fields to capture specific information.
Email notifications: Keep team members informed about bug updates and changes through automated email alerts.
User management: Manage user permissions with role-based access control.
Pros:
Open-source, free to use and customize
Focuses on core bug-tracking functionality
Creates graphs that give you a snapshot of your bug database
Cons:
Interface may feel outdated
Might come with more setup and maintenance
Pricing: Bugzilla is free since it is open-source, but encourages donations.
4. Zoho Bug Tracker
Zoho Bug Tracker is an all-in-one issue management system that helps development teams quickly exterminate software bugs. Teams can customize their bug-tracking systems and use time-tracking features to analyze how long it takes to fix bugs. You can also use it for team collaboration to resolve bugs without the need for another Zoho product.
Features:
Customizable workflows: Streamline workflows by automatically assigning, updating, or notifying based on predefined conditions.
Time tracking: Log time spent on bug fixes.
Integration with other Zoho products: Seamlessly connect with other Zoho tools.
Pros:
Offers bug tracking within a broader project management context
Makes it easy for team members to adopt with an intuitive UI
Offers affordable pricing for small to medium-sized teams
Cons:
Best for teams already using Zoho products
Some features may overlap with other project management tools
Pricing: The free plan includes two projects. The Standard plan comes with 10 projects and starts at $3 per month when paid annually.
5. Redmine
Another open-source software, Redmine is a project management tool and wiki known for adaptability. Its issue-tracking system supports multiple projects and lets users create custom fields and control access based on roles and permissions. Its version control systems work well for development teams, and it’s an affordable solution to project management and defect tracking.
Features:
Flexible issue tracking system: Customize issue types, fields, and workflows.
Time tracking: See how much time it takes to fix each bug.
Offers role-based access control: Control user permissions so teams have proper access.
Pros:
Free to use and modify, open-source
Supports multiple projects
Allows custom fields and control access
Cons:
Setup can be complex
Fewer integrations compared to some paid alternatives
Pricing: Redmine is free because it is open-source, but donations are encouraged.
6. ClickUp
ClickUp is a project manager’s theme park packed with bells and whistles. You have customized views, automation, and integrations with popular development tools at your fingertips. Even though bug tracking isn’t its sole purpose, you can efficiently bug track using its Loom integration. Pair ClickUp and Loom with the Bug & Issue Tracking Template to embed videos directly into tasks and comments.
Features:
Customizable views: Visualize tasks with list, board, calendar, and Gantt chart views.
Task-dependency and subtasks: Break larger issues into manageable subtasks.
AI-powered tools and integrations: Connect with many third-party tools for a seamless workflow.
Pros:
Combines project management, bug tracking, and productivity tools
Has many customization options
Offers a modern and easy-to-navigate user interface
Cons:
Extensive features can be overwhelming for some users
Requires time to learn all features and customizations
Pricing: ClickUp has a Free Forever tier for personal use. For extra features, the Unlimited tier is $7 per month per user when paid annually.
7. Linear
Linear is another project management and issue-tracking tool purpose-built for software development teams. It's speedy and efficient, with an intuitive interface, keyboard-centric navigation, and built-in automation for common workflows. Linear integrates seamlessly with development tools and Loom. Paste your Loom link into Linear's Markdown editor, which automatically embeds the video. Then, play videos directly from the issue description, comment, or document to add visual clarity to your product roadmap.
Features:
Automated workflows: Streamline processes with customizable, automated issue routing and updates.
Keyboard navigation: Quickly navigate through keyboard shortcuts for power users.
Loom integration: Embed Looms directly into Linear’s markdown editor.
Pros:
Directly links issues with code changes and pull requests
Widely used in the development community
Offers many integrations and extensions
Cons:
Lacks some advanced features found in dedicated project management tools
Can look cluttered during large, active projects
Pricing: Linear’s pricing starts with a free plan, and the Basic Tier is $8 per month when billed annually.
8. Marker.io
Marker.io is a simple-to-use visual bug-reporting tool. Capture screenshots, annotate them, and generate detailed bug reports straight from your browser. It integrates with popular project management and issue tracker platforms to make bug reporting efficient. Marker.io is accessible for non-technical team members and clients—its visual context improves bug report quality and reduces time spent reproducing and understanding reported issues.
Features:
Visual bug capture: Easily capture and annotate screenshots for clear bug reporting.
Project management tool integrations: Send bug reports to platforms like Jira or Trello.
Browser extension: Report bugs directly from web browsers without switching contexts.
Pros:
Simplifies bug reports with visual context
Works directly with existing project management tools
Easy for non-technical users to submit detailed bug reports
Cons:
Needs another project management tool to function
Focused primarily on the reporting aspect of bug tracking
Pricing: The Starter tier supports three users at $39 per month when billed annually. For more users, contact sales for Business pricing.
9. GitHub
GitHub is a software-building platform where you can track issues and fix bugs. Its Issues feature lets you easily create issues within your repository to plan, debate, and monitor work. Track everything from bug reports to new features and ideas. It can serve as your team’s parking lot for quick notes to jot down or discussion items so you can keep your development work organized and on track.
Features:
Issue tracking integrated with code repositories: Directly link issues with code changes for better context and traceability.
Automated workflows with GitHub Actions: Create custom CI/CD pipelines and issue management automation.
Project boards: Use Kanban-style boards for visualizing and managing issues and tasks.
Pros:
Has a large and active community of developers
Directly links issues with code changes and pull requests
Offers a marketplace full of integrations and extensions
Cons:
Steep learning curve for non-technical team members
Doesn’t have as many advanced features as dedicated project management tools
Pricing: GitHub offers a free plan, and paid plans start at $4 per user per month.
What to prioritize in bug reporting tools
Each of these tools works well in a testing workflow, so mix and match to your heart’s content.
For example, Marker.io shines with simple visual feedback, while ClickUp is a one-stop project management shop. Then there’s Linear and GitHub—your go-to for specialized software development projects. Ultimately, it boils down to what your team and organization need and want.
When shopping around for your bug reporting tool, prioritize the following features for a streamlined workflow:
Adaptability: Is the tool customizable to your workflows?
Integration: Does it sync well with your tech stack’s tools, like Jira, GitHub, or Slack?
Ease of use: Is the tool user-friendly for techy-savvy and non-tech-savvy team members?
Essential features
Once you’ve narrowed your options with those answers, consider important features and collaboration tools like these:
Quick bug capture and assignment
Reproducibility support
Commenting
Tagging
Task and ownership tracking
Status tracking
Workflow management
Cost considerations
Finally, cost is a significant factor. If your budget isn't enterprise-level, you’ll likely want to avoid tools with high-priced, enterprise-only features. But, you may need those features as your team grows, so pricing should scale reasonably with team size and have clear tiers without hidden costs.
Loom your way through efficient bug reporting
If you’re drowning in bug reports, simplify your workflow with Loom. Visually capture, describe, and document issues as they’re happening. Record and share information and fixes quickly with asynchronous messaging. Your collaborators can comment right on the Loom video or respond with one of their own—no more time-consuming guesswork.
Plus, Loom is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with other tools like Jira, GitHub, and Linear to add a visual dimension to your existing workflows. It helps you improve software quality so you can focus on creating a delightful user experience.
Ready to ditch the bug-nado? Streamline your bug-testing processes with Loom.