All IT projects needs a bug tracking (or issue tracking, or defect tracking) system.
Sure, we need a bug tracking system for a software development project. But, what about a sysadmin team, dba team, network team? They all need some help to track their work, and issues of their system, database and network.
I’ve listed 10 open source bug tracking systems, that you can experiment, and choose based on your taste and requirement. This is not a comprehensive list by any means. I’ve used all the systems listed in the top 5, and I strongly recommend that you choose one from the top 5 list.
I love bugzilla, and have been using it for several years. If you don’t have time to play around with multiple systems to figure-out which one you like, just go with Bugzilla.
What is your favorite bug tracking system? Leave a comment and let me know.
1. Bugzilla
Are you looking for a stable, actively maintained, widely adapted bug tracking system? Look no further. Bugzilla is for you.
This is used by various big open source projects to track their bugs. For example, Linux kernel development team, Apache development team, GNOME development team uses bugzilla. Red Hat also uses bugzilla to track the issues found in Red Hat Distribution system.
Bugzilla is written in Perl, and works on various databases including MySQL and Oracle. This step-by-step instruction guide on how to install bugzilla will get you started.
Bugzilla Features:
- Time tracking
- Private attachment and commenting
- Flexible reporting and charting. Including ability to to scheduled reports and receive it via email.
- Add custom fields and workflows.
- View full list of features here.
Additional Info:
- Home Page: http://www.bugzilla.org
- Developed by: Mozilla foundation
- Stable Release: 3.6.1
- License: Mozilla public license
2. Mantis
Mantis issue tracking system is written in PHP, and works on various databases including MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL.
Mantis Features:
- Source code integration
- Time tracking
- Issue relationship graph
- Custom fields and workflow
- Anonymous access
- View full list of features here.
Additional Info:
- Home Page: http://www.mantisbt.org
- Stable Release: 1.2.2
- License: GNU v2
3. Trac
Trac is written in Python. Apart from issue tracking, it also provides wiki, and integration to subversion. The web interface is very simplistic and easy to use. This also provides project management features including roadmap and milestone tracking.
- Home Page: http://trac.edgewall.org/
- Stable Release: 0.12
- License: BSD
4. Redmine
Redmine is written in Ruby on Rails. Apart from tracking issues, it provides a full project management features.
Redmine Features:
- Project management including Gantt chart
- Project Wiki
- Time Tracking
- LDAP Authentication
- View full list of features here.
Additional Info:
- Home Page: http://www.redmine.org/
- Stable Release: 1.0.1
- License: GNU v2
5. Request Tracker
RT is written in Perl. Apart from the standard issue management, you can use this as a ticket tracking system. RT Features:
- Time tracking and reporting
- Integrate with LDAP authentication
- View full list of features here.
Additional Info:
- Home Page: http://bestpractical.com/rt/
- Stable Release: 3.8.8
- License: GPL v2
6. OTRS
OTRS bug tracking software is written in Perl. OTRS has all standard defect tracking features that you would expect. View full list of features here.
- Home Page: http://otrs.org/
- Stable Release: 2.4.7
- License: GPL
7. EventNum
This was developed by the MySQL team, and written in PHP. You can use this as a bug tracking tool, or issue tracking system. This provides all the basic features that you might expect in a tracking system.
Home Page: https://launchpad.net/eventum/
Stable Release: 2.2
License: GPL
8. Fossil
Fossil is written in C, and uses SQLite database. Apart from bug tracking, it also provides Wiki. Installation is very straight forward, as it is a single executable that contains everything you need to get fossil up and running.
Home Page: http://www.fossil-scm.org
License: BSD
9. The Bug Genie
Bug genie is written in PHP. Provides a wizard based bug tracking software. It also integrates the openSearch functionality. Integrates with Subversion. You can develop your custom modules on top of bug genie.
Home Page: http://www.thebuggenie.com/
Stable Release: 2.1.1
License: MPL
10. WebIssues
WebIssue is written in PHP, and uses MySQL database for the server side. Everything in this top 10 list is web based bug tracking system except WebIssues. This is at number#10 because it doesn’t provide a web-based interface. You need webissues client that runs on Windows, or Linux to access the server component.
Home Page: http://webissues.mimec.org/
Stable Release: 0.9.6
License: Open Source
Did I miss any bug tracking system that you like? What is your favorite bug tracking system? Leave a comment and let me know.
My name is Ramesh Natarajan. I will be posting instruction guides, how-to, troubleshooting tips and tricks on Linux, database, hardware, security and web. My focus is to write articles that will either teach you or help you resolve a problem. Read more about
Comments on this entry are closed.
I would recommend Flyspray. It is small, easy to use/install, uses PHP.
http://flyspray.org/
Must have a look at it 🙂
I think you missed FLYSPRAY bug tracking system, its really good and I liked it very much, based on php and mysql
http://www.flyspray.org
demo.flyspray.org
what about JIRA?
I’ve just had a look at some of these and perhaps Flyspray might fit my needs, but I’m really after a change request/control system for a small number of Linux and networking/firewall changes.
I don’t need anything big or to meet any standards, it basically just for me to keep a track on things with some history and also so my boss can see what changes I’ve made. Have googled for the past month looking for something and nothing really meets the above requirement.
Any suggestions would much appreciated.
Thanks
@Keith:
I do think that Flyspray will fit for your needs. It is really easy to get used to it, understand it and to configure to such small needs. Give it a try for a few days and you’ll see. I think I was able to set it up in 3 minutes and use it in 10. 🙂
@Jeffrey Jira is great, but the topic is “_Open Source_ Bug Tracking Systems”.
I am using Mantis. It is easy to install and is a great tool.
I think all others are all good. But for me, it is Mantis.
The Bug genie 3.1 is out. REALLLY nice.
With a wikisystem, complete rewriten.
I want bug bit bug tracking tool.
Having problems installing redmine. Anybody can guide me?
Guys can you tell me is an excel sheet the simplest bug tracking tool. In our company we use excel sheet to report the defects,Quite simple but at the same time quiet tedious when it comes to regression testing.We dont write test cases. so the testing most of the times is adhoc.. in such cases, i,e without writing the test cases which is the best defect tracking tool?
what abt bugtracker….its the best tracking system
Redmine us great tool
I actually heard that bontq and jira are free for education, non-profits and small startups.
All you need to do is to contact the support and ask them for a free account.
Well, I can add some more software which is great at bug tracking and this is Comindware tracker. I have been using it for a long time and I can say that it is not worth than Mantis for example.
Rational CQ
What about Spiceworks?
Redmine is really a great open-source bug-tracking tool. You don’t regret.
Jira
I would like Jira as an issue tracking tool. Not only Jira is an issue tracker but also it provides wiki, crowd authendication. But one thing…It is not a open source…
bug genie is like jira…. impressive !
I would like Quality Center it I an best option but it is.it is most beneficial foe me so would happy with these.
Fossil is a distributed version control system, packaged with a wiki and issue-tracking capabilities. It can be used as a bug-tracker, of course, but its main purpose as a VCS should be emphasized more.
I am using bugzilla for a long long it is simple and nice and does work.
Hello all
I am working as SQA, We have started a new set up few years back. Currently I am looking for a tool or simple software, where I can report the BUG and errors we find while testing. Currently we just use SHARED GOOGLE DOC.
But I want a tool which is user friendly and very interactive. Simple as in Developers and Tester could use while closed eyes. Could you or any one here can help me in this regards.
Thank
I would say Mantis.
Used in various web developing projects and always worked nicely.
Also has the advantage of being totally user friendly.
Regards
Hey guys, I’m looking for a bug reporting tool running on CentOS 5. I’m after some really basic features as it’s enough if the user can run the tool manually after noticing an issue. The tool should be configurable so that it would then automatically archive our log files from couple of dedicated directories, maybe check the sofware versions, and ask for an error description from the user. Then it would put everything in an archive, save the archive on the users desktop, and tell the user to email it to a predefined address. Any ideas on where to look for this?
I prefer Bugzilla!
I think I will go with Flyspray
I am looking for simple bug track tool, I like to download bugSpray, can I enter e-mail id for testers, so when I update bug status, assignee should know status.i am looking some way of inform status to all project members (developers, testers, project managers)
I ended up going with Redmine and it really has worked out very well. When I first looked at it I thought it was too much for what I wanted, but then after taking another look and customising it to suit my needs I’m now using this for CR, Projects both personal and work and anything else that I have come up and not sure where to put the info. The built in Wiki and Documentation section is also very good.
Just thought I would add this feedback after seeing these comments again after all this time!
Thanks for the informative article.
Will you tell me the best a Ms user friendly bug tracking tool. I am using it to check the bug and defects and genrating the report. Its look easy but some time horriable. When i start testing it comes to regression. I cant write test cases so most of time its bit difficult. So tell me the best way for tracking bugs.
track is the best tool for windows os it is essay to install & use.
Please can any tell which tool is best because i am beginner… please
Stay away from Redmine if you value your sanity. It’s a great tool and makes you addicted to it, but deployment and upgrades are such a PITA that it kills every benefit it has twice over. Trying to get it running is like a time back to the 1990s when we compiled our own text editors from source. And the documentation is horrible.
Trac is great, but shows its age, as does Mantis. JIRA requires a Java environment. Right now, there really is no tool on the market that takes it home. There’s an opportunity there to take from each one what they did right and make the one great tool of the future. I hope someone does.
jira is also a bug tracking tool or not???
Hey, Eventom is no longer available.
It says “Page Not Found”.
*note that MySQL is part of oracle now. Surely they use their own software.
Redmine is great, but needs some work to get running.
Using “redmine git hosting” plugin, you can even easily host git repositories.
Have been using Bugzilla in our project. It is good with some limitation on the Search functionality.
Hi,
I am new to SVN and JIRA. I am asked to set up a svn pre-commit hook which blocks developers from committing to repository without entering “Open Jira” ticket number.
If there is no open jira ticket mentioned in the comment, that commit will be rejected and will not be saved to the repository.
That why, we can know what open jira ticket is being currently dealt with. Our svn repositories are on Linux. Please help, I will very be thankful to you.
I have used Eventum (not EventNum or Eventom), Jira, and a variety of other tracking systems. When trying to evaluate which is better than the others, consider which platform requirements you will be installing the system, along with any programming skills you have in-house that you might used for customizing and enhancing the system. If you are on a PHP/MySQL platform, I recommend Eventum or Mantis. In both cases, since they are open source, you can do a lot of customizing (assuming your programmers are writing PHP and using MySQL already). Be careful when you customize the system, because upgrades most likely will step on any code written into the core product. Careful upfront planning can avoid this…. but I am not going to give away anything for free here.
Redmine is beautiful and free, but hard to install.
Flyspray is nice, too. I’m gonna use it now. Thanks!!
Looking for a free to use “defect management tool “for the short term, and has the ability to upload an excel file.
Ideally
Data fields can be configured
Data stored is secured.
Easy to upload
Please accept my sincere thanks in advance.
Quite simple list 🙁
Coul You at least mark is given tool a cloud solution or can be installed locally, what OSes are supported, how long it is developed and how many developers / companies are involved (this help asses stability of the project)?