The job of testing team is to find defects or bugs in the software application under test. There is a need to record these bugs in a spreadsheet and report them to the developer to get it fixed. In a big project where the head count of testers and developers in a team are quite high and keep on increasing or decreasing periodically, there is a need to keep the track of identified bugs, defects, issues, flaws, error etc. The logging of the defects or issue details, monitoring the progress workflow for their resolution, management and escalations of issues tracking, etc. can only be achieved by using effective Bug Tracking Software. In this article we are going to discuss the overview of various bug tracking tools available in the QA market.
Essential Features of Bug Tracking Software/Tools:
Below are basic and essential features required by a testing team in a bug tracking software.
- Recording issue details: Bug tracking software should have features to record defect heading, description, additional comments, environment, project module, screenshots, files attachment, defect severity, etc.
- Assignment: Bug tracking tool should support to record the workflow of bug reporter, assignee, participants, etc.
- Workflow: It should identify the phases and track the timelines for workflow involved in issue resolution.
- Reporting: It should help in creating the bug reports, charts and email alerts.
- Work Log: It should summarize the work log and record all the possible comments from various participants involved in the issue resolution.
- Search Criteria: It should be flexible enough to help in searching the defect with its ID, heading, details, assignee, reporter, etc. Also this criteria should help in preparing the selective bug report and release notes.
Most Popular Bug Tracking Software:
There are many bug tracking software available in QA market but which one is the most suitable for project use depends on the project requirement and the level of management comfortability with this tool. Below are the popular bug tracking tools in QA market:
1) Bugzilla:
 | Original author(s): Terry Weissman
Developer(s): Mozilla Foundation Initial release: August 26, 1998; 16 years ago |
| Description: | Bugzilla is the most efficient bug tracking tool which is into use by many organizations. Bugzilla is server software designed to manage software development. It is an open source software and costs nothing for use. |
| Download Link: | https://www.bugzilla.org/ |
2) JIRA:
 | Developer(s): Atlassian, Inc.
Initial release: 2002; 13 years ago[1] Stable release: 6.4 / March 17, 2015; 4 months ago[2] Written in: Java |
| Description: | JIRA is a proprietary issue tracking tool. It provides issue tracking, defect tracking and project management features. It supports agile projects as well. JIRA tool has capability to directly integrate with development environment and it can be efficiently used for help desks, leave managements and support workflows. It is neither open source nor free. A 7 days trial version can be procured from below link. |
| Download Link: | https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira |
3) BugNET:
 | Original author(s): BugNet Issue Tracker project |
| Description: | It is an issue management tool. It has all essentials features required for tasks, defects and bug tracking. It has a Pro version which is licensed and paid version. It also has free regular version which can downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://bugnet.codeplex.com/ |
4) eTraxis:
 | Original author(s): eTraxis projects. |
| Description: | eTraxis is an Open Source defect tracking system. It has ability to create unlimited customizable workflows. eTraxis can be used for tracking almost anything like a bug or defect tracking, a helpdesk, and even a CRM system. |
| Download Link: | https://www.etraxis.com/ |
5) Mantis:
 | Original author(s): Kenzaburo Ito (2000-2002), Victor Boctor (2002 – present)
Developer(s): Various (Open source contributors) Initial release: 2000; 15 years ago Stable release: 1.2.19 (January 24, 2015; 6 months ago) |
| Description: | Mantis tool is very simple to use and has all features which are required for issue tracking and project management. It is a web based tool with its available mobile version. It is implemented in PHP platform and is a free source. For this tool hosting, they may charge a price which is very affordable. For more details, please check below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www.mantisbt.org/ |
6) Trac:
 | Developer(s): Edgewall Software
Initial release: October 1, 2006; 8 years ago Stable release: 1.0.8 (July 24, 2015; 3 days ago) Preview release: 1.1.6 (July 17, 2015; 10 days ago) |
| Description: | Trac tool is used for issue tracking but not good for bug tracking workflow. It comes with integrated SCM system which can be used for browsing the code, view changes, history, etc. Issues here are referred as tickets and same ticket management can also be used as defect management as per project requirement. It is an open source tool and can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://trac.edgewall.org/ |
7) Redmine:
 | Developer(s): Jean-Philippe Lang
Initial release: 0.1.0 / June 25, 2006; 9 years ago Stable release: 3.0.4 (July 7, 2015; 25 days ago[1]) |
| Description: | Redmine is an issue tracking tool which is integrated with SCM (Source code management systems). It is not a bug or defect tracking tool but can be put into use if needed. It is web based tool and can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www.redmine.org/ |
8) IBM Rational ClearQuest:
 | Developer(s): Rational Software
Stable release: 8.0 / October 10, 2011; 3 years ago |
| Description: | ClearQuest supports defect management process and provides integration with different test automation tools which help as additional feature. It is a client-server web based application which can be customized as per project requirement for defect tracking system. It is bit costly and free trial version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/clearquest |
9) Lighthouse:
 | Developer(s): Lighthouse’s Tender |
| Description: | Lighthouse is a web based bug tracking tool with its available mobile version. It is user friendly and simple to use. Defects or issues here are known as tickets and ticket management system can be used as defect management system. It helps in tracking activity stream, milestones, etc. In lighthouse one can upload the project documents online and access it by an interface. It is not a free product but free trial version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://lighthouseapp.com/ |
10) Zoho bug tracker:
 | Developer(s): ZOHO Projects |
| Description: | It is a task management tool which can be used online to create projects, milestones, tasks, defects, reports, files, etc. It has all the essential features required by the bug tracking tool. It is a cheap product and free trial version is available at below link. |
| Download Link: | https://www.zoho.com/projects/help/bug-tracker.html |
11) HP ALM/Quality Center:
 | Developer(s): HP
Stable release 12.20 |
| Description: | HP ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) tool is an end-to-end test management solution with integrated defect tracking system. It has everything included in it which is required for effective bug tracking and project management. It can be used in agile project as well. It is a proprietary tool and not free to use. However free trial version for download is available at below link. Also user reviews says it is not much friendly with different browsers. |
| Download Link: | http://www8.hp.com/us/en/software-solutions/application-lifecycle-management.html |
12) FogBugz:
 | Developer(s): Fog Creek Software
Initial release: November 2000 |
| Description: | FogBugz is a web based tool used for bugs or defects tracking. It can be used to create Wiki pages and helps in create lists, work assignments and project related information in terms of milestones. It is very user friendly and simple to use. It is not open source and free trial version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www.fogcreek.com/fogbugz/ |
13) The Bug Genie:
 | Original author(s): Daniel André Eikeland, Ray Jensen and Philip Kent.
Developer(s): Various (Open source contributors) Initial release: September 23, 2003; 11 years ago[1] |
| Description: | Bug Genie is a project management and issue tracking tool which is integrated with different SCM systems, issue tracking, project creation, wiki page creation, etc. It is a web based tool and user friendly. It can be used in Agile projects. Free trial version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www.thebuggenie.com/ |
14) BugHost:
 | Original author(s): BugHost projects |
| Description: | It is a defect management web based tool. It is very simple to use and has all essential features required for Bug tracking tool. 30 days free trial version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://www.bughost.com/ |
15) DevTrack:
 | Original author(s): TechExcel Community |
| Description: | DevTrack is a defect tracker tool. It can be stand-alone component or it comes as integrated with Agile Studio, DevTest or DevSuite. It supports both waterfall and agile projects. A free trail version can be downloaded from below link. |
| Download Link: | http://techexcel.com/products/devtrack/ |
Conclusion:
We have gone through the overview of 15 most popular bug tracking tool and have notices different tool has its own unique feature, pros and cons. It is up to the project requirement and cost that determine the selection of bug tracking tool. Below are other bug tracking software which can be referred through the respective info and download link.
| BUG TRACKING SOFTWARE/TOOL | INFO & DOWNLOAD LINK |
| DoneDone | https://www.getdonedone.com/ |
| Request Tracker | https://bestpractical.com/rt/ |
| BontQ | |
| WebIssues | http://webissues.mimec.org/ |
| OnTime Bug Tracker | http://www.axosoft.com/bug-tracker |
| YouTrack | http://www.jetbrains.com/youtrack/ |
| Unfuddle | https://unfuddle.com/ |
| InformUp | http://www.informup.com/BugUp-Bug-Tracking-System.aspx |
| Gemini | https://www.countersoft.com/solutions/issue-tracking/ |
| BugAware | http://www.bugaware.com/ |
| BUGtrack | http://www.bugtrack.net/ |
| TestTrack | http://www.seapine.com/testtrack/issue-management |
| TestLink | http://testlink.org/ |
| Assembla | https://www.assembla.com/home |
Many popular defect tracking tools are covered here. Which tool is you are using in your company or ever worked on it. Is that tool is listed in the above list? Please add your tool in the comment below and share your views on this.
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