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In today’s fast world, managing software development is key for all companies. But, with many ALM tools out there, picking the right one is hard. This guide will show you the best ALM software, their features, benefits, and prices. This will help you choose wisely.
Imagine making your software development faster, better, and more efficient. The right ALM tool can change everything. Are you ready to find the top ALM software to boost your team’s work?
Key Takeaways
- Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools help manage the whole software development process, from start to end.
- ALM tools have features for managing needs, designing, coding, testing, deploying, and running software.
- The best ALM software offers many benefits, like better teamwork, clearer views, and smoother processes.
- Choosing the right ALM tool can greatly improve your team’s work, making it more efficient and quality-focused.
- This article will compare the 12 best ALM software tools to help you find the perfect one for your company.
What are Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) Tools?
ALM tools help manage an app’s whole life, from start to end. They are key in software development. They help teams handle design, development, testing, deployment, and operations better.
Key Features and Benefits of ALM Tools
ALM tools have many features for each stage of an app’s life. They include:
- Requirements management: Keep track of app needs.
- Project planning and management: Help teams work together and meet deadlines.
- Code management and version control: Store and share code easily.
- Testing and quality assurance: Make sure apps work well.
- Deployment and release management: Make deploying apps easier.
- Collaboration and communication: Help teams talk and work together well.
Using ALM tools can make software better and faster. It helps teams work better together. This means apps are released sooner and are of higher quality.
| ALM Tool Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Requirements Management | Ensures alignment between stakeholder needs and application development |
| Project Planning and Management | Improves team coordination, visibility, and on-time delivery |
| Code Management and Version Control | Facilitates collaboration, traceability, and release management |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | Enhances application quality and reduces the risk of defects |
| Deployment and Release Management | Automates the application deployment process and ensures consistent releases |
| Collaboration and Communication | Improves teamwork, information sharing, and decision-making |
“Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools are essential for organizations looking to streamline their software development processes and deliver high-quality products faster.”
Best Application Lifecycle Management Software
Choosing the right application lifecycle management (ALM) software is key. There are many top ALM tools to pick from. They help make your software development smoother.
Microsoft’s Azure DevOps is a top pick, scoring 9.0 out of 10. Atlassian’s Jira is close behind with 8.9. Inflectra SpiraTeam, OpenText ALM Octane, and Jama Connect also scored well.
| ALM Tool | Composite Score | CX Score |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure DevOps | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Atlassian Jira | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Inflectra SpiraTeam | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Jama Connect | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| OpenText ALM Octane | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Rally Software | 8.1 | 8.5 |
When picking an ALM tool, think about your software ecosystem and team size. Also, consider your need for portfolio management and industry regulations. The right tool boosts your development speed, teamwork, and meets compliance.
“ALM tools help organizations improve software development and delivery velocity, enhancing competitiveness.”
With so many best ALM tools out there, you can find one that fits your needs. It will support your software development goals for the long haul.
#1 SpiraTeam
SpiraTeam is Inflectra’s top ALM software. It helps teams manage everything in one place. This includes requirements, releases, tasks, and code, with full traceability.
Its modules for requirements management and test case management are customizable. This makes SpiraTeam a strong tool for teams.
It’s perfect for managing projects and planning programs. SpiraTeam also has great configuration management and version control. It makes tracking bugs and tasks easy for QA teams.
The software also has features for electronic signatures and document collaboration. This is very useful for companies in regulated industries.
Pros and Cons of SpiraTeam
- Pros: It has lots of ALM features, customizable workflows, and strong project management. It also has great configuration management.
- Cons: It costs more than some other ALM tools.
SpiraTeam is a full-featured ALM software. It gives teams a single platform for managing the whole software development cycle. Its strong features make it a top pick for organizations looking for a flexible ALM solution.
#2 Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Server
Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Server was once called Team Foundation Server (TFS). It’s a top ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) tool. It works well with Visual Studio, a favorite among developers.
Azure DevOps Server has great version control and configuration management. It’s a hit with groups that use the .NET framework.
Visual Studio doesn’t have top-notch requirements management features. But, Azure DevOps can team up with tools like HP’s products. This makes Azure DevOps a great pick for teams needing many functions.
Azure DevOps Server’s pricing is a big plus. It’s free for up to five users and tracks up to three projects. For bigger teams, Microsoft has a monthly licensing model. It’s cheaper than some other ALM tools.
“Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Server is a comprehensive ALM tool that seamlessly integrates with Visual Studio, making it a go-to choice for .NET development teams.”
Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Server is a strong ALM solution. It mixes Visual Studio’s ease with top-notch version control and management. Its flexible pricing and .NET integration make it a solid choice for teams.
#3 IBM’s Rational ALM Suite
The IBM Rational ALM Suite is a powerful tool set. It helps manage the whole lifecycle of software development. It’s great for making engineering and development processes better.
Components and Capabilities of IBM Rational ALM
The IBM Rational ALM Suite has many parts. They work together to improve how teams work and manage projects:
- IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management (CLM) – It helps teams manage all stages of software development together.
- IBM Engineering Workflow Management – It makes planning, tracking, and doing work easier for teams.
- IBM Continuous Delivery – It automates the process of building, testing, and deploying software.
- IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management Base – It handles everything from requirements to tracking progress in engineering.
These parts of IBM Rational ALM offer many features. They support both Agile and Waterfall methods. This lets organizations fit their engineering practices to their needs. It also works with IBM Tivoli for better integration and management.
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.4/5 |
| Customer Service | 3.9/5 |
| Features | 4.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 |
Users give IBM’s Rational ALM Suite an average score of 4.4 out of 5. They like how easy it is to use and its defect tracking. Some say it could be better in reporting and interface. But, it’s seen as a strong tool for managing engineering.
“The IBM Rational ALM Suite is top-notch for project and test management. It excels in tracking requirements, tests, and issues, providing seamless traceability throughout the engineering lifecycle.”
The IBM Rational ALM Suite is a great choice for improving engineering workflows. It helps with teamwork, managing projects, and delivering quality software. Its features and success make it a strong option for many organizations.
#4 Rally (CA Agile Central)
If you’re searching for a top-notch Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tool, Rally (formerly CA Agile Central) is a great pick. It’s perfect for Agile project management and supports the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It has many features for businesses using Agile.
Rally shines with its resource planning abilities. It’s great for teams working on Agile projects. It also has strong testing tools, making it easy to link testing with project management.
The tool boosts teamwork with Flowdock integration. It includes chat and email to help teams talk better. Plus, it has deep Agile analytics and metrics for smart decisions.
Rally comes in on-premises and SaaS versions, fitting your needs. But, some users face issues with Internet Explorer. Also, the license cost might be higher than other Agile ALM tools.
“91% of Rally Software users are willing to recommend the solution.”
In summary, Rally (CA Agile Central) is a full-featured ALM tool. It’s top in Agile project management, testing, and Agile analytics. Its strong tie with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) makes it a good pick for big Agile projects.
#5 JIRA + Confluence + Bitbucket + Bamboo
The Atlassian suite includes JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Bamboo. It’s a complete Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution for software development and project management. These tools help teams work better together, manage projects well, and improve their software development.
Pros and Cons of Atlassian’s ALM Toolset
The Atlassian ALM toolset has many benefits for teams:
- Flexible and Customizable: The tools can be adjusted to meet the needs of different teams and organizations. This makes them very flexible.
- Open-Source and Scalable: Built on open-source tech, the suite is easy to integrate and grow with your team.
- Supports Agile and Waterfall Methodologies: The tools work with both Agile and traditional Waterfall project management. This helps a wide range of development teams.
- Strong Integration Capabilities: The tools work well together and with many other apps. This makes for a complete ALM solution.
But, there are some downsides to consider:
- Limited Future Viability: Atlassian will stop supporting JIRA’s server licenses by February 15, 2024. This makes it less good for long-term plans.
Overall, the Atlassian ALM toolset is a strong and flexible solution for software development and project management. It has many features that can help teams of all sizes and levels.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| JIRA Software | A project management and issue tracking tool used for planning and tracking projects and their corresponding issues. |
| Confluence | A collaboration tool for document and knowledge management, enabling teams to create, share, and store information. |
| Bitbucket Server | A Git-powered code repository that allows teams to collaborate using review requests and inline comments. |
| Bamboo Server | A continuous integration and delivery tool used for integration, programmed build and testing, deployment, and delivery. |
#6 Polarion ALM
Polarion ALM is made by Siemens. It’s a top Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) software. It helps teams work better, no matter their size.
This tool connects teams well. It lets them share data safely and talk clearly. This makes working together easier.
Polarion ALM is great at handling requirements management. It lets teams use data and code for different projects. This makes work faster and better.
It’s a top pick for big companies because it’s secure and works well. It fits teams of all sizes, from small to big.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
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In short, Polarion ALM by Siemens is a top enterprise-level ALM tool. It’s great for requirements management and team work. Its strong features and safe data handling make it a favorite for big companies.
#7 CodeBeamer ALM
CodeBeamer ALM by Intland Software is a top choice for managing the whole application lifecycle. It makes every step of app development smooth. This includes managing requirements, developing software and hardware, ensuring quality, and handling releases and DevOps.
CodeBeamer ALM is great for growing teams. It lets teams expand quickly without losing control or visibility. Users can also export documents to formats like Word or Excel for deeper analysis.
- Supports a wide range of Version Control Systems, including Subversion, Git, and Mercurial, with various workflow options
- Offers comprehensive Source Code Analysis features, such as Similarity Analysis, PMD Analysis, and Checkstyle Analysis
- Enables Continuous Integration Builds, allowing users to start Maven Builds, customize builds, and automate build and deploy tasks remotely
- Provides advanced traceability, allowing users to trace source code changes back to requirements, tasks, and bugs
- Integrates with a variety of third-party tools, including Jira, Microsoft Word, Excel, and IBM Rational DOORS
CodeBeamer ALM is a strong pick for those looking for a full ALM platform. It helps with requirements management, software development, QA and test management, and release and DevOps processes.
Best Application Lifecycle Management Software
There are many application lifecycle management software options out there. They vary based on your needs, budget, and industry. Some notable ones include AccelQ, Rocket Aldon, ALM Complete, and more.
SpiraTeam is often seen as the best ALM tool for most businesses. It has a wide range of features, works well with other tools, and gives great insights. Plus, it offers a great experience for its users.
Top ALM Software Comparison
| Tool | Pricing | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Targetprocess | From $20/user/month | Portfolio management, project management, agile planning |
| codebeamer | From $125/user/month | Requirements management, test management, traceability |
| IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management | Pricing upon request | Integrated ALM suite, comprehensive lifecycle management |
| Rally Software | Pricing upon request | Agile portfolio management, program management, reporting |
| Azure DevOps Server | Pricing upon request | Version control, build automation, test management |
| SpiraTeam | From $53/concurrent user/month | Complete ALM suite, powerful integrations, intuitive interface |
There are many other best ALM tools and top ALM software options. Polarion, Tuleap, and Jira are some examples. These tools have different features to fit various needs of organizations.
“Visure is ranked #1 in Best Requirements Management Tools and ALM Tools research by Info-Tech for two consecutive years.”
#8 Kovair ALM
Kovair is a full ALM solution. It helps from the start of requirements to release and DevOps. It’s 100% web-based, making customer support easy and keeping teams updated in real-time.
Key Features of Kovair ALM
Kovair has many strong features:
- It handles requirements management well.
- It tracks everything from requirements to release.
- It has great collaboration tools for teamwork.
- It supports many development methodologies, like Agile and Waterfall.
With Kovair, you can integrate with over 70 other ALM and IT tools. This makes it a great web-based ALM tool for any size team.
“Kovair’s seamless tool integrations and real-time visibility across the entire software development lifecycle have been crucial for our team’s productivity and collaboration.”
#9 Digital.ai Agility
Digital.ai, once VersionOne, has a top agile planning tool called Agility. It helps teams plan and deliver software projects better. This tool is part of Digital.ai’s ALM suite, including TeamForge for teamwork and delivery.
Agility follows the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) for planning and managing. It has features for Agile project management like backlog and sprint planning. It also helps visualize portfolios.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Enterprise Agile Planning | Agility helps organizations plan and execute enterprise agile initiatives, leveraging the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). |
| Portfolio Management | The tool offers portfolio-level visibility, enabling teams to align projects with strategic business objectives. |
| Backlog Management | Agility provides a centralized backlog for managing user stories, epics, and other work items. |
| Reporting and Analytics | The solution offers a range of reporting and analytics capabilities to track project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions. |
Digital.ai Agility is a strong tool for agile planning but faces competition. Tools like Microsoft’s Azure DevOps and Atlassian’s JIRA are also popular. Despite this, Digital.ai Agility is a good choice for those looking for a SAFe-aligned platform.
#10 MicroFocus ALM
MicroFocus, now OpenText ALM, is a top Lean Agile DevOps tool. It helps teams of all sizes make high-quality apps fast. It’s great for managing needs and working together with stakeholders.
It also makes it easy to do project tasks and keep everyone updated. This includes working with email systems.
OpenText ALM makes managing apps easier. It’s a central place for everyone to work together and track progress. It also helps teams make smart choices with its strong reporting and integration tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Lean Agile DevOps solution | Relatively higher cost compared to some competitors |
| Robust requirements management and stakeholder collaboration | Can have a steeper learning curve for some users |
| Seamless integration with email and other project-related tools | May require additional customization to fit specific organizational needs |
| Powerful reporting and data-driven decision-making | Potential compatibility issues with legacy systems |
MicroFocus ALM, now with OpenText, is a strong ALM tool. It helps teams of all sizes work better together. This leads to better project results and success.
#11 SwiftALM
In the world of Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools, SwiftALM is a standout. It’s a collaborative platform that makes IT program, project, and process governance easier. This helps organizations manage their application lifecycle smoothly.
SwiftALM offers many features like organization modeling and access control. You can set up resources, processes, and projects. It also lets you control who sees plans and reports.
It works well with NimbleWork, a project management tool. This collaborative ALM platform gives a clear view of your IT program management, project governance, and process automation. It’s great for businesses of all sizes.
“SwiftALM has been a game-changer for our organization. It has streamlined our IT governance processes, improved collaboration, and provided us with valuable insights to drive better decision-making.”
SwiftALM is perfect for managing complex software projects or overseeing large IT programs. It helps improve project governance and process automation. Check out SwiftALM and see how it can boost your organization’s efficiency and success.
#12 Targetprocess
Targetprocess is a top tool for managing application lifecycles. It helps agile teams grow easily. It supports SAFe, LeSS, and lets you tailor agile practices for your business.
The tool has a simple interface. It makes setting up workflows, managing requirements, tasks, and reports easy. It also has a Service Desk app for handling issues smoothly.
It’s great for small to mid-sized companies wanting to grow fast. Targetprocess is flexible and scalable. It helps teams adjust to business changes and deliver projects well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Targetprocess is a strong ALM tool for agile teams. It supports scaling agile practices and has a Service Desk. It’s a good pick for improving project management and solving issues.
Conclusion
The world of Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) software is full of powerful tools. Each tool has its own special features and abilities. It’s important to pick the right ALM software for your company. This ensures you get the most value and efficiency.
After looking at many options, SpiraTeam by Inflectra stands out. It has a wide range of features and high customer satisfaction. But, other top ALM tools like Microsoft Azure DevOps and IBM Rational also have great features. They might be a better fit for some companies and ways of working.
What makes the “best” ALM software is different for everyone. It depends on your business goals, how you work, and what problems you need to solve. By looking at the best ALM software and top ALM tools, you can find the application lifecycle management solutions that work best for you. These solutions can make your software development better, improve teamwork, and help your company succeed.
