Best ALM Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best ALM software:
Managing software development can be a headache. Whether you're juggling multiple projects or dealing with team coordination, the right ALM software can ease your burdens.
In my experience, these tools help you track progress, manage resources, and keep everyone on the same page. I understand the challenges you face, and I've tested and reviewed various options to find the best fit for your needs.
In this article, I'll share unbiased, well-researched reviews of top ALM software. You'll get insights into their features, strengths, and who they're best suited for. Let's find the perfect solution to make your work life a bit easier.
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Best ALM Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top ALM software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best ALM software for requirements management | 30-day free trial | Pricing Upon Request | Website | |
| 2 | Best for systems engineering and embedded systems | 30 days free trial | Pricing available upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best ALM software for SAFe and/or LeSS frameworks | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best ALM software for safety-critical industries | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best ALM software for small teams & startups | Free demo available | From $14.78/user/month | Website | |
| 6 | Best ALM software for flexibility & scalability | 7-day free trial + free plan available | From $7.16/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats) | Website | |
| 7 | Best ALM software for risk- & CAPA-management | Not available | From about $69/user/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best ALM software for easy setup and implementation | Not available | From approx. $150/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best ALM software for a robust integrations ecosystem | Free demo available | From $29/month/user | Website | |
| 10 | Best ALM software for enterprises | Free for 5 users or less. | From $1/user/month | Website |
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Best ALM Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best ALM software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Jama Software is an award-winning requirements management software that can tailor to any application lifecycle management strategy. They offer industry-specific solutions for medical devices, automotive and semiconductors, aerospace and defense, software development, and industrial manufacturing.
Some key features of Jama Software include end-to-end live traceability of people, data, and processes, along with real-time impact analysis, reviews, and approvals with team collaboration. Additionally, they offer the ability to accurately capture and communicate requirements, goals, progress, and interdependencies throughout the development process.
You can integrate Jama Connect requirements and test plans with ALM, PLM, QA, and MBSE. With API integrations and third-party integration hubs, teams can work in familiar tools while contributing to projects in Jama Connect.
Jama Connect licenses are available on a user and floating basis through an annual subscription model.
Pricing and trial information is available upon request.
New Product Updates from Jama Software
Enhanced Reporting, Inactive-User Timeout, and Improved Stability
Jama Software's version 9.25 update enhances license usage reporting, introduces an inactive-user timeout, and improves accessibility in Reviews. It also resolves customer-reported issues for improved stability. More details at: Jama Software Release Notes.
Visure is known as the breakthrough vendor in ALM platforms, offering a product that allows companies of all sizes to perform advanced requirements management throughout the application lifecycle. Their Requirements ALM solution was built to address embedded systems and system engineering needs, offering a single unified requirements ALM platform capable of supporting different development lifecycle processes. This solution factors in all aspects of system engineering development, including product software, embedded software, electrical, mechanical and hardware requirements, and enterprise IT development.
The platform supports several lifecycle management activities including requirements management, bug and issue management, change management, risk management, testing, configuration management, quality management, and reporting. Its end-to-end requirement traceability is defined through a graphical representation that automatically enforces traceability throughout projects. The centralized database allows multiple distributed stakeholders to collaborate in one platform.
The software's API integrates with 3rd party tools such as modeling tools, other RM tools, prototyping tools, bug-tracking tools, testing tools, project management tools, ALM tools, and PLM tools.
Visure’s pricing information is available on request. A 30-day free trial is available as well as demos and product sheets.
Targetprocess is an Agile project management tool that uses SAFe, LeSS, or your own framework to assist in your application lifecycle systems and strategy. It is currently used by Chevron, Belfius, ePay, and Callrail for their various product management initiatives.
Targetprocess boasts an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface that encompases workflow configuration, task management, requirements management, and web-based administration (field-level mapping, automated conflict resolution). You can set up reporting dashboards at the portfolio, program, or product level.
Targetprocess comes with 60+ pre-built integrations and offers plugins, mashups, webhooks, REST API and SDK to sync with your existing SLDC tools. It’s available as a SaaS and as an on-premise solution.
Targetprocess costs from $20/user/month. They also offer a free Team version with unlimited users.
codebeamer is an integrated ALM platform created by Inland Software that specializes in advanced software or product development in safety-critical industries like medical, automotive, and aviation.
codebeamer’s core capabilities include ALM, requirements management, software development, QA and test management, IT operations and DevOps, demand management, risk management, and variants management.
codebeamer integrates with Jira, Microsoft Word, Excel, IBM Rational DOORS, and plenty more.
codebeamer is available as an on-premise or cloud-hosted SaaS starting at $125/user/month. A free 30-day trial is available.
Tuleap is an all-in-one, open source ALM software that provides an open framework for various ALM configurations. And by “various configurations” we really mean anything. The tool is marketed as “designed to be re-designed” so that you can integrate any number of tools you are already using: project management, requirements management, code versioning, code review, CI, test management, documentation, collaboration, and tracking.
One of the best things about Tuleap (like many open source tools) is the robust community support that users can tap into—or even add to themselves. The team at Tuleap further enhances these resources with their own webinars, live training, tutorials, and Q&A sessions.
This is a great ALM tool for teams who use, and like using, a lot of different tools and simply want a central place to integrate them.
Tuleap integrates with Jira, Jenkins, and GitLab.Paid versions of Tuleap cost from €5/user/month (~ $5.71 USD/user/month).
Atlassian is a household name in software development circles that is geared toward Agile development teams in anything from startups to corporate enterprises. They are perfect for Agile ALM workflows and processes.
The Atlassian software suite for ALM can include any number of Atlassian products, sold separately, that integrate with one another.
These include Jira (task and project management), Confluence (collaboration), HipChat (real-time messaging), Bitbucket and Stash (code management and software developing tools), and add-ons like Jira Service Desk (issue management and support).
These are available on-premise or as SaaS.Jira is well-known for integrating with a wide variety of tools, including ones for data analysis, bug tracking, project management, resource planning, and communications.
Their apps marketplace is home to thousands of apps that easily connect with Jira, from Slack, Zoom, GitHub, Zendesk, and many more.
Jira costs from $10/month for 1-10 users.
Best ALM software for risk- & CAPA-management
Orcanos Application Lifecycle Management is a secure, robust, and simple platform used for ALM by companies like GE, Medtronic, ReWAlk, and Zimmer. They offer ALM systems as well as tools for research and development (like requirements management and testing).
Orcancos’ ALM system provides a single data repository for R&D quality and regulations, end-to-end traceability (project requirements, test cases, FMEA risk items, CAPA and customer complaints), document generation, and impact analysis.
Orcanos doesn’t go out of their way to promote available integrations. However, this is because they really are an “all-in-one” tool that–in many cases–won’t require supplementary software to get the job done.
Orcanos Application Lifecycle Management costs from about $69/user/month.
Micro Focus (formerly HPE ALM) has product development and issue management suite that makes it a perfect ALM solution. They also have tools for customer support and helpdesk, contract management, asset management, business support, project management, CRM, and service management. Micro Focus is great for teams that deal with all sorts of customers and contacts across their product portfolio.
Their full coverage solution to development and customer service makes them ideal for large ongoing projects as well as fast ad hoc-solutions in all your departments.
Micro Focus can be integrated with third-party tools through its REST API, and it comes with out-of-the-box integrations with leading tools like TFS, Jira, Jenkins, Git, and Visual Studio.
Micro Focus ALM Software costs from approx. $150/month.
TeamForge is a traditional ALM solution focused on bi-modal development that is especially suited for companies in the embedded and/or IoT space. Key features include collaboration, end-to-end traceability across disparate tools, version control, and monitoring, reporting, and analysis capabilities.
Digital.ai (previously CollabNet) owns a series of software for traditional ALM, version control, Agile management, and DevOps.
TeamForge is their ALM solution and it integrates completely with their other tools if you need them.Collabnet VersionOne comes with 80+ pre-built integrations with leading tools like Jira, CA Agile, ServiceNow, Microsoft TFS, HP, Salesforce, Perforce, GitHub, Jenkins (and the list goes on).
Collabnet VersionOne costs from $29/month/user.
In 2018, Microsoft rebranded their Visual Studio Team Service (VSTS) as Azure DevOps. Whether you consider this an ALM tool depends on how you define ALM, but Azure DevOps does work much like an ALM solution. It provides a standardized environment for managing a software application through its complete lifecycle with a unified DevOps approach.
You can further expand Microsoft Azure DevOps’ capabilities by connecting it to their first-party Microsoft Power Platform. This opens up the ability to build data-driven business solutions with Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual.
As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, Azure DevOps offers dozens of pre-built integrations and a readily accessible library of extensions.
Azure costs from $1/user/month. It’s free for 5 users or less.
Other ALM Software
Here are some additional ALM software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Visure
All-in-one open ALM platform
- Polarion
For built-in test and issue management
- VisionFlow
Combined project management & ALM
- IBM CLM
ALM platform for existing IBM users
- Rocket Aldon ALM Software
For ALM + change management working together
- Enterprise Architect
ALM platform for fast, intuitive modeling and design
- Rommana ALM
For traceability of requirements
- Rocket Application Lifecycle Management
For built-in change management capabilities
- Digite SwiftEnterprise
ALM platform for lean and Agile teams
- SpiraTeam
Cloud-based ALM for software development lifecycles & defect tracking
- Perforce Helix ALM
For creating requirements and sharing requirements documents
- Kovair ALM Studio
ALM platform for automating task workflows
ALM Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best ALM software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like integration challenges and team collaboration efficiency. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage project requirements
- Track project progress
- Facilitate team collaboration
- Automate workflows
- Provide reporting and analytics
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Customizable dashboards
- Integration with third-party tools
- Real-time collaboration features
- Advanced security options
- Mobile accessibility
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Consistent performance
- Aesthetic design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Access to templates
- Interactive product tours
- Responsive chatbots
- Regular webinars
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple support channels
- Quick response times
- Access to a knowledge base
- Personalized assistance
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible pricing plans
- Free trial availability
- Feature set vs. cost
- Discounts for annual subscriptions
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly reported issues
- Praise for specific features
- Feedback on customer service
- Frequency of updates and improvements
How to Choose ALM Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your team? Ensure it can handle increased users and data without performance issues. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your existing tools? Check for compatibility with essential software like Jira, Slack, or GitHub. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your workflow? Look for adjustable dashboards, workflows, and reports to align with your needs. |
| Ease of use | Is it user-friendly for your team? Avoid tools with steep learning curves or confusing interfaces that slow down productivity. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Consider the time and resources needed for setup and training, and look for tools that offer guided onboarding sessions. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing plans and watch for hidden fees. Consider the long-term value vs. initial costs. |
| Security safeguards | How secure is your data? Ensure the software complies with industry standards and offers encryption, access controls, and regular audits. |
What Is ALM Software?
ALM software is a tool that helps manage the entire lifecycle of software development projects from planning to deployment. Professionals like project managers, developers, and IT teams use these tools to improve collaboration and project efficiency. Features like project tracking, team collaboration, and reporting support better decision-making and coordination. Overall, these tools help teams deliver quality software on time and within budget.
Features
When selecting ALM software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Project tracking: Allows teams to monitor progress and deadlines, ensuring timely delivery of projects.
- Team collaboration: Facilitates communication and coordination among team members to enhance productivity.
- Workflow automation: Automates repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual errors.
- Customizable dashboards: Offers tailored views and reports to fit specific project needs and preferences.
- Integration capabilities: Connects seamlessly with other tools like Jira, Slack, or GitHub for enhanced functionality.
- Security safeguards: Ensures data protection with encryption, access controls, and regular audits.
- Reporting and analytics: Provides insights into project performance and helps in making informed decisions.
- User-friendly interface: Makes it easy for teams to navigate and use the software without extensive training.
- Scalability: Supports growing teams and projects without compromising on performance.
- Mobile accessibility: Allows access to project information on-the-go through mobile devices.
Benefits
Implementing ALM software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved collaboration: Enhances teamwork by providing tools for effective communication and coordination.
- Increased efficiency: Automates workflows and reduces manual errors, saving time and resources.
- Better project visibility: Offers real-time tracking and reporting, keeping everyone informed about project status and progress.
- Enhanced decision-making: Provides analytics and insights that help in making informed choices and adjustments.
- Scalability: Supports the growth of your team and projects without performance issues, accommodating future needs.
- Data security: Protects sensitive information through encryption and access controls, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Flexibility: Allows customization of dashboards and reports to fit specific project requirements, adapting to various workflows.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting ALM software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in ALM software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for ALM Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic project tracking, limited integrations, and community support. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Project tracking, team collaboration tools, and basic reporting and analytics. |
| Business Plan | $30-$60/user/month | Advanced reporting, workflow automation, customizable dashboards, and support. |
| Enterprise Plan | $70-$150/user/month | Full integrations, enhanced security, dedicated support, and scalability options. |
ALM Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about ALM software:
What is the difference between ALM and PLM software?
ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) focuses on managing the lifecycle of software applications, from development to deployment. PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) deals with the entire lifecycle of a physical product, from design to disposal. If you’re managing software projects, ALM is your go-to tool. PLM is more suitable for companies producing tangible goods, like electronics or machinery.
Can ALM software integrate with other tools?
Yes, most ALM software can integrate with other tools. Common integrations include project management tools like Jira, communication platforms like Slack, and version control systems like GitHub. Check the specific ALM software’s documentation or support to ensure it connects with your existing tools, allowing for smoother workflows.
Is it necessary to train my team to use ALM software?
Yes, training is essential for effective use of ALM software. It ensures your team understands the tool’s features and can integrate it into their workflow. Many providers offer training resources like videos, webinars, and interactive tours. Investing time in training can lead to better adoption and improved project outcomes.
How do I evaluate if our team really needs ALM software?
If you’re considering ALM software, ask whether your team struggles with siloed processes, unclear traceability, or manual handoffs between development, QA, and operations. If you see delays because requirements weren’t tracked or defects slip through, then adopting ALM could help. It’s less about “needing” it and more about whether the tool will help your team manage complexity and growth.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching ALM software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
