Testably vs Xray
Standalone Test Management vs Jira-Locked Plugin
Xray turns Jira issues into test cases — meaning you cannot manage tests without Jira, and your bill scales with the entire engineering org. Testably is a standalone platform with optional two-way Jira sync, flat-rate pricing, and AI on all paid plans (as of 2026-05).
Feature Comparison
How Testably stacks up against Xray
| Feature | Testably | Xray |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier (forever) | ||
| Works without Jira | ||
| Standalone platform | ||
| Bills per QA user only | Tied to Jira user tier | |
| Flat-rate pricing | ||
| Setup time | < 5 minutes | Jira + plugin setup |
| AI test case generation | All paid plans | Standard (basic) / Advanced (scripts) |
| BDD / Gherkin support | Roadmap | |
| Shared Steps with version pinning | Step Library (no pinning) | |
| Run-level step snapshots | ||
| Jira integration | Native, optional | Required |
| CI/CD integration (Jenkins, GitHub) | Professional+ | Enterprise edition only |
| Cross-project reporting | ||
| Reports without paid add-on | Xporter add-on often needed |
Key Differences
What sets Testably apart from Xray
Test Cases as Jira Issues vs Dedicated Records
Xray stores every test case as a Jira issue. If you stop paying for Jira, you lose access to your tests. Testably keeps test cases in a dedicated data model — Jira is an optional integration, not the foundation. Your QA history travels with you.
CI/CD Locked Behind Xray Enterprise
Xray on Atlassian Marketplace gates Jenkins and GitHub connectors to its separate Xray Enterprise app. Testably ships CI/CD integration on the Professional plan ($99/mo flat) — no extra license, no separate app, no Atlassian Marketplace dependency.
AI Built In, Not Tiered by Edition
Xray Standard gives basic AI Test Case Generation; AI Test Script Generation requires Advanced; Visual Test Model Generation requires Enterprise. Testably ships AI test case generation on every paid plan starting at $19/mo — generate from text, Jira issues, or exploratory sessions.
Reports Without Paid Plugins
Xray users frequently report needing Xporter or other paid Atlassian plugins to export the reports they need. Testably includes CSV / Excel / API exports on all paid plans — no marketplace shopping to file a release report.
Pricing Comparison
Testably's flat-rate plans vs Xray's pricing
| Plan | Testably | Xray |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo 1 project · 2 members · 100 TCs | No free tier Trial only |
| Hobby | $19/mo 3 projects · 5 members · RTM unlimited | N/A No equivalent plan |
| Small Jira team (≤10 users) | $49/mo Starter · Up to 5 members | ~$100/yr Standard Standard edition, 10 Jira users |
| Mid Jira team (50 users, 10 testers) | $99/mo Professional · Up to 20 members | Tier scales w/ Jira Billed on all 50 Jira users |
| CI/CD integration | Included Professional plan | Enterprise app Separate Xray Enterprise license |
| Advanced AI features | Included AI on all paid plans | Advanced / Enterprise Higher edition required |
| Enterprise (100+ Jira users) | $249–$499/mo Enterprise S / M (flat) | Custom Marketplace + Enterprise app |
Ready to switch from Xray?
Free forever · Standalone platform · 14-day Starter trial available
Try Testably Free — No Jira RequiredFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use Testably if my team lives in Jira?
Yes. Testably integrates natively with Jira Cloud — link test cases to Jira issues, auto-create bugs from test failures, and sync statuses two-way. Available on all plans including Free. You keep the Jira workflow without locking your tests inside Jira.
Can I import test cases from Xray?
Yes. Export your Xray test cases as CSV (or via the Xray API) and import them directly into Testably. Step-by-step migration typically completes in under 30 minutes for most projects.
Does Testably support BDD / Gherkin tests?
Testably supports structured step-by-step test cases and exploratory sessions today. Gherkin-style BDD test cases are on the roadmap. If your team relies exclusively on BDD as the source of truth, run a pilot first.
Why is Xray more expensive at scale?
Xray bills on the underlying Jira Cloud user tier — your whole engineering org. If you have 100 Jira users but only 10 testers, you still pay for the 100-user tier. Testably charges per QA user only, with flat-rate plans ($19 / $49 / $99 / Enterprise) regardless of Jira headcount.
Do I need extra plugins (like Xporter) with Testably?
No. CSV, Excel, and API exports are built in on every paid plan. You do not need to shop the Atlassian Marketplace for basic reports.
How does CI/CD compare?
Testably ships CI/CD integration (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins) on the Professional plan at $99/mo flat. Xray gates Jenkins and GitHub connectors behind its separate Xray Enterprise app, increasing total cost.
Start free today
No credit card required. Free plan includes 1 project, 2 members, and 100 test cases — plus a 14-day Starter trial.