Time for a Jira App Check: Maximize Potential, Minimize Risks
Most likely, your company’s Jira system runs multiple third-party apps and integrations — for enhanced reporting, additional automation, project management, connecting HR or onboarding tools, and more.
The larger an instance is and the more teams work with Jira, the more diverse the requirements typically become — along with the number of apps in use. This creates flexibility and significantly increases Jira’s effectiveness.
So far, so good. But when was the last time your team systematically reviewed the apps in your Jira system? There may be untapped potential to unlock — and serious risks lurking beneath the surface.
A comprehensive app evaluation is worthwhile — from functional, economic, and administrative perspectives. Chances are high you’ll uncover cost-saving opportunities on one hand and identify compliance risks that need to be addressed on the other.
App Alternatives: Better, Faster, Cheaper?
Many apps were installed when they were the only solution for a particular use case. However, the Atlassian Marketplace is constantly evolving: the selection of cloud apps has recently exploded. Numerous new solutions have emerged, and existing ones have improved.
Frequently, older tools can now be replaced by a modern app that offers broader functionality — while being more affordable or performant.
Your best approach is to search the Marketplace for the specific use cases that your existing apps address. This way, you can quickly identify possible alternatives. Additionally, you can sort the search results by “Newest” — helping you discover innovative new releases.
By the way: It can be worthwhile to get on board early. New apps often offer introductory deals where you can secure permanently better conditions as an early adopter — a real bonus for forward-thinking companies.
Two options are particularly helpful here:
- Rising Star label for young, well-rated products
- Filter for Beta products, if you want to evaluate as early as possible
Native Functions: Has Jira Already Incorporated the Feature?
For some of your apps’ use cases, it’s quite possible that Jira now supports them with native functionality. Atlassian has integrated various former app features into the main product in recent years, such as roadmaps and automations.
Atlassian continuously adds new features to Jira Cloud, but these innovations aren’t always prominently announced. You need to follow the detailed cloud releases and announcements regularly to avoid missing anything.
When did you last review the release notes? The Release Notes Blog informs you weekly about new features.
Want to stay automatically updated? In your Atlassian email preferences, there’s a useful option: Subscribe directly to cloud release information via email.
Unused or Barely Used Apps: Silent Cost Drivers
The longer an instance exists, the more likely it is that outdated or unused apps have accumulated. Perhaps the use case was only temporarily relevant, or the team that needed the app no longer exists.
Ask yourself these questions regularly:
- Is the app still actively used?
- By whom exactly (admins, specific user groups)?
- Are there functional overlaps with other apps?
Jira’s audit logs, which now also include app events, along with app-specific metrics (if available), help analyze usage behavior. This provides a solid decision-making basis — often leading to noticeable savings.
Security and Data Protection: Non-Transparent Risk Factors
We mentioned earlier that analyzing your Jira apps can uncover hidden potential — but it may also reveal dangers that require action. The complex issues of security, compliance, and data protection are especially relevant when it comes to Marketplace apps.
Atlassian makes strong security and privacy commitments for its own cloud products. However, apps often form a kind of blind spot.
Ask yourself:
- Which apps transfer data externally?
- What types of data are involved? Are user data potentially affected?
If there’s uncertainty here, you’re opening the door to external threats, data protection issues, and GDPR violations. Your team should scrutinize Jira apps not only for functionality but also for infrastructure and security concerns.
Specifically: Are there apps still based on the outdated Atlassian Connect framework? If so, you should definitely aim to replace them with modern solutions built on the new development standard, Atlassian Forge. This addresses numerous security concerns in one stroke.
Helpful and Transparent: “Cloud Fortified” and “Runs on Atlassian”
Fortunately, Atlassian makes it easier for customers to evaluate the security and compliance posture of Marketplace apps. Two badges provide valuable transparency:
- Cloud Fortified: Apps with this seal meet enhanced security, performance, and support requirements, and have demonstrated this to Atlassian.
- Runs on Atlassian: These apps run entirely within Atlassian’s infrastructure — with no data egress. They also support Data Residency.
These categories are particularly relevant from data protection and compliance standpoints — and they provide greater peace of mind during audits. (For more information, see our article: Cloud Fortified vs. Runs on Atlassian: Understanding the Difference.)
App Governance: Uncover Savings and Strengthen Security
Regularly reviewing your Jira apps is not a one-time task — it’s an essential part of modern system administration. With targeted app governance, your team not only improves data protection and IT security but also reduces complexity, avoids unnecessary license costs, and strengthens the scalability of your Atlassian systems.
However, a comprehensive app assessment in a large Jira system can be a complex undertaking. Our experienced Jira experts are happy to support your team in approaching the app review in a structured and effective way. This enables us to achieve tangible results that benefit your organization. Contact us via email or simply schedule an initial remote meeting with us!