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ATM vs. Zephyr

Appsvio Test Management (ATM) and Zephyr both provide test management capabilities, but they take different approaches. Explore how they handle test cases, test plans, and traceability to determine which solution best fits your team’s needs.

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Overview

Differences in the Testing Tools

Appsvio

  • Full native test management solution for Jira that works directly within your existing agile workflows and interface.

  • Modern and future-proof architecture built on the Forge platform to ensure long-term cloud reliability and speed.

  • Advanced JQL search capabilities that let you filter test cases, plans, and executions like standard Jira issues.

  • Atlassian-managed data residency that keeps all sensitive information secure within the native Jira infrastructure.

  • Actionable test coverage reports and a requirements traceability matrix to ensure high-quality and confident releases.

  • Native Atlassian Rovo integration to leverage AI agents for faster, more efficient test case design and documentation.

  • Unified cross-project testing designed to manage and execute large test suites spanning multiple Jira projects.

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Zephyr

  • Semi-integrated testing tool that relies on external infrastructure and APIs rather than a native foundation.

  • Established but legacy architecture built on older technology that is becoming increasingly outdated for Cloud.

  • Fragmented project organization that often leads to a bloated backlog and siloed testing information.

  • Cluttered and complex user interface requiring significant time for training and administrative setup.

Looking for Zephyr alternative?

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Appsvio Is a Good Zephyr Alternative

ATM
Zephyr

Platform overview

Native Forge App

Data Storage

Atlassian infrastructure
Custom server

Atlassian Data Residency

AI Provider

Atlassian Rovo

Security

SOC2 Type 2

Run on Atlassian

Cloud Fortified

Requirements

Requirement Management Module

Risk Assessment

On roadmap

Test Case

Calling Test Case from another

Test Steps Versioning

Test Case Precondition

BDD tests (Gherkin/Cucumber)

Coming soon

Import from CSV

Test Execution

Execute Test Cases

Regulated company features

Coming soon

Separation of duties module

Coming soon

Test Case Execution iterations

Time Tracking

On roadmap

Test Environments

Test Automation

CI/CD Tools Integration

Coming soon

REST API

Coming soon

AI features

Generate Test Cases from Requirement

Import Test case from any file

Coming soon

Reports

Traceability Matrix

Requirements Coverage Trace

Execution Burndown Chart

Coming soon

Pricing Comparison

Compare ATM and Zephyr costs

Monthly Annual Save 2 months
Number of Users:
Appsvio Test Management
Appsvio Test Management (ATM) is a Jira-native test management app that enables teams to design, organize, execute, and report on manual and automated tests. It ensures end-to-end traceability across requirements, test cases, executions, and defects in one workspace.
Monthly total
$—
Xray Test Management tool
Zephyr is a Jira add-on for managing test cases and test cycles. It lets teams run manual and automated tests, link them to requirements and bugs, and track progress. Configuration and reporting may require additional setup in larger projects.
Monthly total
$—
Your Savings with ATM
Save — compared to Zephyr
Monthly Savings
$—

Testimonials

Why Choose Appsvio Test Management?

Simple, flexible alternative to complex test tools.

Great to see a new entrant in the market with a fast moving roadmap that is heading in the right direction. Well documented, and a flexible structure that allows you to be as orthodox or left field as you like with your testing set up. We have been using Appsvio Test Management for a couple of months now and don't know what we would do without it!

Peter Hastings

Peter Hastings

Business and Technical Consultant

Nice lean test app, with the great USP of built-in data residency where ever you want to pin your data.

Eric Reichau

Eric Reichau

Atlassian Expert, CrossALM

ATM has real potential to simplify test management in Jira. It's intuitive, cleanly integrated, and built on Forge, so you get benefits like data residency and Runs on Atlassian badge out of the box. Right now, it's focused on manual testing, and while some key features like reporting and a REST API aren't there yet, the team is actively building. It's a strong start, and I'm excited to see where it goes. Well done, Appsvio.

Caroline Adams

Caroline Adams

CEO, Digital Wayfarer

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Frequently Asked Questions

While many teams start with Zephyr for Jira because of its history, they often encounter significant performance and cost issues. Users frequently report long loading times, sometimes taking up to 20 minutes for large test suites. This slowness can hurt productivity, especially during intense software test management phases.

Another major challenge is the overall cost compared to the value received. Many users find SmartBear Zephyr test management tool to be expensive investments for a tool that suffers from a clunky interface and a steep learning curve. Unlike more modern Jira test management solutions, Zephyr’s problematic editing experience for test steps often leads testers to write details in ticket descriptions just to avoid the tool's interface. For teams needing to scale, these usability hurdles and slow customer support response times mean you are paying a premium for a tool that may actually slow down your release cycle.
Direct migration for test case management tools is a top priority for our development team. Currently, ATM supports a seamless import from Xray. However, if you are looking to move away from Zephyr test management software, we offer a reliable workaround. You can export your data from Zephyr and convert it into a format compatible with our import wizard.

We are also preparing to launch a Rovo Agent that will assist with smaller migrations. If your team is planning a large-scale move, we encourage you to book a private session with us. We can help you outline a custom migration plan to ensure your test management history remains intact while you transition to a more modern environment.
Data residency and security are critical when choosing test management solutions. Zephyr stores data in external databases outside of the Atlassian infrastructure. This results in data egress, which may not meet the strict compliance needs of all organizations. While they support specific regions like the US and EU, they do not cover all 12 Atlassian regions.

In contrast, Appsvio Test Management is built entirely on Atlassian Forge. This means your data never leaves the Atlassian ecosystem. ATM complies with all 12 Atlassian data residency regions and carries the "Runs on Atlassian" badge. For teams focused on secure experience of test case management in Jira, ATM provides a more robust architecture that aligns perfectly with Atlassian’s latest security standards.
Zephyr is often considered a legacy tool because it relies on older Connect technology. This makes it feel like an "imposter" in a modern cloud environment. While it claims to offer deep integration, the user interface is clunky and does not follow the native Atlassian Design System. This creates a fragmented experience for testing Jira workflows.

Modern software test management requires tools that are built for the cloud from the ground up. Zephyr’s focus on adding features without refining the core user experience has led to a "bolted-on" feel. As Atlassian moves toward more native, Forge-based apps, Zephyr struggles to keep up with the speed and UI standards of the 21st century, making it harder for teams to maintain a transparent and agile SDLC.
Appsvio Test Management offers a truly native experience where tests, requirements, and executions are handled directly as Jira issues. This eliminates the steep learning curve found in Zephyr test management tool. ATM includes a built-in Rovo Test Case Architect, allowing you to use native AI to design test cases more efficiently.

When it comes to software test reporting, ATM provides clear requirement traceability and coverage reports that focus on release readiness rather than just raw statistics. It is a more cost-effective and flexible choice for teams that want a tool that feels like Jira, not an add-on. By choosing ATM, you get a modern solution that is ready for the future of the Atlassian ecosystem, with faster support and a cleaner, more intuitive interface.

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