The Atlassian marketplace is an online hub offering a vast collection of apps (previously known as add-ons) for Atlassian's popular software products, including Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello. These apps are created by third-party vendors and are specifically designed to expand and improve the functionality of Atlassian's products.

Within the Atlassian Marketplace, you can explore a wide range of apps that can be used for different requirements, from task automation to productivity improvement, collaboration enhancement, complex reporting, and product customization to align with your business needs.

In the Atlassian Marketplace, users can browse and search for suitable apps, read reviews and ratings from other users, explore documentation, and even try out free trials before making a purchase. While some apps are free, others may have various pricing models. After selecting the desired app, the installation process is typically straightforward and user-friendly, involving only a few steps and requiring Administrator permissions. The entire process can be completed in just a few minutes, allowing for immediate use of the app.

The Atlassian Marketplace contains an impressive collection of over 5000 apps from 1250 partners, including over 2500 apps designed specifically for cloud users. However, with such an extensive range of options, it can be challenging to identify the perfect app that fits your requirements.

The differences between Server, Data Center, and cloud apps

Understanding the differences between the Data Center and cloud platforms is essential. Not all Data Center applications exist or are compatible with the cloud platform, and vice versa. This difference is especially important for users considering migrating from the Server or Data Center platform to the cloud platform. If the app is not supported or is incompatible with the cloud platform, you may need to search for alternative apps or find other solutions. 

Another notable difference between the Data Center and cloud platforms is the more precise privacy and security parameters inherent to cloud apps. Since cloud platforms may store data on external sites, users must be aware of the privacy and security standards offered by the vendor to ensure the protection of their data.

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Search apps, filters, and sort options

The Atlassian Marketplace is the home for Atlassian marketplace apps.

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If you have a specific app name in mind, you can search for it directly from the search option within the Atlassian Marketplace. However, if you are unsure which app is best suited for your needs, there are various strategies you can use to find the most suitable app.

The first step is to choose the desired Atlassian product you are looking for. Then select the hosting type: Cloud or Data Center. Note that the Server platform is limited, new installations are unavailable, and maintenance will expire for all server products in February 2024.

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Once you have selected the product and hosting type, you can choose a category from the sidebar to further refine your search. With over 40 dynamic categories available, including integrations, utilities, monitoring, and security, these categories can significantly narrow down your search results.

By selecting a specific category, you can focus your search on the relevant list of apps, making it easier to find the app that best fits your needs.

Next, you can filter by a few parameters.

• Cloud Fortified apps - Offer additional security, reliability, and support as part of the Marketplace trust programs
• Partner Support - Choose this option to filter by apps with formal support, enabling submissions of support requests for the vendor.
• Free for all teams - This option filters by all free apps.
• Beta version - Filter by apps in the beta version.
• Free up to 10 users - Filter by apps that are free for up to 10 users.

After selecting the relevant parameters and filters, choose the sorting method.
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• By top rating - Apps that have the best customer rating.
• By top trading - Apps with the most active installations in the past week.
• Top selling - Shows the top paid via Atlassian apps, sorted based on total dollar sales in the last 30 days.
• Newest - Shows the most recently published apps.

Another way to search for a new app is directly from the local instance. Click on Apps in the main menu. If you have admin permissions, you will see the “Manage your apps” option, and you can also explore more apps and get all the search options, just as you can from the Atlassian Marketplace website.

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An advantage is that you get app recommendations according to your existing app installs.

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Parameters to consider when choosing an app

Once you have completed your search for new apps and received a list of results, it is essential to carefully evaluate each app's parameters. The parameters of each app can significantly impact the decision of which app to choose. Therefore, it is crucial to review each app's features, pricing, user reviews, and other relevant details in order to make an informed decision.

Reviews

One of the most important parameters is the rating and reviews by customers.

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When reviewing your search results, you can quickly see the average customer rating (1-4 stars) and the number of reviews for each app. Once you have clicked on an app to view its page, you can access all the reviews, which can be sorted by the newest or most helpful reviews first.

Reading through the reviews can provide valuable insights into how other customers have used the app, common issues that have arisen, and other critical feedback. Additionally, the number of reviews an app has received can be a useful indicator of how active its customer base is.

Installs

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The number of installs is a key parameter when evaluating an app from the Atlassian Marketplace. This parameter indicates the number of app installations by customers, and it can provide valuable insights into the popularity and reliability of the app. An app with many installs indicates that many customers have been interested in and installed it. This can indicate that the app is well-established, reliable, and effective. On the other hand, an app with a low number of installs may indicate that it is relatively new or less widely used. 

When evaluating the number of installs, it's important to consider the context of the app and your specific needs. For example, an app with a lower number of installs may still be a good fit for your needs if it provides the specific functionality you're looking for.

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Additional parameters

When you click on an app to access its details page, you can access additional information about the app. This information includes features, pricing, system requirements, support options, and more.

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Overview

The Overview section of an app's details page provides information about the app from the vendor. This section typically includes photos, videos, and documentation. It is mandatory for every app to provide documentation that explains the app's features, how to install and configure it, and other important details. This documentation is essential for helping users understand how the app works and ensuring that it is suitable for their needs.

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Reviews

As previously mentioned, you can read reviews written by other users and view the app's average customer rating on its details page. Reading through reviews and ratings can help you understand an app’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as gain insight into other users’ experiences. This information can be helpful in determining whether an app is a good fit for your needs.

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Pricing

If the app is not free, pricing information will be provided. For Data Center, pricing is determined based on the number of users and is billed annually.

For instance:

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Cloud pricing offers greater user flexibility, allowing you to select a pricing plan based on the exact number of users required. Additionally, you can choose between monthly or yearly billing options.

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Privacy and Security

The new privacy & security tab is available for cloud users as an information hub for managing data storage, ensuring security compliance, safeguarding privacy, and obtaining relevant certifications. This information can be critical if you have security concerns.

Support

When evaluating an app, it's important to consider not just the app itself, but also the level of support that's available to you. This is where the support tab comes in—it can provide valuable information about the vendor's support services, and the different ways in which you can get in touch with them.

In the support tab, you can typically find details about the vendor's support offerings, such as their hours of availability, response time, and the types of support they provide. Some vendors may offer email support, while others may provide phone or chat support. It's important to evaluate the support options available to you and choose a vendor that offers the level of support you need.

Another important aspect of the support tab is the ability to submit a support request. This can be a valuable resource if you encounter any issues or have questions about the app. By submitting a support request, you can get in touch with the vendor's support team directly and receive assistance with any issues or questions you may have.

Additionally, some vendors may provide self-help resources in the support tab, such as user guides, FAQs, and knowledge base articles. These resources can be a helpful reference when you're looking for answers to common questions or issues.

Overall, the support tab is a crucial resource to evaluate when selecting an app. It provides valuable information about the vendor's support services and the different ways in which you can get in touch with them. By carefully assessing the support options available to you, you can choose an app and vendor that provides the level of support you need to use the app with confidence and resolve any issues that may arise.

Versions

The Versions tab contains information about the most recent release, including its summary, details, and release date. For the Server and Data Center, you can view the complete history of all versions along with related information. It is important to note the frequency of version updates when assessing an application. Regular updates indicate active development, meaning new features and bug fixes are being implemented. On the other hand, a lack of recent updates may indicate that the application is not receiving much attention from developers.

Summary

When selecting a new app from the Atlassian marketplace, many parameters should be considered. With such a vast array of apps available (5000+), it can take time to figure out where to start. However, by following a few key steps, you can ensure that you find an app that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals.

The first step is to start by searching for apps based on categories. The Atlassian marketplace organizes apps into categories such as collaboration, reporting, and project management, making it easier to find apps that are relevant to your needs. Once you have identified a few categories that interest you, it's time to use filters to narrow your search. Filters can help you find apps that meet specific criteria, such as support options, pricing, and features.

After collecting a list of potential apps, taking a closer look at specific app parameters is important to determine which app best suits your needs. There are several key parameters to consider, including the app's rating, number of installs, available support options, and more.

The app rating is a crucial parameter to consider as it indicates the app's quality based on user reviews. Ideally, you should look for apps with a high rating, as this suggests that the app is reliable and provides a positive user experience.

The number of installs is also an important parameter to consider. Apps with many installs are typically more established and have been used successfully by many other users. 

Support options are another key parameter to consider when selecting an app from the Atlassian marketplace. You want to look for apps that provide robust support options such as documentation, user forums, and customer service. 

Other parameters to consider include the app's features, pricing, and compatibility with your Atlassian product. By carefully evaluating these parameters, you can ensure that you select an app that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals effectively.