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IBM Rational ClearQuest vs Visual SourceSafe comparison

IBM and Microsoft are both solutions in the Software Configuration Management category. IBM is ranked #8, while Microsoft is ranked #14. IBM holds a 5.1% mindshare in SCM, compared to Microsoft’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 80% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.
IBM Rational ClearQuest
Read 4 IBM Rational ClearQuest reviews
  • 246 Views
  • 144 Comparison Views
80% willing to recommend
Visual SourceSafe
Read 1 Visual SourceSafe review
  • 81 Views
  • 10 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between IBM Rational ClearQuest and Visual SourceSafe based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Broadcom, BMC, IBM and others in Software Configuration Management.

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To learn more, read our detailed Software Configuration Management Report (Updated: May 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Software Configuration Management
May 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

IBM Rational ClearQuest
Ranking in Software Configuration Management
8th
Average Rating
7.2
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
Defect Tracking (2nd)
Visual SourceSafe
Ranking in Software Configuration Management
14th
Average Rating
7.0
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Software Configuration Management category, the mindshare of IBM Rational ClearQuest is 5.1%, up from 4.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Visual SourceSafe is 0.2%, down from 0.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Software Configuration Management
 

Featured Reviews

it_user808977 - PeerSpot reviewer
It can be adapted to any process flow
ClearQuest is a Defect Tracking system with a highly adaptable state machine together with an easy to use API, which can do all of the functions available in the GUI. This simplifies integration and automation of many steps is why the organization still uses a much older version, as there are no…
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it_user134535 - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides for the setup of software development teams in a sandbox environment. I would like to see external backup for project source code files to the cloud.
We migrated most of the projects to Team Foundation Server (TFS). Visual SourceSafe could borrow some new features from TFS such as: * Improved protection of source code against file corruption due to software crashes, power outages, and computer viruses * External backup for project source code files to the cloud * Support for Git
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
29%
Government
12%
Computer Software Company
10%
Energy/Utilities Company
6%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
No data available
 

Comparisons

Jira vs IBM Rational ClearQuest Logo
Jira vs IBM Rational ClearQuest
Compared 68% of the time
IBM Rational ClearCase vs IBM Rational ClearQuest Logo
IBM Rational ClearCase vs IBM Rational ClearQuest
Compared 32% of the time
More IBM Rational ClearQuest Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IBM Rational ClearQuest vs. Panaya Test Dynamix
June 2025
IBM Rational ClearQuest reportDownload IBM Rational ClearQuest product report
Buyer's Guide
Software Configuration Management
May 2025
Visual SourceSafe reportDownload Visual SourceSafe product report
 

Also Known As

Rational ClearQuest
No data available
 

Overview

IBM Rational ClearQuest is a fully customizable database workflow application development and production system. It provides flexible change and defect tracking, customizable processes, near real-time reporting and lifecycle traceability for better visibility and control of the software development lifecycle. IBM Rational ClearQuest provides scalable, multiplatform support to any size organization so you can continue to customize processes as your development needs evolve.

IBM
Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, a file-level version control system that delivers restore point and team coordination capabilities.
Microsoft
 

Sample Customers

Atos SE, STM, Regence BlueCross BlueShield
XP Investimentos, Weichert Lead Network, Arelik, ACS
Buyer's Guide
Software Configuration Management
May 2025
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Find out what your peers are saying about Broadcom, BMC, IBM and others in Software Configuration Management. Updated: May 2025.
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We monitor all Software Configuration Management reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.