stackswitch

Linear

Issue tracking built for modern software teams

Free
Starting price
4.7/5
G2 rating
4
Pricing plans
2019
Founded

Quick verdict

Linear is built for solo founders and small teams who need solid project management capabilities. Users consistently rate it highly against competitors like Asana. You can start for free, which makes it low-risk to test.

Linear is a fast, opinionated project management tool built specifically for software development teams. Known for its keyboard-first UX, speed, and tight GitHub integration.

What we like

  • Blazing fast
  • Beautiful UI
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Excellent GitHub integration

Watch out for

  • Less flexible than ClickUp/Notion
  • No built-in docs
  • Free plan limited to 250 issues

Key features

Issue trackingCycles (sprints)ProjectsRoadmapsGitHub/GitLab syncTriageAPI

Who should use Linear?

If you are a Solo / freelancer...

The free plan covers the basics. You will probably not need to upgrade until you hit the limits of the Free plan.

If you are a 5-person startup...

Start on the free plan and upgrade when collaboration features become essential. Budget around $40/mo for a team of five on the paid plan.

If you are a 50+ person company...

You will likely need the Plus plan or above. At this scale, check the triage and api capabilities — they matter more as teams grow.

Pricing: the honest take

The free plan is genuinely useful for issue tracking and cycles (sprints) — not just a teaser. You can run real work on it. When you outgrow it, the jump to Standard at $8/mo is reasonable.

See full Linear pricing breakdown →

Top Linear alternatives

Asana Work management platform for teams
Jira Issue and project tracking for software teams
ClickUp One app to replace them all
See all Linear alternatives →

Our verdict

Linear is a top-rated project management tool with 4 pricing plans. The free plan makes it easy to get started with no upfront cost. If the watch-outs above are dealbreakers, see the alternatives below.

Linear: frequently asked questions

Is Linear free?

Yes — Linear offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $8/mo.

How much does Linear cost?

Linear has 4 plans. There is a free tier. Paid plans start at $8/mo. See full pricing →

What are the best alternatives to Linear?

Top alternatives include Asana, Jira, ClickUp. See full comparison →