Linear
Issue tracking and project planning tool built for software teams, with a keyboard-driven interface.
Overview
Linear is an issue tracking and project planning tool designed for software product teams. It covers issues, cycles (sprints), projects, roadmaps and initiatives, and is known for a fast, keyboard-driven interface with an opinionated workflow rather than deep configurability. It is most popular with startups and product-led engineering teams and is often chosen as a lighter alternative to Jira.
Standout features include tight GitHub and GitLab integration that moves issues automatically as pull requests progress, a triage queue for incoming requests, Slack integration and a well-documented GraphQL API. Linear deliberately limits customization: there are no arbitrary custom fields, and workflows follow a fixed model of teams, projects and cycles. Non-engineering teams may find it too narrow, and reporting is basic outside the Insights feature on the Business tier.
The Free plan allows unlimited members but caps the workspace at approximately 250 issues and 2 teams. Basic costs approximately $10 per user per month billed monthly (about $8 annually) and removes the issue cap, while Business at approximately $16 monthly (about $14 annually) adds unlimited teams, guests, Insights and Asks. SAML SSO, SCIM provisioning and audit logs are Enterprise features.
Key features
Collaboration
- Guest & client access
Automation
- Workflow automation
- API access
- Webhooks
Data
- Reporting & dashboards
Platforms
- Mobile app
- Desktop app
Security
- SSO / SAML
Views
- Kanban boards
- Gantt & timeline
Development
- Git integration
Pricing
- Unlimited users on free plan
- Integrations
- Discord, Figma, GitHub, GitLab, Intercom, Slack, Zapier, Zendesk
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, API
Pros & cons
Strengths
- Fast, keyboard-driven interface with very little friction
- Deep GitHub and GitLab integration updates issue status from pull requests
- Opinionated model of teams, cycles and projects keeps workflows consistent
- Free plan allows unlimited members
Limitations
- Limited customization: no arbitrary custom fields or bespoke workflows
- Free plan caps the workspace at roughly 250 issues
- Reporting is basic; Insights requires the Business plan
- Built for software teams, so non-engineering use cases feel forced
Pricing
Freemium. Free plan with unlimited members but an issue cap; Basic approximately $10 and Business approximately $16 per user per month billed monthly (about $8 and $14 annually), with Enterprise on custom pricing.
Free
Free
Free plan for small teams getting started, with an issue cap.
- Unlimited members
- Approximately 250 issues and 2 teams
- GitHub, GitLab and Slack integrations
- API access
Basic
$10/user/mo
Removes the issue cap for small teams; approximately $8 per user when billed annually.
- Unlimited issues
- Up to 5 teams
- 5 GB file uploads
Business
Popular$16/user/mo
For growing product organizations; approximately $14 per user when billed annually.
- Unlimited teams and private teams
- Guest accounts
- Linear Insights analytics
- Linear Asks for Slack intake
Enterprise
Custom
Custom pricing with enterprise security and support.
- SAML SSO and SCIM provisioning
- Audit logs and advanced security
- Priority support
Prices are listed in USD and can change. Confirm current pricing on the vendor’s pricing page.
Best for
A good fit if you are
- Startup and scale-up engineering teams
- Product teams that want a faster, simpler alternative to Jira
- Teams that run cycles or sprints tightly coupled to GitHub or GitLab
Not ideal if you
- Marketing, operations or client-services teams
- Organizations that need heavy customization or formal PMO reporting
Linear alternatives
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Linear
From $10/mo · Free plan