Linear

Overview

Linear is an issue tracking and project planning tool built for software product teams. Work is organized into issues that roll up into projects, cycles (time-boxed sprints) and longer-term initiatives, with board, list and timeline views. It is known for a fast, keyboard-driven interface, a GraphQL API and native integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Slack and Figma. Linear does not include built-in time tracking or staffing-style resource planning; progress is followed through Insights and Dashboards on the higher plans.

Best for software and product teams that want fast, structured issue tracking and planning.

Linear is opinionated in a way most tools in this category are not: it assumes work arrives as issues from people building software, and nearly everything it does well follows from that one assumption. Teams whose work fits that shape move noticeably faster, and teams whose work does not spend their days pushing against it, so the question to settle first is whether you are running product development or client engagements with hours and budgets attached. The gaps around billing and staffing follow directly from that focus, and covering them means running a second tool alongside, which hands back some of the appeal of one fast system. Trying it costs nothing on a small team, and a cycle or two is usually enough to know.

Key Facts

Features

Task planning

Yes, issues grouped into projects, cycles and initiatives, with board, list and timeline views and roadmaps

Resource planning

Not built in; Linear centers on issue tracking and product planning

Time tracking

Not built in; available through third-party integrations

Reporting and controlling

Insights and Dashboards on the Business plan and up, with project progress and analytics

Integrations and API

Yes, GraphQL API and webhooks, with integrations for GitHub, GitLab, Slack and Figma

Integrations

• GitHub
• GitLab
• Slack
• Figma
• Sentry

Deployment and Support

Deployment

• Cloud (SaaS)
• Browser-based

Support

• Email helpdesk
• Community forum

Onboarding

• Documentation and knowledge base

Company size

• Freelancers
• Small and mid-sized
• Enterprise

Suitability

The table combines the industries the vendor addresses with the company sizes the tool is aimed at. An empty cell means the combination is not stated, not that it is ruled out.

Pros and Cons

Pricing

• Free

  $0

  Up to 250 issues, 2 teams and 10 MB file uploads.

• Basic

  $10

  Per user and month, billed yearly. Unlimited issues and up to 5 teams.

• Business

  $16

  Per user and month, billed yearly. Unlimited teams, private teams and more integrations.

• Enterprise

  Not stated

  Custom pricing, annual billing only. Adds SAML/SCIM, priority support and account management.

Best For

• Technology
• Agencies

Alternatives and Comparisons

What users say

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