6 Best Linear Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 20 min read
Linear is a popular tool for software development teams. While it offers a free tier (Up to 250 issues), its paid plans start at $8/user/mo. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 6 best Linear alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 6
- Free alternatives: 6 (Jira, Asana, ClickUp)
- Open-source options: Plane
- Best overall: Jira
- Best free: Jira
Why Look for Linear Alternatives?
People commonly look for Linear alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Linear has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $8/user/mo can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Limited non-dev features and smaller ecosystem are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Linear overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear | ✓ Up to 250 issues | $8/user/mo | ⭐ 4.6 | No | Software development teams |
| Jira | ✓ Up to 10 users | $8.15/user/mo | ⭐ 4 | No | Large software development teams |
| Asana | ✓ Up to 10 users | $10.99/user/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Mid-size teams managing complex projects |
| ClickUp | ✓ Unlimited tasks and members | $7/user/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Teams wanting an all-in-one solution on a budget |
| Shortcut | ✓ Up to 10 users | $8.50/user/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Small to mid-size software teams |
| Height | ✓ Limited features | $8.50/user/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Teams wanting AI-powered project management |
| Plane | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | $4/user/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | ✓ Yes | Teams wanting open-source Jira alternative |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
Jira
Industry-standard issue and project tracking for software teams.
Jira by Atlassian is the most widely used project tracking tool for software development. With powerful features for agile development including Scrum and Kanban boards, sprint planning, and advanced reporting, Jira is the default choice for many engineering teams. While powerful, its complexity is often cited as a drawback.
Pros
- ✓ Industry standard
- ✓ Powerful for dev teams
- ✓ Deep customization
- ✓ Extensive marketplace
Cons
- ✗ Complex and overwhelming
- ✗ Slow performance
- ✗ Expensive at scale
- ✗ Steep learning curve
Asana
Work management platform for teams to organize, track, and manage work.
Asana is a leading work management platform that helps teams orchestrate their work, from daily tasks to strategic initiatives. Founded in 2008 by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, Asana has grown to serve over 100,000 organizations worldwide. The platform offers multiple project views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars, making it versatile for different work styles and project types.
Pros
- ✓ Intuitive interface
- ✓ Powerful automation
- ✓ Great for cross-team projects
- ✓ Excellent mobile app
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for large teams
- ✗ Can be overwhelming for simple projects
- ✗ Limited free tier
- ✗ No built-in time tracking
ClickUp
All-in-one productivity platform that replaces multiple work apps.
ClickUp positions itself as the 'one app to replace them all' — combining project management, docs, goals, chat, and whiteboards in a single platform. Known for its feature density and competitive pricing, ClickUp has rapidly grown to compete with established players. It offers an impressive free tier and is popular among startups and growing teams.
Pros
- ✓ Feature-rich free plan
- ✓ All-in-one platform
- ✓ Highly customizable
- ✓ Affordable paid plans
Cons
- ✗ Can feel cluttered
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ Performance issues reported
- ✗ Frequent UI changes
Shortcut
Project management platform built for software development teams.
Shortcut (formerly Clubhouse) is a project management tool designed specifically for software teams. It offers a balance between simplicity and power, with features like stories, epics, iterations, and milestones organized in an intuitive interface.
Pros
- ✓ Developer-friendly
- ✓ Clean interface
- ✓ Good free tier
- ✓ Fast
Cons
- ✗ Limited views
- ✗ Less known
- ✗ Basic reporting
- ✗ Limited integrations
Height
Autonomous project management tool powered by AI.
Height is a next-generation project management tool that uses AI to automate routine work. It features smart task management, automatic status updates, and AI-powered prioritization. Height is gaining traction among modern teams looking for a more intelligent approach to project management.
Pros
- ✓ AI-powered features
- ✓ Modern interface
- ✓ Fast and responsive
- ✓ Good free tier
Cons
- ✗ Newer product
- ✗ Smaller community
- ✗ Limited integrations
- ✗ Still evolving
Plane
Open-source project planning tool as an alternative to Jira.
Plane is an open-source project management tool that aims to be a simpler, more accessible alternative to Jira. It supports issues, cycles, modules, and pages, with a clean modern interface. Being open-source, teams can self-host it for complete data control.
Pros
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ Modern UI
- ✓ Active development
- ✓ Free to self-host
Cons
- ✗ Young product
- ✗ Fewer integrations
- ✗ Limited documentation
- ✗ Smaller community
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Linear?
The best free alternative to Linear is Jira, which offers Up to 10 users.
Is there an open-source alternative to Linear?
Yes! Plane is open-source alternative to Linear that you can self-host for free.
What is the cheapest alternative to Linear?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Jira, Asana, ClickUp. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $4/mo.
💰 Stop Overpaying for SaaS
Join smart professionals who receive our weekly roundup of the best SaaS deals, free alternatives, and money-saving tips.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam.