Softabase
Linear logo

Best Linear Alternatives 2026

20 alternatives reviewed and compared

Looking for alternatives to:

Linear

Modern issue tracking tool built for high-performance software teams with fast, keyboard-driven interface.

Why look for Linear alternatives?

Linear works well for a lot of teams. Still, there are a few common reasons people start shopping around:

  • Pricingyou want a more affordable option or a different pricing model
  • Feature gapsyou need something Linear doesn't do well
  • Ease of useyou want a tool that's simpler to set up and run day to day
  • Scaleyou've outgrown it, or it's too heavy for your team size
  • Integrationsyou need it to fit the rest of your stack better

Top alternatives compared

SoftwareRatingStarting priceBest forActions
ClickUp logo

ClickUp

All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, docs, goals, and time tracking.

8.3
FreeCompanies that need engineering plus the rest
Asana logo

Asana

Enterprise work management platform for teams to organize, track, and manage projects and workflows.

8.5
FreeCross-functional product orgs
Notion logo

Notion

All-in-one workspace combining notes, docs, wikis, databases, and project management.

8.7
FreeSmall eng teams keeping issues with specs
Jira logo

Jira

The #1 software development tool used by agile teams to plan, track, and release software.

8.0
FreeSoftware development teams of 10-5,000 people using Scrum or Kanban
Trello logo

Trello

Visual Kanban-style project management with drag-and-drop boards for teams of all sizes.

8.4
FreeSmall teams and individual productivity
Todoist logo

Todoist

Personal and team task management with natural language input and cross-platform availability.

8.6
FreePersonal productivity and GTD practitioners
monday.com logo

monday.com

Work OS that powers teams to run projects and workflows with confidence.

8.8
$9/moMarketing teams managing campaigns, content calendars, and creative assets
Airtable logo

Airtable

Low-code platform combining spreadsheet flexibility with database power for building custom applications.

8.4
FreeTeams building custom business applications
Microsoft Project logo

Microsoft Project

Industry-standard project management software with advanced Gantt charts, resource planning, and portfolio management.

7.8
$10/moEnterprise construction and engineering projects
Smartsheet logo

Smartsheet

Spreadsheet-based work management platform combining familiar interface with project management power.

8.1
FreeTeams already comfortable with spreadsheets

Detailed reviews

#1
ClickUp logo

ClickUp

8.3(2,800 reviews)

All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, docs, goals, and time tracking.

Best for:

Teams wanting one tool for everythingBudget-conscious teams needing robust featuresOrganizations ready to invest in proper setup

Why pick ClickUp over Linear?

ClickUp covers engineering plus marketing, ops and finance in the same workspace, where Linear deliberately stays inside the software-team lane.

#2
Asana logo

Asana

8.5(3,200 reviews)

Enterprise work management platform for teams to organize, track, and manage projects and workflows.

Best for:

Marketing and creative teamsProduct development teamsCross-functional project coordination

Why pick Asana over Linear?

Asana works for engineers but also for the product, design and go-to-market teams around them, removing the Linear-plus-something-else split most companies end up with.

#3
Notion logo

Notion

8.7(3,800 reviews)

All-in-one workspace combining notes, docs, wikis, databases, and project management.

Best for:

Startups wanting one tool for docs and tasksTeams building custom knowledge basesIndividuals wanting personal productivity system

Why pick Notion over Linear?

Notion pairs lightweight issue tracking with the specs, RFCs and roadmaps that surround them, so a small engineering team can postpone the move to a dedicated tracker like Linear.

#4
Jira logo

Jira

8.0(2,100 reviews)

The #1 software development tool used by agile teams to plan, track, and release software.

Best for:

Software development teams of 10-5,000 people using Scrum or KanbanDevOps teams needing CI/CD pipeline visibility linked to project trackingEnterprise engineering organizations requiring deep workflow customization

Why pick Jira over Linear?

Jira has a genuinely usable free tier and is strong at Software development teams of 10-5,000 people using Scrum or Kanban.

#5
Trello logo

Trello

8.4(4,500 reviews)

Visual Kanban-style project management with drag-and-drop boards for teams of all sizes.

Best for:

Small teams and individual productivityEditorial and content calendarsSimple agile/sprint boards

Why pick Trello over Linear?

Trello has a genuinely usable free tier and is strong at Small teams and individual productivity.

Still deciding?

Put your shortlist side by side and see how the numbers and features really stack up.