We use provider pages as the source of truth.
Pricing, plan names, free plan availability, and trial details are checked against official provider pages before being used in ProPicked scores. Vendor relationships do not change rankings, scores, or recommendations.
Provider Pricing Facts
Provider pricing facts: Linear offers a free plan; Plane offers a free plan.
Source and Freshness Note
Source and freshness note: pricing, free-plan, and feature signals are compared from public provider data and updated comparison records. Last checked May 2026.
Linear vs Plane: Honest Comparison (2026)
Linear
The issue tracker built for high-performance software teams
Plane
Open-source project management for product teams
We may earn a commission through links on this page · Editorial policy
Quick Verdict:
Linear wins with 9.1/10 vs 8.3/10. Choose Linear for ease of use. Choose Plane for its unique strengths.
Linear wins this comparison with a score of 9.1/10 vs 8.3/10. Both offer free plans. Linear stands out for clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives., while Plane excels at open-source with self-hosting option. This is confirmed by our feature analysis where Linear also scores higher (6.4/10).
| Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Features | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Value for Money | 9.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Customer Support | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Free Plan | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ |
| Starting Price | $8/mo | $7/mo |
| Feature Score | 6.4/10 | 5.7/10 |
| Top Strength | Clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives. | Open-source with self-hosting option |
| Biggest Weakness | Plan limits still need buyer verification:Always confirm usage caps, seat limits, and renewal pricing on the official provider site before purchasing. | Fewer integrations than established competitors |
| Best For | Is Linear free?Provider data indicates a free plan is available. | Product teams wanting an open-source Jira alternative |
| Winner | Linear (9.1/10) | |
What is Linear?
The issue tracker built for high-performance software teamsLinear is a SaaS tool for teams evaluating project management software in 2026. The issue tracker built for high-performance software teams ProPicked's review is based on provider-published pricing, plan limits, feature availability, and customer review signals rather than sponsorship placement. Provider data highlights task Management, kanban Board, sprint Planning, custom Workflows, dependencies as tracked capabilities. The current rating is 9.1/10, with value, feature coverage, ease of use, and support considered separately so buyers can compare it against alternatives in the same category. Use this page to verify what Linear offers, where it is strongest, what trade-offs to check, and which competing tools may fit better before committing.
- +Clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives.
- +Provider-checked pricing context:Provider data indicates a free plan is available. Published entry pricing starts around $8/month.
- +Feature coverage is documented:Provider data highlights task Management, kanban Board, sprint Planning, custom Workflows, dependencies as tracked capabilities.
- •Is Linear free?Provider data indicates a free plan is available.
- •What should I verify before buying?Confirm current pricing, plan limits, cancellation terms, integrations, and support response expectations.
- •How does ProPicked score Linear?Ratings combine provider data, pricing checks, feature coverage, and public review signals across four dimensions.
What is Plane?
Open-source project management for product teamsPlane is an open-source project management tool designed for product and engineering teams. It provides issue tracking, cycles (sprints), modules, custom views, and a product roadmap, offering a clean alternative to Jira and Linear that can be self-hosted for complete data control. Rated 8.3/10 across 758+ reviews. With a free plan available. And paid plans starting at $7/mo.
- +Open-source with self-hosting option
- +Clean interface comparable to Linear
- +Generous free tier for small teams
- •Product teams wanting an open-source Jira alternative
- •Startups preferring self-hosted project management
- •Engineering teams who value clean, focused project tools
Linear vs Plane: Key Differences
Linear vs Plane: Quick Verdict
Decision Summary
Who wins in each scenario? A quick look at how Linear and Plane compare across different buyer needs.
Scores 9.1/10 vs 8.3/10
Scores 9.0/10 on value vs 7.9/10
Ease of use: 9.4/10 vs 8.5/10
Both score 8.7/10 avg on features + support
Free plan available + 9.0/10 value
Both offer free plans
Choose Linear if you need...
- ✓Clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives.
- ✓Provider-checked pricing context:Provider data indicates a free plan is available. Published entry pricing starts around $8/month.
- ✓Feature coverage is documented:Provider data highlights task Management, kanban Board, sprint Planning, custom Workflows, dependencies as tracked capabilities.
- !Plan limits still need buyer verification:Always confirm usage caps, seat limits, and renewal pricing on the official provider site before purchasing.
- !Fit depends on workflow:Teams with complex integrations or strict compliance requirements should compare Linear against at least two alternatives.
Choose Plane if you need...
- ✓Open-source with self-hosting option
- ✓Clean interface comparable to Linear
- ✓Generous free tier for small teams
- ✓Lower starting price ($7/mo vs $8/mo)
- !Fewer integrations than established competitors
- !Some advanced features still in development
Our Take: Linear vs Plane
Linear edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.3/10. The gap is noticeable but not dramatic — both are legitimate options depending on what you prioritize.
Where they differ: Linear's biggest strengths are clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives. and provider-checked pricing context:Provider data indicates a free plan is available. Published entry pricing starts around $8/month.. Plane, on the other hand, shines with open-source with self-hosting option and clean interface comparable to Linear. These reflect fundamentally different product priorities.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each one with zero risk before committing. We recommend trying both for a week with real data.
Linear vs Plane Score Comparison
| Category | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
🏆Overall Score | 9.1▲ | 8.3 |
💫Ease of Use | 9.4▲ | 8.5 |
⚙Features | 8.8▲ | 8.6 |
💰Value for Money | 9.0▲ | 7.9 |
💬Customer Support | 8.5 | ▲8.6 |
Why These Scores? Our Reasoning
- +Clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives.
- +Provider-checked pricing context:Provider data indicates a free plan is available. Published entry pricing starts around $8/month.
- +Feature coverage is documented:Provider data highlights task Management, kanban Board, sprint Planning, custom Workflows, dependencies as tracked capabilities.
- -Plan limits still need buyer verification:Always confirm usage caps, seat limits, and renewal pricing on the official provider site before purchasing.
- -Fit depends on workflow:Teams with complex integrations or strict compliance requirements should compare Linear against at least two alternatives.
- +Open-source with self-hosting option
- +Clean interface comparable to Linear
- +Generous free tier for small teams
- -Fewer integrations than established competitors
- -Some advanced features still in development
Linear vs Plane Pros & Cons
+Strengths
- ✓Clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives.
- ✓Provider-checked pricing context:Provider data indicates a free plan is available. Published entry pricing starts around $8/month.
- ✓Feature coverage is documented:Provider data highlights task Management, kanban Board, sprint Planning, custom Workflows, dependencies as tracked capabilities.
-Weaknesses
- ✗Plan limits still need buyer verification:Always confirm usage caps, seat limits, and renewal pricing on the official provider site before purchasing.
- ✗Fit depends on workflow:Teams with complex integrations or strict compliance requirements should compare Linear against at least two alternatives.
- ✗Review signals can lag product changes:New feature launches and pricing updates may not be reflected in public user feedback immediately.
+Strengths
- ✓Open-source with self-hosting option
- ✓Clean interface comparable to Linear
- ✓Generous free tier for small teams
- ✓Active development with frequent updates
-Weaknesses
- ✗Fewer integrations than established competitors
- ✗Some advanced features still in development
- ✗Self-hosting requires technical expertise
Who Should Use Linear vs Plane?
Linear is ideal for
- •Is Linear free?Provider data indicates a free plan is available.
- •What should I verify before buying?Confirm current pricing, plan limits, cancellation terms, integrations, and support response expectations.
- •How does ProPicked score Linear?Ratings combine provider data, pricing checks, feature coverage, and public review signals across four dimensions.
- •Match the provider's published plan limits against your expected seats, projects, contacts, storage, or usage volume.
- •Check whether the features you need are included in the entry plan or require an upgrade.
Plane is ideal for
- •Product teams wanting an open-source Jira alternative
- •Startups preferring self-hosted project management
- •Engineering teams who value clean, focused project tools
When NOT to Choose Linear or Plane
Knowing when a tool is the wrong fit is just as important as knowing its strengths
Skip Linear if...
- ✗Plan limits still need buyer verification:Always confirm usage caps, seat limits, and renewal pricing on the official provider site before purchasing.
- ✗Fit depends on workflow:Teams with complex integrations or strict compliance requirements should compare Linear against at least two alternatives.
- ✗Review signals can lag product changes:New feature launches and pricing updates may not be reflected in public user feedback immediately.
Skip Plane if...
- ✗Fewer integrations than established competitors
- ✗Some advanced features still in development
- ✗Self-hosting requires technical expertise
Linear vs Plane Decision Framework
Choose based on what matters most to you
Linear vs Plane Pricing
| Pricing Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | $8/mo | $7/mo |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 3 |
| Value Rating | 9.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
Linear Plans
- ✓Unlimited issues
- ✓Unlimited members
- ✓Basic roadmaps
- ✓Unlimited teams
- ✓Guest access
- ✓Priority support
- ✓Advanced insights
- ✓Timelines
- ✓Custom analytics
- ✓SSO/SAML
- ✓Audit logs
- ✓SLA guarantees
Plane Plans
- ✓Unlimited members
- ✓Unlimited projects
- ✓Issue tracking
- ✓Cycles and modules
- +1 more
- ✓Everything in Free
- ✓Custom workflows
- ✓Advanced analytics
- ✓GitHub and Slack integration
- +1 more
- ✓Everything in Pro
- ✓SSO and SCIM
- ✓Advanced security
- ✓Custom roles
- +1 more
What You Get: Plan Feature Comparison
Comparing Linear's Standard ($8/mo) vs Plane's Pro ($7/mo)
| Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited teams | ✓ | ✗ |
| Guest access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Priority support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Everything in Free | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom workflows | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
| GitHub and Slack integration | ✗ | ✓ |
Which Should You Choose?
Quick Buyer's Guide
Based on our analysis, here's who each tool is best suited for
- ✓Is Linear free?Provider data indicates a free plan is available.
- ✓What should I verify before buying?Confirm current pricing, plan limits, cancellation terms, integrations, and support response expectations.
- ✓Users who need clear category fit:Linear is positioned for buyers comparing project management options, making it easier to benchmark against direct alternatives.
- ✓Product teams wanting an open-source Jira alternative
- ✓Startups preferring self-hosted project management
- ✓Users who need open-source with self-hosting option
- ✓Teams with tighter budgets ($7/mo vs $8/mo)
Linear vs Plane: The Bottom Line
Linear takes this matchup, though Plane remains a viable alternative.
Choose Linear for its unmatched speed, polished UI, and opinionated workflows that fast-moving engineering teams love. Go with Plane if you want an open-source, self-hostable option with generous free-tier limits. Plane at 8.3/10 is still competitive and may be the better fit depending on your specific requirements and budget.