Linear vs Plane: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Linear and Plane comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Linear wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Pick Plane if you need project management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Linear
Issue tracking for software teams
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast and responsive
- • You want beautiful interface
Plane
Open-source project management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Plane | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Task Management | Project Management |
Rating | - | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Linear or Plane?
Choose Linear if
Issue tracking for software teams
- You want extremely fast and responsive
- You want beautiful interface
- Your work is task management-shaped, not project management-shaped
Choose Plane if
Open-source project management
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
- Your work is project management-shaped, not task management-shaped
| Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 15 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProject Management | Project ManagementTask Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Linear
Issue tracking for software teams
Linear is the fastest, most polished issue tracker available, and its pricing is refreshingly simple.
Watch out
250-issue cap on Free: once you hit 250 active issues, you must upgrade or archive old issues. Growing teams hit this within 2-3 months of real usage
Strengths
- +Extremely fast and responsive
- +Beautiful interface
- +Excellent keyboard shortcuts
- +Good GitHub integration
Weaknesses
- -Limited customization vs Jira
- -Focused on software teams only
- -No time tracking built-in
Key features
Plane
Open-source project management
Plane offers a very generous Free tier for up to 12 users, making it highly accessible for small teams.
Watch out
No explicit mention of data storage limits
Strengths
- +Open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Modern UI
Weaknesses
- -Newer project
- -Fewer integrations
Key features
Pricing: Linear vs Plane
| Plan | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $10 Basic | $8 Pro |
| Tier 3 | $16 Business | $13 Business |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Linear pricing and Plane pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Linear
Want the highest-rated option?
Plane is rated 4.4/5. Linear has no ratings yet.
Go with: Plane
Value user reviews?
Linear: no ratings yet. Plane: 15 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Plane
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Linear is a task management tool. Plane is in project management. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Plane is rated 4.4/5; Linear has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Linear
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Plane
- Better fit for project management
The Bottom Line
Linear wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linear or Plane better?
Linear is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Linear and Plane used for?
Linear: Issue tracking for software teams. Plane: Open-source project management.
What does Linear cost vs Plane?
Linear is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Plane is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.