Linear vs Plane
Linear is fast, opinionated project management tool built for software teams, while Plane is open-source project management tool for software teams. Self-hostable alternative to Jira and Linear. The biggest difference up front: Plane is free, while Linear starts at $8/user/mo. Linear is built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows, whereas Plane targets teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management.
| Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| Cycles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Git Integration | ✓ | — |
| Keyboard First | ✓ | — |
| Modules | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | — | ✓ |
| Roadmaps | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | — | ✓ |
| Triage | ✓ | — |
| Views | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Plane is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Linear starts at $8/user/mo, but Free for small teams up to 250 issues. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Linear offers Git Integration, Keyboard First and Roadmaps that Plane lacks. Plane brings Modules, Open Source and Self-Hosted that Linear does not have. Both share Cycles.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Open source: Plane is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Linear is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Linear's biggest strengths are: blazingly fast — feels instant. beautiful, minimal design. Plane's biggest strengths are: open source and self-hostable. clean, modern interface inspired by linear.
Watch out for: With Linear, users commonly note that opinionated workflow — less customizable than jira. With Plane, the main complaint is that less mature than established alternatives.
choose Linear if
- You need a tool built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows
- You specifically need Git Integration and Keyboard First
- You care about beautiful, minimal design
- The free tier works for you: free for small teams up to 250 issues
choose Plane if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management
- Budget is a hard constraint — Plane is free, Linear is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Modules and Open Source
- You care about clean, modern interface inspired by linear
frequently asked
What is the difference between Linear and Plane?
Linear is fast, opinionated project management tool built for software teams, while Plane is open-source project management tool for software teams. Self-hostable alternative to Jira and Linear. The biggest difference up front: Plane is free, while Linear starts at $8/user/mo. Linear is built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows, whereas Plane targets teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management.
Should I use Linear or Plane?
Plane is the free option; Linear charges $8/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Linear over Plane?
Choose Linear if You need a tool built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows; You specifically need Git Integration and Keyboard First; You care about beautiful, minimal design; The free tier works for you: free for small teams up to 250 issues.
When should I choose Plane over Linear?
Choose Plane if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management; Budget is a hard constraint — Plane is free, Linear is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Modules and Open Source; You care about clean, modern interface inspired by linear.
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