Linear vs Shortcut
Linear is fast, opinionated project management tool built for software teams, while Shortcut is project management for software teams with a focus on simplicity and collaboration. Linear comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. Linear is built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows, whereas Shortcut targets mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light.
| Feature | Linear | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| API | — | ✓ |
| Cycles | ✓ | — |
| Epics | — | ✓ |
| Git Integration | ✓ | — |
| Iterations | — | ✓ |
| Keyboard First | ✓ | — |
| Milestones | — | ✓ |
| Roadmaps | ✓ | — |
| Stories | — | ✓ |
| Triage | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. Linear's free plan: Free for small teams up to 250 issues. Shortcut's free plan: Free for up to 10 users. When you outgrow the free tier, Linear is the cheaper option at $8/user/mo vs. $8.50/user/mo for Shortcut.
Feature gaps: Linear offers Cycles, Git Integration and Keyboard First that Shortcut lacks. Shortcut brings API, Epics and Iterations that Linear does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Linear's biggest strengths are: blazingly fast — feels instant. beautiful, minimal design. Shortcut's biggest strengths are: right balance of features without jira's complexity. clean, intuitive interface.
Watch out for: With Linear, users commonly note that opinionated workflow — less customizable than jira. With Shortcut, the main complaint is that smaller market share means less community content.
choose Linear if
- You need a tool built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows
- You want to save on per-user costs — Linear is $0.50/user/mo cheaper
- You specifically need Cycles and Git Integration
- You care about beautiful, minimal design
- The free tier works for you: free for small teams up to 250 issues
choose Shortcut if
- You need a tool built for mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light
- You specifically need API and Epics
- You care about clean, intuitive interface
- The free tier works for you: free for up to 10 users
frequently asked
What is the difference between Linear and Shortcut?
Linear is fast, opinionated project management tool built for software teams, while Shortcut is project management for software teams with a focus on simplicity and collaboration. Linear comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. Linear is built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows, whereas Shortcut targets mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light.
Should I use Linear or Shortcut?
Linear is built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows. Shortcut is built for mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose Linear over Shortcut?
Choose Linear if You need a tool built for software teams that want speed and keyboard-first workflows; You want to save on per-user costs — Linear is $0.50/user/mo cheaper; You specifically need Cycles and Git Integration; You care about beautiful, minimal design; The free tier works for you: free for small teams up to 250 issues.
When should I choose Shortcut over Linear?
Choose Shortcut if You need a tool built for mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light; You specifically need API and Epics; You care about clean, intuitive interface; The free tier works for you: free for up to 10 users.
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