Plane vs Shortcut
Plane is open-source project management tool for software teams. Self-hostable alternative to Jira and Linear, while Shortcut is project management for software teams with a focus on simplicity and collaboration. The biggest difference up front: Plane is free, while Shortcut starts at $8.50/user/mo. Plane is built for teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management, whereas Shortcut targets mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light.
| Feature | Plane | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| API | — | ✓ |
| Cycles | ✓ | — |
| Epics | — | ✓ |
| Iterations | — | ✓ |
| Milestones | — | ✓ |
| Modules | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
| Stories | — | ✓ |
| Views | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Plane is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Shortcut starts at $8.50/user/mo, but Free for up to 10 users. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Plane offers Cycles, Modules and Open Source that Shortcut lacks. Shortcut brings API, Epics and Iterations that Plane does not have.
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. Shortcut is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Plane's biggest strengths are: open source and self-hostable. clean, modern interface inspired by linear. Shortcut's biggest strengths are: right balance of features without jira's complexity. clean, intuitive interface.
Watch out for: With Plane, users commonly note that less mature than established alternatives. With Shortcut, the main complaint is that smaller market share means less community content.
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, Shortcut is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Cycles and Modules
- You care about clean, modern interface inspired by 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
frequently asked
What is the difference between Plane and Shortcut?
Plane is open-source project management tool for software teams. Self-hostable alternative to Jira and Linear, while Shortcut is project management for software teams with a focus on simplicity and collaboration. The biggest difference up front: Plane is free, while Shortcut starts at $8.50/user/mo. Plane is built for teams that want open-source, self-hosted project management, whereas Shortcut targets mid-size software teams that find jira too heavy and trello too light.
Should I use Plane or Shortcut?
Plane is the free option; Shortcut charges $8.50/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Plane over Shortcut?
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, Shortcut is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Cycles and Modules; You care about clean, modern interface inspired by linear.
When should I choose Shortcut over Plane?
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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