# Linear alternatives

> Linear is the fast issue tracker most startups copy. These alternatives trade speed for enterprise process, cross-team plans or open-source ownership.

Linear made issue tracking feel fast again and set the visual language for modern product teams. The alternatives below are stronger in specific directions: Jira and Smartsheet for formal process, Asana and ClickUp for cross-functional work, Plane for self-hosting, and Shortcut for a simple weekly shipping cadence.

- Canonical page: https://rebupl.fun/alternatives/linear
- Reviewed: 2026-11-07
- Alternatives listed: 6

## Alternatives

### Jira

The default enterprise issue tracker.

Jira's workflows, permissions and reporting fit large teams and compliance-heavy delivery. For a five-person startup it is usually more configuration than the work deserves.

- URL: https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira
- Category: Issue tracking
- Pricing: freemium — Free up to 10 users; paid from around $8/user/mo.
- Audience: Engineering orgs with formal delivery processes
- Tags: enterprise, agile, issues

### Asana

Project plans and workflows for the whole company.

Asana is stronger than Linear when marketing, ops and product need one shared plan. Engineering-specific velocity reporting is weaker, so many teams run both.

- URL: https://asana.com
- Category: Work management
- Pricing: freemium — Free plan; paid from around $10.99/user/mo.
- Audience: Cross-functional teams running campaigns and projects
- Tags: projects, marketing, workflow

### ClickUp

Docs, tasks, goals and chat in one sprawling workspace.

ClickUp replaces a stack of project tools with one product at a low per-seat price. The breadth is the point and the risk: configuration can become a project of its own.

- URL: https://clickup.com
- Category: Work management
- Pricing: freemium — Free plan; Unlimited around $7/user/mo.
- Audience: Teams consolidating many tools into one workspace
- Tags: all-in-one, tasks, docs

### Height

An autonomous project tracker with strong keyboard flow.

Height automates some of the busywork around triage, status and updates. It is fast and opinionated; teams that need deep custom workflows may run out of rope.

- URL: https://height.app
- Category: Issue tracking
- Pricing: freemium — Free plan; paid plans available.
- Audience: Product teams that want less manual triage
- Tags: automation, tasks, product

### Plane

Open-source project tracking with cycles and modules.

Plane covers the Linear-shaped workflow — cycles, modules, issues — with a self-hosted option. The polish is close, and the open-source route avoids per-seat pricing.

- URL: https://plane.so
- Category: Issue tracking
- Pricing: freemium — Free self-hosted; cloud paid plans available.
- Audience: Engineering teams that want an open alternative
- Tags: open source, issues, cycles

### Shortcut

A fast, opinionated tracker for software teams.

Shortcut keeps stories, epics and iterations simple and fast. It lacks Linear's ecosystem, but the workflow is clear and the free tier is usable for a small team.

- URL: https://shortcut.com
- Category: Issue tracking
- Pricing: freemium — Free up to 10 users; paid from around $8.50/user/mo.
- Audience: Product and engineering teams that ship weekly
- Tags: stories, agile, issues

## FAQ

### What is the best Linear alternative for a small startup?

Shortcut and Height are the closest in speed and scope. If the team already uses Jira or Asana for other work, staying in that tool is usually cheaper than running a second tracker.

### Should I use Linear or Jira?

Linear is better for a small product team that wants speed and a clear opinion. Jira is better when you need custom workflows, formal permissions, compliance or deep reporting across many teams.

### Do I need a separate tracker for design and marketing?

Not always, but product and non-product work have different shapes. Many teams keep engineering in Linear and run campaigns in Asana or ClickUp, with a small shared intake form between them.

## Links

- [HTML page](https://rebupl.fun/alternatives/linear)
- [Alternatives index](https://rebupl.fun/alternatives)
- [Editorial policy](https://rebupl.fun/editorial-policy)