Jira vs Linear
Jira vs Linear is the enterprise standard against the modern challenger. Jira has dominated developer project management for years; Linear built a faster, cleaner alternative. If you're a software team, this comparison matters.
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Quick Answer
Linear beats Jira for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 9.1/10 and incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions). Choose Jira if you need industry standard for software development.
Jira
Industry-leading agile project management for dev teams
Starting from
$7.53/mo
Linear
WinnerBlazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams
Starting from
$8/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Starting Price | $7.53/mo | $8/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | 10 (free) | Unlimited |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | 2GB (free) | Unlimited |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 3000+ | 50+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Jira
- Industry standard for software development
- Powerful Scrum and Kanban support
- Extensive marketplace with 3,000+ apps
- Advanced workflow customization
- Deep GitHub/GitLab integration
- AI-powered features in Premium
- 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader
- Steep learning curve
- Can become expensive with add-ons
- Complex for non-technical teams
- Free plan limited to 10 users
Linear
- Incredibly fast UI (50ms interactions)
- Beautiful, modern design
- Real-time collaboration
- Deep GitHub/GitLab integration
- Cycles for sprint planning
- Powerful keyboard shortcuts
- AI-powered semantic search
- Free plan limited to 250 issues
- Less customizable than Jira
- Focused on software teams only
- Fewer integrations than competitors
Key Difference
Jira is slow but infinitely customizable. Linear is fast but more opinionated. Jira integrates with everything; Linear integrates with essentials. Jira requires administration; Linear stays out of the way. Age vs youth.
Which Should You Choose?
Jira
Choose Jira if you need enterprise features and compliance, use other Atlassian products, require extensive customization, or have complex workflows across multiple teams.
Linear
Choose Linear if you want the fastest issue tracker available, prefer clean modern design, have a smaller dev team, or value speed and keyboard shortcuts over customization.
Our Verdict
Jira wins for enterprise with its massive ecosystem, customization, and Atlassian integration. Linear wins for modern dev teams with its speed, clean design, and developer-first approach. Company size and existing toolchain guide this choice.
Thinking of Switching?
Linear has Jira import. If your team is frustrated with Jira's speed, Linear feels transformative. If you need Jira's ecosystem, Linear won't replace it. Consider running both briefly to test team response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jira better than Linear?
Linear scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 9.1/10). Linear excels at incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions), while Jira is better for industry standard for software development.
Which is cheaper, Jira or Linear?
Linear is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Linear offers NaN% savings.
Jira vs Linear: which should I choose?
Choose Jira if you prioritize industry standard for software development. Choose Linear if you need incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions). Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Jira and Linear?
The main difference is Jira offers industry-leading agile project management for dev teams, while Linear focuses on blazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams.