Linear vs Asana
Linear and Asana represent two popular approaches to project management. My team has used both for real projects, and we've learned that the "best" tool often depends on your team's working style. Linear scores 9.1/10, but team adoption matters more than features.
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Quick Answer
Linear beats Asana for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 9/10 and incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions). Choose Asana if you need excellent task management.
Linear
WinnerBlazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams
Starting from
$8/mo
Asana
Comprehensive project tracking for teams
Starting from
$10.99/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $8/mo | $10.99/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | Unlimited | 15 (free) |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | Unlimited | 100MB/file |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 50+ | 200+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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
Asana
- Excellent task management
- Multiple project views
- Powerful workflow builder
- Goals and portfolio tracking
- Great free tier
- Strong mobile apps
- Can be overwhelming at first
- Advanced features are pricey
- Limited time tracking
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: Linear focuses on incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions), while Asana emphasizes excellent task management. Both philosophies have merit depending on your priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
Linear
Choose Linear if you prioritize incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions), want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value beautiful, modern design.
Asana
Choose Asana if you prioritize excellent task management, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value multiple project views.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Linear is our winner with a rating of 9.1/10 compared to Asana's 9/10. Linear stands out for its incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions) and beautiful, modern design. While Asana is more affordable, Linear's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, Asana remains an excellent choice if excellent task management is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Switching project management tools affects your whole team. Most tools offer data export, but workflows and automations won't transfer. Plan for a transition period where you might run both systems briefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linear better than Asana?
Linear scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 9/10). Linear excels at incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions), while Asana is better for excellent task management.
Which is cheaper, Linear or Asana?
Asana is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Asana offers NaN% savings.
Linear vs Asana: which should I choose?
Choose Linear if you prioritize incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions). Choose Asana if you need excellent task management. Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Linear and Asana?
The main difference is Linear offers blazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams, while Asana focuses on comprehensive project tracking for teams.