Linear vs Jira
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
Jira beats Linear for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 9.1/10 and industry standard for software development. Choose Linear if you need incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions).
Linear
Blazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams
Starting from
$8/mo
Jira
WinnerIndustry-leading agile project management for dev teams
Starting from
$7.53/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Starting Price | $8/mo | $7.53/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | Unlimited | 10 (free) |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | Unlimited | 2GB (free) |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 50+ | 3000+ |
| 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
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
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?
Linear
Choose Jira if you need enterprise features and compliance, use other Atlassian products, require extensive customization, or have complex workflows across multiple teams.
Jira
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 Linear better than Jira?
Jira scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 9.1/10). Jira excels at industry standard for software development, while Linear is better for incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions).
Which is cheaper, Linear or Jira?
Jira is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Jira offers NaN% savings.
Linear vs Jira: which should I choose?
Choose Linear if you prioritize incredibly fast ui (50ms interactions). Choose Jira if you need industry standard for software development. Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Linear and Jira?
The main difference is Linear offers blazing-fast issue tracking for modern dev teams, while Jira focuses on industry-leading agile project management for dev teams.