ClickUp vs Linear: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of ClickUp and Linear to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
ClickUp
7.1/10
ClickUp is a work management platform with tasks, docs, chat, automations, AI agents and a CRM layer for contacts, companies and deals, aimed at business teams.
Linear
6.8/10
Linear is an issue tracking and project planning tool built for software product and engineering teams, with cycles, roadmaps, triage and AI agents.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Cost | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 9/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Security | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $12/user/mo Core | $10/user/mo Basic |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free Forever | Free Free |
| Features | ||
| Collaboration | Not listed | |
| Lead Management | Not listed | |
| Integrations | Not listed | |
| Sales Automation | Not listed | |
| Opportunity Management | Not listed | |
| Contact Management | Not listed | |
| Reporting & Analytics | Not listed | |
| Mobile Access | Not listed | |
| App integrations | Not listed | |
| Task lists | Not listed | |
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
| Task management | Not listed | |
| Time tracking | Not listed | |
| Workflow automation | Not listed | |
| Dashboards | Not listed | |
| Kanban boards | Not listed | |
| Collaboration tools | Not listed | |
| Reporting | Not listed | |
| Goals and OKRs | Not listed | |
ClickUp vs Linear cost by team size
ClickUp and Linear cost the same at every team size we checked.
| Team size | ClickUp | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 10 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 25 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 50 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose ClickUp
- Higher Customization score (9/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Analytics score (7/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for agencies (8/10 vs 3/10)
- Better fit for operations teams (7/10 vs 2/10)
Why choose Linear
- Higher Ease of Use score (9/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Scalability score (8/10 vs 7/10)
Pros & Cons
ClickUp
Pros
- Deals can become delivery projects in the same workspace, which suits agencies and consultancies that sell and deliver client work.
- The free plan allows unlimited members and unlimited tasks, so small teams can try the platform before paying.
- Custom fields, task types, many views and automations let teams model most pipelines and processes without code.
- Enterprise security options include SAML, SCIM, audit logs, data residency and HIPAA support with a BAA.
Cons
- It is not a dedicated CRM. Reviewers report needing Zapier automations for CRM workflows, and the CRM page does not confirm email sync or native calling.
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and say new users need hours of training to become proficient.
- G2 and Capterra reviewers report bugs, slow performance and support replies that do not resolve problems.
- The late-2026 pricing change raised per-user list prices for new workspaces, and heavy AI use requires buying extra credits.
Linear
Pros
- Reviewers repeatedly name the interface as one of the fastest in the category, with interactions that feel instant.
- The Free plan includes unlimited members, the API and webhooks, and Linear Agent.
- Built-in AI features include triage routing, MCP access and coding agent sessions.
- The security page lists SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, and a HIPAA BAA is available on request.
Cons
- The workflow is built for software teams and fits non-engineering use poorly.
- There is no native time tracking, and G2 reviewers say epic management is weak.
- Dashboards, SAML and SCIM require the custom-priced Enterprise plan.
- Some AI features use separate AI credits, so the per-seat price can understate the total cost.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
ClickUp scores higher on our AI Software criteria: 7.1/10 against 6.8/10 for Linear. The largest gap is in Customization: 9/10 for ClickUp and 5/10 for Linear.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both ClickUp and Linear have a free plan.
ClickUp is the better fit for agencies: we rate it 8/10 for them, against 3/10 for Linear.
