Jira vs Linear Comparison
Compare Jira vs Linear features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
Jira
7.3/10
Atlassian's work and issue-tracking platform for planning, tracking, and shipping projects, with scrum and kanban boards built mainly for software and technical 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 | 7.3/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Cost | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 4/10 | 9/10 |
| Integration | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Security | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $8/user/mo Standard | $10/user/mo Basic |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free | Free Free |
| Features | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Collaboration tools | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Kanban boards | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Task lists | ||
| Task management | ||
| Timeline view | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Goals and OKRs | Not listed | |
Jira vs Linear cost by team size
Jira and Linear cost the same up to 10 users; Linear costs less from 25 users.
| Team size | Jira | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 10 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 25 users | $212/moStandard | FreeFree |
| 50 users | $424/moStandard | 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 Jira
- Higher Customization score (9/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Integration score (9/10 vs 7/10)
- Better fit for enterprise (9/10 vs 7/10)
- Includes Time tracking, which Linear lacks
Why choose Linear
- Higher Ease of Use score (9/10 vs 4/10)
Pros & Cons
Jira
Pros
- The free plan supports up to 10 users and includes scrum and kanban boards.
- Reviewers highlight deep customization of workflows, boards, and fields.
- Sprint and agile management are strong, and Jira integrates with GitHub and Git tools.
- It links closely with Confluence and other Atlassian products, so tickets can be referenced across those apps.
- Time tracking is built into every plan, including Free.
Cons
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and an interface that overwhelms non-technical users.
- Users report slow issue loading and laggy boards in large deployments.
- Paid Marketplace apps can add hidden costs for reporting, CRM, and helpdesk needs.
- The free plan is limited to 100 emails per day and community support only.
- Troubleshooting failed automation rules can be frustrating.
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
Jira scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.3/10 against 6.8/10 for Linear. The largest gap is in Ease of Use: 4/10 for Jira and 9/10 for Linear.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both Jira and Linear have a free plan.
Jira is the better fit for enterprise: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 7/10 for Linear.
Jira has Time tracking, which Linear lacks.
