Home / Alternatives to Linear / Linear vs Plane

Linear vs Plane

A side-by-side look at Linear (the paid SaaS) and Plane (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

Linear Plane
Tagline Streamlined issue tracking built for software teams. Open source JIRA alternative with cycles and modules.
License Proprietary SaaS AGPL-3.0
Pricing Free up to 10 users; Standard from $8/user/month. Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan
Self-host option No Yes — difficulty 3/5
Hosted cloud available Yes (only option) Yes
Desktop apps Varies by product Web only
Mobile apps Official apps typically available None official
Ad slot — between tables

Best for

The closest drop-in for Linear's modern issue-tracking feel.

Plane strengths

  • Modern UI inspired by Linear/Jira.
  • Cycles, modules and views.
  • Active community and rapid updates.

Plane weaknesses

  • Still adding features at pace — occasional rough edges.
  • Self-hosted setup involves several services.
  • Fewer integrations than mature incumbents.

What's the catch with Linear?

  • Opinionated — if Linear's model doesn't fit, there's friction.
  • Cloud-only — no self-host option at any price.
  • Minimal customization compared to Jira.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to Linear: see Linear alternatives, or learn more about Plane on its project page.