Best Linear Alternatives in 2026
Looking for a free or open-source alternative to Linear? We compared the top project-management tools to help you find the right fit. Linear is a purpose-built tool for planning and building products with AI agents. It streamlines issues, sprints, and product roadmaps for modern software teams.
Top Linear Alternatives
Why Look for Linear Alternatives?
Linear is a beautifully designed project management tool, but it has limitations:
- Pricing — $8/user/month for Standard, $14/user/month for Plus. No free tier for teams.
- Opinionated workflow — Linear's workflow is designed for software teams. Non-engineering teams may find it rigid.
- No self-hosting — Linear is cloud-only with no self-hosted option.
- Limited integrations — Compared to Jira or GitHub Issues, Linear's integration ecosystem is smaller.
Top 5 Linear Alternatives
1. Plane — Best Open-Source Alternative
Plane is the closest open-source alternative to Linear. It offers issues, cycles (sprints), views, and a clean UI. It has a built-in Jira importer for easy migration.
| Feature | Linear | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Self-Hosted | No | Yes |
| Issues & Sprints | Yes | Yes (Cycles) |
| Free Tier | No | Yes (500 issues) |
| Pricing | $8/user/mo | Free / $7/user |
Best for: Teams that want Linear-like features with self-hosting.
2. GitHub Issues — Best Free Option
GitHub Issues is free, integrates directly with your codebase, and now supports task lists, sub-issues, and project boards.
Best for: Developer teams already using GitHub.
3. Focalboard — Best Notion-Like Boards
Focalboard is an open-source project management tool with kanban boards, tables, and calendars. It's self-hosted and offers a Notion-like experience.
Best for: Teams that want flexible board-based project management.
4. Shortcut — Best for Growing Teams
Shortcut (formerly Clubhouse) offers a balance between Linear's simplicity and Jira's power. It's designed for scaling engineering teams.
Best for: Growing teams that need more than Linear but less than Jira.
5. Wekan — Best Self-Hosted Kanban
Wekan is an open-source kanban board that's lightweight and easy to self-host. It's a Trello-like tool with more flexibility.
Best for: Teams that want a simple, self-hosted kanban board.
Comparison Table
| Tool | Open Source | Self-Hosted | Free Tier | Sprints | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free / $7/user |
| GitHub Issues | No | No | Yes | No | Free |
| Focalboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Free |
| Shortcut | No | No | No | Yes | $8.50/user |
| Wekan | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Free |
FAQ
Q: Can I import my Linear data into Plane? A: Plane doesn't have a direct Linear importer yet, but you can export Linear data to CSV and import it manually.
Q: Which alternative is best for non-engineering teams? A: Focalboard or Wekan are better for non-engineering teams — they offer flexible boards without software-specific workflows.
Q: Which is truly free for unlimited users? A: GitHub Issues, Focalboard (self-hosted), and Wekan (self-hosted) are free for unlimited users.
Related Pages
- Free Project Management Tools — Comprehensive PM tool guide
- Jira to Plane Migration — Step-by-step migration guide
- Self-Hosted SaaS Alternatives — Guide to self-hosting
- Notion Alternatives — All-in-one workspace alternatives
- SaaS Cost Calculator — Calculate your potential savings