Linear is a project management tool designed specifically for software development teams. It provides issue tracking, project planning, and roadmapping with an interface that prioritizes speed and keyboard-first navigation. The application loads and responds noticeably faster than most alternatives.
Linear takes an opinionated approach to workflow. Rather than offering infinite customization, it provides a well-designed default structure cycles for sprint-like planning, projects for grouping related work, and a clear status progression for issues.
For software teams frustrated with Jira's complexity and slowness, Linear provides a focused alternative. The GitHub integration automatically updates issue status when branches are created and pull requests are merged, reducing the manual overhead of keeping the tracker in sync with actual work.
For small teams and startups, Linear's free tier is comprehensive enough for most needs. The opinionated structure means less time spent configuring the tool and more time spent building. The interface is polished enough that developers actually use it.
Free tier for up to 250 issues. Standard plan at 8 dollars per user per month for unlimited issues and advanced features. Plus plan at 14 dollars per user per month for enterprise features.