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. Purpose-built for planning and building products with AI agents. Streamline issues, sprints, and product roadmaps.
Top Linear Alternatives
title: "Best Linear Alternatives in 2026"
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