Leantime vs Linear
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Leantime and Linear are credible project management tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Leantime — Open-source project management for non-project-managers.
Choose Linear if you'd rather have broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). The issue tracker built for speed.
Leantime vs Linear: side by side
| Dimension | Leantime | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $6/user/mo | Free – $8/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Open source | Freemium |
| Best for | Startups, Small Teams | Engineering Teams, Startups |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted | Web, Mac, Windows, ApiWinner |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
Leantime key facts
- Vendor
- Leantime
- Pricing
- Open source — Free – $6/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Startups, Small Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- USA
Linear key facts
- Vendor
- Linear
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $8/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Api
- Best for
- Engineering Teams, Startups
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Leantime better than Linear?
Neither is universally better — Linear edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Leantime or Linear cheaper?
Leantime is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $6/user/mo. Leantime starts at free – $6/user/mo; Linear starts at free – $8/user/mo.
Can Leantime replace Linear?
Yes for most teams — both are project management tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.