Asana vs Linear: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right project management tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Linear (by a slight margin)

Linear edges out with a slightly higher rating (8.5 vs 8)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
A
Asana
L
Linear(Winner)
Overall Rating
8/10
8.5/10
Starting Price
$10.99/mo
$8/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
small
Ease of Use
8/10
9/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
7/10
9/10
Support
8/10
8/10

Overview

Asana is a comprehensive work management platform that helps teams orchestrate work, from daily tasks to strategic initiatives. It offers multiple project views, automation, and integrations with 200+ apps.

Linear is a modern, fast issue tracking tool designed for high-performance software teams. Known for its speed, keyboard shortcuts, and clean design.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Linear
A

Asana

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$10.99/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
L

Linear

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$8/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Asana
FeatureAsanaLinear
Kanban Boards
Gantt Charts
Time Tracking
Limited
Resource Management
Custom Fields
Automation
Mobile App
Api Access
Guest Access
Max Users
Unlimited
Unlimited

1

features unique to Asana

0

features unique to Linear

Pros & Cons

A

Asana

Pros

  • Intuitive interface with multiple project views
  • Powerful automation rules (custom workflows)
  • Excellent timeline and dependency tracking
  • Strong free tier for small teams
  • 200+ integrations available

Cons

  • Can feel overwhelming for simple projects
  • Premium features require paid plans
  • Limited time tracking in native app
  • Reporting could be more robust
L

Linear

Pros

  • Incredibly fast and responsive
  • Beautiful, modern interface
  • Great keyboard shortcuts
  • Excellent GitHub integration
  • Cycles and roadmap features

Cons

  • Primarily for software teams
  • Less customizable than alternatives
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • No time tracking

The Verdict: Linear Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Linear edges out Asana with a slightly higher overall rating of 8.5/10 versus 8/10. Both are solid choices, but Linear offers a marginally better overall package.

Linear's advantages include Incredibly fast and responsive and Beautiful, modern interface, though Asana counters with Intuitive interface with multiple project views and Powerful automation rules (custom workflows).

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Linear, but don't count out Asana if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Asana if you...

  • • Need marketing teams managing campaigns
  • • Need cross-functional project coordination
  • • Need teams needing multiple project views

Choose Linear if you...

  • • Need fast-moving dev teams
  • • Need startups building products
  • • Need teams valuing speed and design

Ready to Get Started?

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

Asana vs Linear FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Linear has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Linear is more affordable with plans starting at $8/month, compared to $10.99/month for the other.
Linear scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to Asana (8/10).
Yes, migration between Asana and Linear is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Linear is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Asana offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Asana excels at: Marketing teams managing campaigns, Cross-functional project coordination. Linear is better for: Fast-moving dev teams, Startups building products. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 8/10.
Linear offers better value for money with a rating of 9/10 compared to Asana's 7/10.
Consider switching if Linear's strengths (Fast-moving dev teams) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.