Linear vs Monday.com: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Too Close to Call

Both tools are closely matched with similar overall ratings

Quick Comparison

Aspect
L
Linear
M
Monday.com
Overall Rating
8.5/10
8.5/10
Starting Price
$8/mo
$9/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
any
Ease of Use
9/10
9/10
Features
8/10
9/10
Value for Money
9/10
7/10
Support
8/10
8/10

Overview

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

Monday.com is a flexible Work OS that lets teams build custom workflows for any project type. Known for its colorful interface and extensive customization options.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Linear
L

Linear

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

Monday.com

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$9/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Monday.com
FeatureLinearMonday.com
Kanban Boards
Gantt Charts
Time Tracking
Resource Management
Custom Fields
Automation
Mobile App
Api Access
Guest Access
Max Users
Unlimited
Unlimited

0

features unique to Linear

3

features unique to Monday.com

Pros & Cons

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
M

Monday.com

Pros

  • Extremely visual and customizable interface
  • Powerful automations and integrations
  • Multiple board views (Kanban, Gantt, Calendar)
  • Excellent for non-technical teams
  • Strong dashboard and reporting features

Cons

  • Pricing can add up quickly with add-ons
  • Minimum 3 seats on most plans
  • Can be slow with large datasets
  • Learning curve for advanced features

The Verdict: It's a Tie

Both Linear and Monday.com are excellent project management tools that deliver strong value. With nearly identical overall ratings, the choice between them comes down to your specific requirements rather than one being objectively better.

Linear shines in fast-moving dev teams, while Monday.com excels at creative and marketing agencies. Consider trying both with their free trials to see which fits your workflow better.

Our recommendation: We recommend Linear if you prioritize incredibly fast and responsive, and Monday.com if extremely visual and customizable interface matter more to you.

Choose Linear if you...

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

Choose Monday.com if you...

  • • Need creative and marketing agencies
  • • Need teams wanting visual project tracking
  • • Need non-technical teams needing flexibility

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.

Linear vs Monday.com FAQ

Both Linear and Monday.com are excellent choices with similar ratings. The better option depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, Linear is more affordable with plans starting at $8/month, compared to $9/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 9/10.
Yes, migration between Linear and Monday.com 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. Linear offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Linear excels at: Fast-moving dev teams, Startups building products. Monday.com is better for: Creative and marketing agencies, Teams wanting visual project tracking. 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 Monday.com's 7/10.
Consider switching if Monday.com's strengths (Creative and marketing agencies) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.