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

Overview

L

Linear

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

N

Notion

Notion combines notes, databases, kanban boards, and wikis in a single flexible workspace. Highly popular for its versatility and clean design.

Pricing Comparison

L

Linear

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$8/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
N

Notion

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

Features Comparison

FeatureLinearNotion
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

0

features unique to Notion

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
N

Notion

Pros

  • Incredibly flexible and customizable
  • Beautiful, clean interface
  • Combines docs, wikis, and projects
  • Great templates library
  • Generous free tier

Cons

  • Not a dedicated PM tool (jack of all trades)
  • No native time tracking
  • Can be slow with large databases
  • Learning curve for databases

The Verdict: Linear Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Linear edges out Notion 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 Notion counters with Incredibly flexible and customizable and Beautiful, clean interface.

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

Choose Linear if you...

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

Choose Notion if you...

  • • Need documentation-heavy teams
  • • Need startups wanting flexibility
  • • Need personal knowledge management

Ready to Get Started?

Try LinearTry Notion

Read our full reviews:

Linear Full ReviewNotion Full Review

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

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Linear vs Notion 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.
Both tools have similar pricing. Linear starts at $8/month while Notion starts at $8/month.
Linear scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to Notion (8/10).
Yes, migration between Linear and Notion 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. Notion is better for: Documentation-heavy teams, Startups wanting flexibility. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Linear rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Notion (7/10).
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 9/10.
Consider switching if Notion's strengths (Documentation-heavy teams) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.