GitHub Issues vs Linear: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
GitHub Issues positions itself as "built-in project tracking for development teams" while Linear goes after "streamline issues, projects, and product roadmaps" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. GitHub Issues (founded 2008) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Linear (2019) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| GitHub Issues | Linear | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 72/100 | 83/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $10/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Built-in project tracking for development teams | Streamline issues, projects, and product roadmaps |
Pricing comparison
Linear
Pricing verified 2026-04-16
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Feature comparison
core
| Feature | GitHub Issues | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Issue tracking | Yes | No |
| Project boards | Yes | No |
| Roadmap view | Yes | No |
| Custom fields | Yes | No |
| Sub-issues | Yes | No |
| Task management | No | Yes |
| Timeline view | No | Yes |
| Kanban boards | No | Yes |
| Calendar view | No | No |
| Dependencies | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | GitHub Issues | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot summaries | Team+ | No |
| Milestones | Yes | No |
| Labels | Yes | No |
| Automation | Basic | Yes |
| GitHub Actions integration | Yes | No |
| Custom fields | No | Yes |
| Portfolios | No | No |
| Resource management | No | No |
| Cycles/Sprints | No | Yes |
| AI Agent integration | No | Yes |
| Linear Agent | No | Yes |
| Multi-level sub-teams | No | Enterprise |
integrations
| Feature | GitHub Issues | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| PRs + commits | Yes | No |
| Slack | Yes | Yes |
| Jira | Yes | No |
| Zapier | Yes | Yes |
| GitHub Actions | Yes | No |
| Google Workspace | No | No |
| Microsoft Teams | No | Yes |
| GitHub | No | Yes |
| Claude Code | No | Yes |
| Cursor | No | Yes |
collaboration
| Feature | GitHub Issues | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Comments | No | Yes |
| File sharing | No | Yes |
| Real-time editing | No | Yes |
| Guest access | No | Business+ |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing GitHub Issues means going without Task management, Timeline view, Kanban boards (which Linear offers). Choosing Linear means losing Issue tracking, Project boards, Roadmap view. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Linear (51-200 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. GitHub Issues (1,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose GitHub Issues if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Linear if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is GitHub Issues or Linear better?
Linear scores 83/100 compared to GitHub Issues's 72/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — GitHub Issues excels at ease of use (8/10) while Linear scores 9/10.
How much does GitHub Issues cost compared to Linear?
GitHub Issues starts at free (free tier available). Linear starts at $10/mo (free tier available). GitHub Issues is the more affordable option.
Does GitHub Issues or Linear have a free plan?
Yes, both GitHub Issues and Linear offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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