Cursor vs Linear
Cursor
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Quick verdict
Linear edges it overall, winning 2 of 4 rating categories. Linear is cheaper to start ($10 vs $20).
Choose Cursor if…
You’re developers who want the most capable AI coding agent. An AI-first code editor built on VS Code, with powerful multi-file agents and your choice of frontier models.
Visit CursorChoose Linear if…
You’re startup product and engineering teams that find Jira heavy. A fast, opinionated issue tracker for product and engineering teams, with cycles, roadmaps and AI agents: the modern alternative to Jira.
Visit LinearSide by side
| Cursor | Linear | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Value | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Features | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Ease of use | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Output quality | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Category | AI coding | Project management |
| Free plan | Yes: limited agent requests | Yes: 250 issues, 2 teams |
| Cheapest paid plan (monthly) | $20/mo | $10/mo |
| Same plan billed yearly | - | $10/mo |
| Top plan | Ultra: $200/mo | Business: $16/mo |
| Seats | Individual; Teams per user | Per user |
| Trial / refund | Free Hobby plan | Free plan |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux (VS Code-based editor) | Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Best for | Developers who want the most capable AI coding agent | Startup product and engineering teams that find Jira heavy |
Cursor: pros & cons
- Excellent multi-file editing agent
- Choose between top models
- Familiar VS Code feel
- Usage limits on Pro for heavy agent use
- Means switching editors
Linear: pros & cons
- Extremely fast and well designed
- Opinionated workflows reduce setup
- Free plan for small projects
- Less customizable than Jira
- Free plan capped at 250 issues
Questions from readers
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