Linear vs Smartsheet
Linear
SmartsheetWe may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. How we make money.
Quick verdict
Linear edges it overall, winning 3 of 4 rating categories. Linear is cheaper to start ($10 vs $12).
Choose 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 LinearChoose Smartsheet if…
You’re operations teams and PMOs that think in spreadsheets. Spreadsheet-style project management for operations and PMOs: grids, Gantt charts, dashboards and automations familiar to anyone who knows Excel.
Visit SmartsheetSide by side
| Linear | Smartsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Features | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Ease of use | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Output quality | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Category | Project management | Project management |
| Free plan | Yes: 250 issues, 2 teams | No: free trial |
| Cheapest paid plan (monthly) | $10/mo | $12/mo |
| Same plan billed yearly | $10/mo | $9/mo |
| Top plan | Business: $16/mo | Business: $24/mo |
| Seats | Per user | Per member; contributors and guests free |
| Trial / refund | Free plan | Free trial |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Best for | Startup product and engineering teams that find Jira heavy | Operations teams and PMOs that think in spreadsheets |
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
Smartsheet: pros & cons
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Strong Gantt and dashboards
- Free contributors and viewers
- No free plan
- Feels dated next to monday.com or ClickUp
Questions from readers
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