Asana

4.5 (5.6k reviews)

Work management platform for organizing, tracking, and managing team work and pr...

VS 2026

Linear

4.8 (1.8k reviews)

Fast and beautiful issue tracking for software teams building great products....

Asana vs Linear: Which Is Better in 2026?

Comprehensive comparison of Asana and Linear covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.

Quick Overview

Asana

  • Best for: Cross-functional teams, Marketing operations
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: project management
  • Founded: 2008
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Linear

  • Best for: Product teams, Startups
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: project management
  • Founded: 2019
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Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Asana and Linear.

Feature
Asana
Linear
Task Management
Kanban Boards
Gantt Charts Timeline view
Time Tracking
File Sharing
Mobile App
Integrations
AI Features
Roadmaps

Our Verdict

After extensive testing and analysis, Linear edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Linear offers better overall user satisfaction. Asana remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize cross-functional teams.

Winner

Linear

Best for Product teams and Startups. Beautiful design.

Try Linear
Alternative

Asana

Best for Cross-functional teams and Marketing operations. Clean interface.

Try Asana

Pros & Cons

Asana Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Clean interface
  • Strong task management
  • Great for teams
  • Portfolio tracking
  • Good free tier
Cons
  • No native time tracking
  • Limited reporting on lower tiers
  • Can be restrictive
  • Expensive at scale

Linear Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Beautiful design
  • Lightning fast
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Great for devs
  • Cycles feature
Cons
  • Software-focused only
  • Less flexible
  • Limited customization
  • No time tracking on free

Pricing Comparison

Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.

Asana

freemium
Starting from Free
Free tier available
Personal Free
  • Unlimited tasks
  • List view
  • Board view
Starter $11 /mo
  • Timeline
  • Workflow builder
  • Forms
Enterprise Free
  • Admin controls
  • SAML
  • Custom branding

Linear

freemium
Starting from Free
Free tier available
Free Free
  • Unlimited issues
  • 250 members
  • Basic features
Plus $14 /mo
  • Time tracking
  • Linear Asks
  • Custom workflows
Enterprise Free
  • SSO
  • Audit logs
  • Advanced security

Which Tool Is Best For You?

Choose Asana if you need:

  • Cross-functional teams
  • Marketing operations
  • Product teams
  • Agencies
  • Clean interface
  • Strong task management
Try Asana Free

Choose Linear if you need:

  • Product teams
  • Startups
  • Engineering teams
  • Modern software companies
  • Beautiful design
  • Lightning fast
Try Linear Free

Asana vs Linear FAQ

What are the main differences between Asana and Linear?

Asana focuses on cross-functional teams with clean interface, while Linear excels at product teams with beautiful design. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.

Is Asana or Linear better for small businesses?

Asana offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Asana's lower starting price of $0/month.

What is the pricing difference between Asana and Linear?

Asana starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while Linear starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.

Can Asana integrate with Linear?

While direct integration may vary, both Asana and Linear support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Asana integrates with Slack, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, while Linear works with GitHub, GitLab, Slack.

Which tool is easier to use, Asana or Linear?

Based on user reviews, Linear generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.8 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Asana is known for strong task management.

Does Asana or Linear offer better customer support?

Both Asana and Linear provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Asana offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.

What are the pros of Asana compared to Linear?

Asana's main advantages include: Clean interface, Strong task management, Great for teams. Compared to Linear, it's particularly strong for cross-functional teams.

What are the cons of Asana compared to Linear?

Asana's potential drawbacks include: No native time tracking, Limited reporting on lower tiers. Linear may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.

Should I switch from Asana to Linear or vice versa?

Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.

Which tool is best for project management in 2026?

In 2026, Linear leads in this comparison with a 4.8 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Asana excels for cross-functional teams, while Linear is ideal for product teams.

Written by

SC
Sarah Chen Product Analyst

Sarah is a product analyst with 6 years of experience in the SaaS industry. She previously worked as a product manager at two successful B2B startups. Her reviews focus on user experience, feature depth, and real-world applicability.

94 articles
Project ManagementCollaboration ToolsProductivity Software