Trello
Visual kanban boards for organizing projects and tasks with cards and lists....
Linear
Fast and beautiful issue tracking for software teams building great products....
Trello vs Linear: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Trello and Linear covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Quick Overview
Trello
- Best for: Small teams, Personal projects
- Starting price: Free
- Category: project management
- Founded: 2011
Linear
- Best for: Product teams, Startups
- Starting price: Free
- Category: project management
- Founded: 2019
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Trello and Linear.
| Feature | T Trello | L Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Task Management | ||
| Kanban Boards | ||
| Gantt Charts | Timeline view | |
| Time Tracking | ||
| File Sharing | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Automation | ||
| 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. Trello remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize small teams.
Pros & Cons
Trello Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very intuitive
- Great free tier
- Flexible
- Good mobile apps
- Power-Ups ecosystem
Cons
- Limited for complex projects
- Gets messy at scale
- Basic reporting
- Power-Ups cost extra
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.
Trello
freemium- Unlimited cards
- 10 boards/workspace
- Basic automation
- Unlimited boards
- Advanced checklists
- Custom fields
- Views
- Admin controls
- Unlimited automation
- Unlimited workspaces
- Organization-wide permissions
- Public board management
Linear
freemium- Unlimited issues
- 250 members
- Basic features
- Unlimited members
- Roadmaps
- Guest access
- Time tracking
- Linear Asks
- Custom workflows
- SSO
- Audit logs
- Advanced security
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Trello if you need:
- Small teams
- Personal projects
- Kanban workflows
- Visual thinkers
- Very intuitive
- Great free tier
Choose Linear if you need:
- Product teams
- Startups
- Engineering teams
- Modern software companies
- Beautiful design
- Lightning fast
Trello vs Linear FAQ
What are the main differences between Trello and Linear?
Trello focuses on small teams with very intuitive, while Linear excels at product teams with beautiful design. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Trello or Linear better for small businesses?
Trello 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 Trello's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Trello and Linear?
Trello 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 Trello integrate with Linear?
While direct integration may vary, both Trello and Linear support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Trello integrates with Slack, Google Drive, Jira, while Linear works with GitHub, GitLab, Slack.
Which tool is easier to use, Trello 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. Trello is known for great free tier.
Does Trello or Linear offer better customer support?
Both Trello and Linear provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Trello offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Trello compared to Linear?
Trello's main advantages include: Very intuitive, Great free tier, Flexible. Compared to Linear, it's particularly strong for small teams.
What are the cons of Trello compared to Linear?
Trello's potential drawbacks include: Limited for complex projects, Gets messy at scale. Linear may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Trello 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. Trello excels for small teams, while Linear is ideal for product teams.