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Software · head to head

Airbrake vs Linear

Airbrake logo

Airbrake

Software

Error Tracking and Performance Monitoring

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Linear logo

Linear

Software

The issue tracking tool you'll enjoy using

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Airbrake data retention is 30 days on every plan, including the $799 a month Business tier; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
  • They diverge on capability: Airbrake covers Error tracking, Linear covers Fast, real-time sync.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Airbrake and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Airbrake and Linear differ
AttributeAirbrakeLinear
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Founded20082019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Airbrake

  • Error tracking
  • Performance monitoring
  • Deploy tracking
  • Custom notifications
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Web support

Only in Linear

  • Fast, real-time sync
  • Keyboard-first design
  • Automatic issue tracking
  • Cycles (sprints)
  • Projects & milestones
  • Custom workflows
  • API & webhooks
  • Built-in roadmaps

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Airbrake

  • Error and exception monitoring for web applicationsnot Linear
  • Performance monitoring alongside error trackingnot Linear
  • Alerting a team when a deploy introduces a spike in errorsnot Linear
  • Tracking errors across multiple projects in one accountnot Linear

Linear

  • Issue management and triage, converting customer feedback into prioritized issuesnot Airbrake
  • Strategic planning via initiatives, roadmaps, and PRDs from idea to launchnot Airbrake
  • Agent-assisted development, with agents drafting docs and submitting pull requestsnot Airbrake
  • Code review with structural diffs for human and agent outputnot Airbrake
  • Progress monitoring via dashboards tracking cycle times and project healthnot Airbrake

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Airbrake

  • Data retention is 30 days on every plan, including the $799 a month Business tier
  • The entry plan at $19 a month covers 25,000 errors and 7,500 events
  • Errors beyond the plan quota are billed on demand
  • Audit logs and spike forgiveness require the Pro tier
  • The lowest tier is limited to 1 user and 1 team

Linear

  • No task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
  • No native time-tracking or hour-logging feature
  • No native Linux desktop app; official FAQ states it 'may come in the future but it's not on the roadmap for now'
  • Free tier capped at 250 issues and 2 teams

Pricing, plan by plan

Airbrake

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Error tracking
    • Performance monitoring
    • Deploy tracking

Linear

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited members
    • 2 teams
    • 250 issues
  • Basic$10/month
    • 5 teams
    • Unlimited issues
    • Unlimited file uploads
  • Business$16/month
    • Unlimited teams
    • Private teams/guests
    • Triage Intelligence
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SAML/SCIM
    • Granular admin controls
    • Invoice/PO billing

Which should you pick?

Choose Airbrake if

  • You need error tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want performance monitoring.
Airbrake review

Choose Linear if

  • You need fast, real-time sync.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want keyboard-first design.
Linear review

Questions people ask

Is Airbrake or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Airbrake starts at Free and Linear at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Airbrake or Linear?
Airbrake starts at Free and Linear at Free.
Does Airbrake or Linear run on more platforms?
Airbrake runs on Web, Api. Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Airbrake for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Airbrake best used for?
Airbrake is most often used for error and exception monitoring for web applications, performance monitoring alongside error tracking, alerting a team when a deploy introduces a spike in errors, tracking errors across multiple projects in one account. Of those, error and exception monitoring for web applications and performance monitoring alongside error tracking are not what Linear is typically brought in for.
What can Airbrake do that Linear cannot?
Airbrake covers Error tracking, Performance monitoring, Deploy tracking, Custom notifications. Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints).
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