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Software Development · head to head

Cline vs Linear

C

Cline

Software Development

The Open Coding Agent

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Linear logo

Linear

Technology

The issue tracking tool you'll enjoy using

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linear has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cline enterprise tier pricing is gated behind a sales contact; only the open source free tier and usage based inference credits are self serve, as of August 2026.; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cline and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Cline and Linear differ
AttributeClineLinear
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
CategorySoftware DevelopmentTechnology
FoundedUnknown2019

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Cline

Nothing recorded that Linear does not also cover.

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.

Cline

No use cases recorded yet. See the Cline review.

Linear

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

Where each one falls short

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

Cline

  • Enterprise tier pricing is gated behind a sales contact; only the open source free tier and usage based inference credits are self serve, as of August 2026.

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

Cline

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Cline review.

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 Cline if

Nothing in the data separates Cline from Linear on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Cline 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 Cline or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Cline starts at On request and Linear at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cline or Linear?
Linear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Cline and Free for Linear.
Does Cline or Linear run on more platforms?
Cline runs on Web. Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Linear for free?
Yes. Linear has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cline starts at On request.
What can Cline do that Linear cannot?
Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints).
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