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Software · head to head

Factory vs Linear

F

Factory

Software

The autonomy stack for enterprise teams

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Linear logo

Linear

Software

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: Factory the $100 per month Plus tier only grants about 5 times the usage of the $20 Pro tier, so usage scales sub-linearly with price, 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 Factory and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Factory and Linear differ
AttributeFactoryLinear
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown2019

Identical on both: 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 Factory

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.

Factory

No use cases recorded yet. See the Factory review.

Linear

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

Where each one falls short

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

Factory

  • The $100 per month Plus tier only grants about 5 times the usage of the $20 Pro tier, so usage scales sub-linearly with price, 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

Factory

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Factory 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 Factory if

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

Factory 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 Factory or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Factory 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, Factory or Linear?
Linear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Factory and Free for Linear.
Does Factory or Linear run on more platforms?
Factory 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. Factory starts at On request.
What can Factory do that Linear cannot?
Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints).
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