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Software · head to head

Harvest vs Linear

Harvest logo

Harvest

Software

Time tracking software for teams that care about where their time goes

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: Harvest the free plan is one seat and two projects, so it suits a solo freelancer and nothing larger; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
  • They diverge on capability: Harvest covers Time tracking, Linear covers Fast, real-time sync.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Harvest and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Harvest and Linear differ
AttributeHarvestLinear
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Founded20062019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Harvest

  • Time tracking
  • Expense tracking
  • Invoicing
  • Project budgets
  • Team capacity
  • Detailed reports
  • Mobile apps
  • Browser extension

Only in Linear

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

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Slack
  • GDPR
  • 2FA

What people use each for

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

Harvest

  • Time tracking against projects and clientsnot Linear
  • Turning tracked time into invoicesnot Linear
  • Expense capture alongside billable hoursnot Linear
  • Team capacity and utilisation reporting on the paid plansnot Linear
  • Feeding billed time into QuickBooks or Xeronot Linear

Linear

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

Where each one falls short

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

Harvest

  • The free plan is one seat and two projects, so it suits a solo freelancer and nothing larger
  • Team reporting and unlimited projects require the Teams plan at $9 per seat per month
  • Profitability reporting, timesheet approvals and custom reports need Enterprise at $14 per seat per month
  • SAML single sign-on is Enterprise only
  • QuickBooks, Xero and Stripe integrations are withheld from the free plan

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

Harvest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Harvest 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 Harvest if

  • You need time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want expense tracking.
Harvest 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 Harvest or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Harvest 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, Harvest or Linear?
Harvest starts at Free and Linear at Free.
Does Harvest or Linear run on more platforms?
Harvest runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Harvest for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Harvest best used for?
Harvest is most often used for time tracking against projects and clients, turning tracked time into invoices, expense capture alongside billable hours, team capacity and utilisation reporting on the paid plans. Of those, time tracking against projects and clients and turning tracked time into invoices are not what Linear is typically brought in for.
What can Harvest do that Linear cannot?
Harvest covers Time tracking, Expense tracking, Invoicing, Project budgets. Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). Both handle GitHub, Slack, GDPR, 2FA.
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