Softwr

Project Management · head to head

Hive vs Linear

Hive logo

Hive

Project Management

Project management built for speed

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: Hive the free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
  • They diverge on capability: Hive covers Tasks, Linear covers Fast, real-time sync.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hive and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Hive and Linear differ
AttributeHiveLinear
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
CategoryProject ManagementTechnology
Founded20152019

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 Hive

  • Tasks
  • Gantt view
  • Kanban
  • Time tracking
  • Forms
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox

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

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Hive

  • Project and task management with multiple project viewsnot Linear
  • Coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teamsnot Linear

Linear

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

Where each one falls short

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

Hive

  • The free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • The Starter plan at $5 per user per month is limited to 10 projects
  • Eight capabilities are sold as $5 per user add ons on the Teams plan, including CRM, timesheets, proofing, resourcing, advanced dashboards, external users and SSO
  • Buying SSO plus a few of those add ons therefore costs more than the $12 base seat itself
  • AI credits are metered monthly at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 by 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

Hive

On request
  • FreeFree
    • Basic features
    • 10 users
  • Teams$12/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Time tracking
    • Automations

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 Hive if

  • You need tasks.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want gantt view.
Hive 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 Hive or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Hive 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, Hive or Linear?
Linear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Hive and Free for Linear.
Does Hive or Linear run on more platforms?
Hive runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. 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. Hive starts at On request.
What is Hive best used for?
Hive is most often used for project and task management with multiple project views, coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teams. Of those, project and task management with multiple project views and coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teams are not what Linear is typically brought in for.
What can Hive do that Linear cannot?
Hive covers Tasks, Gantt view, Kanban, Time tracking. Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). Both handle Slack.
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