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Software · head to head

Lever vs Linear

Lever logo

Lever

Software

Talent acquisition suite built for collaboration

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: Lever customized pricing requires sales contact, no public pricing; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
  • They diverge on capability: Lever covers Applicant Tracking, Linear covers Fast, real-time sync.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lever and Linear actually diverge.

Attributes where Lever and Linear differ
AttributeLeverLinear
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Founded20122019

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 Lever

  • Applicant Tracking
  • Candidate CRM
  • Sourcing
  • Interview Management
  • Analytics
  • Offer Management
  • LinkedIn
  • Indeed

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.

Lever

  • Applicant tracking from sourcing through offernot Linear
  • Building and nurturing talent pipelines of passive candidatesnot Linear
  • Automating interview scheduling, follow-ups and offer lettersnot Linear
  • Reporting on hiring performance across sourcesnot Linear
  • Screening at volume with AI ranking and recommendationsnot Linear

Linear

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lever

  • Customized pricing requires sales contact, no public pricing
  • Premium features like advanced CRM functionality require additional fees
  • Implementation requires some technical configuration

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

Lever

On request
  • LeverTRM$undefined/month
    • ATS
    • CRM
    • Sourcing
  • LeverTRM for Enterprise$undefined/month
    • All LeverTRM features
    • Advanced Security
    • Dedicated Support

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 Lever if

  • You need applicant tracking.
  • You also want candidate crm.
Lever 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 Lever or Linear better?
Neither clearly leads. Lever 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, Lever or Linear?
Linear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Lever and Free for Linear.
Does Lever or Linear run on more platforms?
Lever 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. Lever starts at On request.
What is Lever best used for?
Lever is most often used for applicant tracking from sourcing through offer, building and nurturing talent pipelines of passive candidates, automating interview scheduling, follow-ups and offer letters, reporting on hiring performance across sources. Of those, applicant tracking from sourcing through offer and building and nurturing talent pipelines of passive candidates are not what Linear is typically brought in for.
What can Lever do that Linear cannot?
Lever covers Applicant Tracking, Candidate CRM, Sourcing, Interview Management. Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). Both handle Slack.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lever: What is Lever used for?

Lever is modern recruiting software that centralizes recruiting into a single system for sourcing candidates, managing applications, scheduling interviews, collaborating with hiring managers, automating workflows, and measuring hiring performance.

Source
Lever: Does Lever include both ATS and CRM?

Yes. Lever integrates comprehensive Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) functionalities within a single offering called LeverTRM, with features like AI-powered screening and interview transcripts.

Source
Lever: What integrations does Lever support?

Lever integrates with 300+ tools including Slack for notifications, Zoom for interviews, calendar applications for scheduling, background check services, job boards, and leading HRIS platforms for talent management workflows.

Source
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Related pages

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