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Linear vs PlanetScale

Linear logo

Linear

Technology

The issue tracking tool you'll enjoy using

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanetScale logo

PlanetScale

Database & Data Management

The MySQL-compatible serverless database

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linear has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues; PlanetScale eBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • They diverge on capability: Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, PlanetScale covers Database Branching.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linear and PlanetScale actually diverge.

Attributes where Linear and PlanetScale differ
AttributeLinearPlanetScale
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsCloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure)
CategoryTechnologyDatabase & Data Management
Founded20192018

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 Linear

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

Only in PlanetScale

  • Database Branching
  • Non-blocking Schema Changes
  • Insights
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • Connection Pooling
  • Query Caching
  • Automatic Backups
  • Global Replication

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

Linear

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

PlanetScale

  • MySQL database hosting with automatic failover and replicationnot Linear
  • Vitess-based sharding for horizontal scaling across large datasetsnot Linear
  • Cloud provider flexibility across AWS, GCP, Azure with 60+ regionsnot Linear
  • Cost-effective database clusters using ARM64 architecture optionsnot Linear

Where each one falls short

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

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

PlanetScale

  • EBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • EBS Non-HA single-node option lacks redundancy and automatic failover
  • Pricing varies by cloud provider and region, requiring queries for specific rates
  • ARM64 architecture only available on EBS tier, not Metal deployments

Pricing, plan by plan

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

PlanetScale

$15/month

No published plan breakdown. See the PlanetScale review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose PlanetScale if

  • You need database branching.
  • You work on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
  • You also want non-blocking schema changes.
PlanetScale review

Questions people ask

Is Linear or PlanetScale better?
Neither clearly leads. Linear starts at Free and PlanetScale at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linear or PlanetScale?
Linear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linear and $15/month for PlanetScale.
Does Linear or PlanetScale run on more platforms?
Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. PlanetScale runs on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
Can I use Linear for free?
Yes. Linear has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PlanetScale starts at $15/month.
What is Linear best used for?
Linear is most often used for issue management and triage, converting customer feedback into prioritized issues, strategic planning via initiatives, roadmaps, and prds from idea to launch, agent-assisted development, with agents drafting docs and submitting pull requests, code review with structural diffs for human and agent output. Of those, issue management and triage, converting customer feedback into prioritized issues and strategic planning via initiatives, roadmaps, and prds from idea to launch are not what PlanetScale is typically brought in for.
What can Linear do that PlanetScale cannot?
Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). PlanetScale covers Database Branching, Non-blocking Schema Changes, Insights, Horizontal Scaling. Both handle SOC2, GDPR.
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