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Linear vs Raycast

Linear logo

Linear

Software

The issue tracking tool you'll enjoy using

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raycast logo

Raycast

Software

Blazingly fast, totally extendable launcher

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues; Raycast the free plan includes 50 Raycast AI messages, 5 notes and 3 months of clipboard history
  • They diverge on capability: Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Raycast covers Application launcher.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linear and Raycast actually diverge.

Attributes where Linear and Raycast differ
AttributeLinearRaycast
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsMacos
Founded20192020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Linear

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

Only in Raycast

  • Application launcher
  • File search
  • Clipboard history
  • Snippets
  • Window management
  • Calculator
  • System commands
  • Extension ecosystem

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Slack

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 Raycast
  • Strategic planning via initiatives, roadmaps, and PRDs from idea to launchnot Raycast
  • Agent-assisted development, with agents drafting docs and submitting pull requestsnot Raycast
  • Code review with structural diffs for human and agent outputnot Raycast
  • Progress monitoring via dashboards tracking cycle times and project healthnot Raycast

Raycast

  • App launchingnot Linear
  • Quick calculationsnot Linear
  • File navigationnot Linear
  • Snippet expansionnot Linear
  • Workflow automationnot 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

Raycast

  • The free plan includes 50 Raycast AI messages, 5 notes and 3 months of clipboard history
  • Advanced AI models are sold only as an add-on to the paid Pro plan at a further $8 per month on top of the $10 subscription
  • Free team workspaces cap sharing at 30 snippets, 30 quicklinks and 5 commands across all extensions
  • Teams Pro is $15 per user per month, billed per seat rather than per workspace

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

Raycast

Free
  • PersonalFree
    • Core launcher features
    • All built-in extensions
    • Extension store access
  • Pro$8/month
    • Everything in Personal
    • AI commands
    • Cloud sync
  • Team$12/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Shared extensions
    • Team snippets

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 Raycast if

  • You need application launcher.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos.
  • You also want file search.
Raycast review

Questions people ask

Is Linear or Raycast better?
Neither clearly leads. Linear starts at Free and Raycast at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linear or Raycast?
Linear starts at Free and Raycast at Free.
Does Linear or Raycast run on more platforms?
Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Raycast runs on Macos.
Can I use Linear for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Raycast is typically brought in for.
What can Linear do that Raycast cannot?
Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). Raycast covers Application launcher, File search, Clipboard history, Snippets. Both handle GitHub, Slack.
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