Software · head to head
Shortcut vs Linear
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Shortcut limited reporting compared to Jira; Linear no task-level Gantt chart; Timeline view is available for projects only, not individual issues
- They diverge on capability: Shortcut covers Stories & epics, Linear covers Fast, real-time sync.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Shortcut and Linear actually diverge.
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 Shortcut
- Stories & epics
- Iterations (sprints)
- Kanban boards
- Roadmaps
- Reporting
- Docs
- Mobile apps
- Datadog
Only in Linear
- Fast, real-time sync
- Keyboard-first design
- Automatic issue tracking
- Cycles (sprints)
- Projects & milestones
- Custom workflows
- Built-in roadmaps
- Discord
Both cover
- API & webhooks
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Slack
- Figma
- Sentry
- Zapier
- SOC2
- GDPR
- SSO
- 2FA
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Shortcut
- Sprint planningnot Linear
- Bug trackingnot Linear
- Feature developmentnot Linear
- Product roadmappingnot Linear
- Team collaborationnot Linear
Linear
- Issue management and triage, converting customer feedback into prioritized issuesnot Shortcut
- Strategic planning via initiatives, roadmaps, and PRDs from idea to launchnot Shortcut
- Agent-assisted development, with agents drafting docs and submitting pull requestsnot Shortcut
- Code review with structural diffs for human and agent outputnot Shortcut
- Progress monitoring via dashboards tracking cycle times and project healthnot Shortcut
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Shortcut
- Limited reporting compared to Jira
- Designed specifically for software teams, not general project management
- Can experience slow loading times with very large projects
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
Shortcut
Free- FreeFree
- Kanban boards
- Sprints
- Roadmaps
- Team$8.5/user/month
- Unlimited users
- Advanced reports
- WIP limits
- Business$12/user/month
- Unlimited workspaces
- OKRs
- Advanced custom fields
- Enterprise$null/custom
- Volume discounts
- SSO/SCIM
- Premier 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 Shortcut if
- You need stories & epics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
- You also want iterations (sprints).
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Shortcut or Linear better?
- Neither clearly leads. Shortcut 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, Shortcut or Linear?
- Shortcut starts at Free and Linear at Free.
- Does Shortcut or Linear run on more platforms?
- Shortcut runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux. Linear runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use Shortcut for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Shortcut best used for?
- Shortcut is most often used for sprint planning, bug tracking, feature development, product roadmapping. Of those, sprint planning and bug tracking are not what Linear is typically brought in for.
- What can Shortcut do that Linear cannot?
- Shortcut covers Stories & epics, Iterations (sprints), Kanban boards, Roadmaps. Linear covers Fast, real-time sync, Keyboard-first design, Automatic issue tracking, Cycles (sprints). Both handle API & webhooks, GitHub, GitLab, Slack.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Shortcut: Does Shortcut have a free plan?
Yes, Shortcut offers a free plan for up to 10 users with core features like kanban boards, roadmaps, sprints, and reports. Paid plans start at $8.50 per user per month.
SourceShortcut: Does Shortcut integrate with GitHub?
Yes, Shortcut has native GitHub integration that automatically syncs pull requests and commits to stories, and includes GitLab and Bitbucket support as well.
SourceShortcut: Can I use Shortcut for non-technical projects?
Shortcut is built for software teams, though you can customize workflows for other use cases. Linear and Asana may be better suited for non-technical project management.
SourceShortcut: Does Shortcut support SSO and SCIM?
Yes, SSO and SCIM support are available on the Enterprise plan, allowing centralized identity management for large organizations.
SourceShortcut: What's the difference between Shortcut and Jira?
Shortcut is lighter and faster with less setup required, while Jira offers deeper customization and enterprise features. Shortcut works better for modern software teams wanting simplicity; Jira suits enterprises needing extensive configuration.
Source