Asana vs Linear: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Asana vs Linear.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Linear edges ahead with a 4.9/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Asana | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $0/mo | $40/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $0/mo | $80/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ Up to 10 users. Unlimited tasks and projects. Basic dashboards. No timeline or Gantt views. | ✅ Unlimited members. 2 teams max. 250 issues. Slack and GitHub integration. AI agents included. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Asana | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Starter | $13.49/mo | $8/mo |
| Advanced | $30.49/mo | $14/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Asana | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Pros & Cons
Asana
✅ Pros
- Free tier supports up to 10 users — generous for small teams
- Clean, focused UI that's easy to learn
- Unlimited tasks and projects on free tier
- Good workflow automation on paid plans
- Strong portfolio/multi-project views for managers
❌ Cons
- No timeline/Gantt view on free tier
- Paid plans are expensive ($13.49/user/mo)
- No built-in time tracking
- Not designed for software development workflows
- Limited customization compared to ClickUp or Notion
Linear
✅ Pros
- Blazingly fast UI — feels instant even with thousands of issues
- Keyboard-first design loved by developers
- Built-in AI agents for auto-triage and workflows
- Excellent GitHub and Slack integration out of the box
- Free tier includes unlimited members (rare)
❌ Cons
- Free tier capped at 250 issues — fills up fast for active projects
- Limited document/wiki features — need Notion or similar alongside
- No built-in time tracking
- Not ideal for non-engineering teams (marketing, ops)
- Fewer integrations than ClickUp or Monday
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Asana if...
- You are a small teams (up to 10) wanting free pm with unlimited tasks
- You are a cross-functional teams (marketing + product + design)
- You are a teams transitioning from spreadsheets to pm tools
🚫 Skip if...
- Software engineering teams (use Linear)
- Solo devs (overkill for individual use)
- Teams needing Gantt charts on a budget
✅ Choose Linear if...
- You are a software engineering teams (2-20 people)
- You are a solo devs who want a fast, opinionated tracker
- You are a teams using github-centric workflows
🚫 Skip if...
- Non-technical teams (marketing, HR)
- Teams needing built-in docs/wiki
- Large organizations needing extensive customization
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Asana (4.5/5) and Linear (4.9/5) are excellent tools in their category. Linear takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asana better than Linear?
It depends on your needs. Asana excels in some areas while Linear has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Asana pricing compare to Linear?
Asana starts at Free / $13.49/mo, while Linear starts at Free / $8/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Asana to Linear?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Linear typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Asana.
Which is easier to use, Asana or Linear?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
Join 500+ Solo Developers
Get monthly curated stacks, detailed tool comparisons, and solo dev tips delivered to your inbox. No spam, ever.