CircleCI vs Linear: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of CircleCI and Linear. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Linear starts at $10/mo, making it $5/mo cheaper than CircleCI ($15/mo). CircleCI offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
CircleCI vs Linear: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | CircleCI | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $10/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Linear is the more affordable option, starting at $10/mo compared to CircleCI's $15/mo. Both are Dev Tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 25 features compared.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget. CircleCI uses usage-based pricing while Linear uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Dev Tools needs.
| Pricing Plans |  CircleCI Try it free |  Linear Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest | Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Performance $15/month | Basic $10/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Scale Custom pricing | BusinessPopular $16/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 4 | — | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
|
Swipe to compare plans →
What Reviewers Say
Linear
Linear offers a free plan, starts at $5/mo lower ($10/mo vs $15/mo), offers 4 tiers vs 3.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Linear
Try Linear freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose CircleCI if:
- •You prefer CircleCI's free tier features—features
- •You prioritize CircleCI's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •You need predictable billing — CircleCI's usage-based model avoids surprise overages
Choose Linear if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Linear starts at $10/mo, saving $5/mo compared to CircleCI at $15/mo
- •You prefer Linear's free tier features—Unlimited members, 2 teams
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Linear offers 25 additional features across its plans
Both CircleCI and Linear offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: CircleCI includes multiple features, while Linear includes 5 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: CircleCI vs Linear
Which is cheaper, CircleCI or Linear?
How many pricing plans does CircleCI have vs Linear?
Does CircleCI or Linear offer a free plan?
What is the most popular Linear plan?
Does CircleCI or Linear offer custom enterprise pricing?
What pricing models do CircleCI and Linear use?
How do CircleCI and Linear compare for Dev Tools?
Sources
- CircleCI Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Linear Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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