Linear vs Microsoft Project
Compare Linear and Microsoft Project on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Linear
Modern issue tracker for product/engineering teams — Free limited; Basic from ~$8/user/mo annual.
Best for
- • Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX
- • Startups replacing Jira complexity
- • Issue-centric software delivery
Starting from $8.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Linear and Microsoft Project. Choose Linear when Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX. Choose Microsoft Project when Microsoft 365 standardised orgs. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Linear is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ AI features
Microsoft Project is better for
- ✓ Integrations
- ✓ Reporting
Tie
- • Timeline / Gantt
- • Collaboration
Choose Linear if: Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX
Choose Microsoft Project if: Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
Microsoft Project
Microsoft 365 project / Planner ladder for Gantt, resources and portfolios — Planner Plan 1 from ~$10/user/mo.
Best for
- • Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- • Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- • Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free plan
Linear vs Microsoft Project at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Linear
Microsoft Project
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Linear
Microsoft Project
- Free planLinear
Linear
Microsoft Project
- Ease of useLinear
Linear
Microsoft Project
- Timeline / GanttTie
Linear
Microsoft Project
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Linear
Best for free plan
Linear researches a free plan; Microsoft Project does not research a free plan.
- → Linear
Best for ease of use
Linear leads on ease of use (9/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Linear
Best for automations
Linear leads on automations (7/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for integrations
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (8/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for reporting
Microsoft Project leads on reporting (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsLinear
Linear researched starting price from $8/mo; a free plan is researched; Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Microsoft Project
Linear researched starting price from $8/mo; a free plan is researched; Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsLinear
Check paid seat floors for Linear and Microsoft Project on current vendor packaging.
Microsoft Project
Check paid seat floors for Linear and Microsoft Project on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
TieLinear
Linear and Microsoft Project are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project
Linear and Microsoft Project are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Automations
Linear winsLinear
Linear leads on automations (7/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project
Trails Linear on this criterion
Integrations
Microsoft Project winsLinear
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (8/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
Microsoft Project winsLinear
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on reporting (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Which should you choose?
Choose Linear if
- Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX
- Startups replacing Jira complexity
- Issue-centric software delivery
Choose Microsoft Project if
- Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Jira
Atlassian Agile issue tracker for software teams — Free ≤10; Standard from ~$8.15/user/mo annual.
ClickUp
All-in-one configurable Work OS (tasks, docs, dashboards, ClickUp Brain) — Unlimited from $7/user/mo annual.
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
Still deciding between Linear and Microsoft Project?
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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