Linear vs Smartsheet
Compare Linear and Smartsheet 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 Smartsheet. Choose Linear when Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX. Choose Smartsheet when Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs. 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
- ✓ AI features
- ✓ Value for money
Smartsheet is better for
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ Reporting
Tie
- • Timeline / Gantt
- • Collaboration
- • Integrations
Choose Linear if: Product/engineering teams wanting modern UX
Choose Smartsheet if: Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
Best for
- • Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- • Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- • Structured program reporting
Starting from $9.00/user/mo
No free plan
Linear vs Smartsheet 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
Smartsheet
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Linear
Smartsheet
- Free planLinear
Linear
Smartsheet
- Ease of useLinear
Linear
Smartsheet
- Timeline / GanttTie
Linear
Smartsheet
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; Smartsheet does not research a free plan.
- → Linear
Best for ease of use
Linear leads on ease of use (9/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Linear
Best for ai features
Linear leads on ai features (7/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for automations
Smartsheet leads on automations (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for reporting
Smartsheet leads on reporting (7/10 vs 9/10) 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; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Smartsheet
Linear researched starting price from $8/mo; a free plan is researched; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsLinear
Check paid seat floors for Linear and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Smartsheet
Check paid seat floors for Linear and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
TieLinear
Linear and Smartsheet are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Smartsheet
Linear and Smartsheet are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Automations
Smartsheet winsLinear
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on automations (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Integrations
TieLinear
Linear and Smartsheet are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Smartsheet
Linear and Smartsheet are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
Smartsheet winsLinear
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on reporting (7/10 vs 9/10) 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 Smartsheet if
- Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- Structured program reporting
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.
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
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 Smartsheet?
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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