Linear and Todoist both track work, but they aim at different jobs. Linear is a polished issue tracker built for software teams; Todoist is a fast personal task manager that stretches to small teams. On price they’re closer than you’d expect — the real question is which model fits how you work.
Pricing Overview
Linear Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price (Annual) | Right For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Individuals, small projects |
| Basic | $8/user/mo | Small teams |
| Business | $14/user/mo | Growing product teams |
| Enterprise | Custom | Large organizations |
Todoist Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price (Annual) | Price (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 |
| Pro | $5/user/mo | $7/user/mo |
| Business | $8/user/mo | $10/user/mo |
The headline: Todoist is cheaper at every tier. Todoist Business ($8/user) matches Linear’s entry Basic plan, and Todoist Pro ($5) is the cheapest paid option of all.
The Real Difference: Issue Tracker vs Task Manager
Linear is purpose-built for software development: issues, sprints/cycles, roadmaps, Git integration, and a famously fast UI. Even its Basic plan assumes you’re running engineering workflows. You pay for structure designed around shipping product.
Todoist is a focused task manager — projects, due dates, labels, filters. It’s brilliant for personal productivity and lightweight team task lists, but it has no concept of sprints, cycles, or engineering roadmaps.
The honest framing: this isn’t “cheaper vs pricier version of the same thing.” It’s what kind of work are you tracking? Code and product → Linear. Tasks and to-dos → Todoist.
Cost Scenario: Solo vs 10-Person Team
Solo user:
- Todoist Pro: $5/month
- Linear Free: $0 (the free plan is genuinely usable solo)
For an individual, Linear’s free tier or Todoist Pro both work — Linear free is fine for a solo developer, Todoist Pro for a power task-manager.
Team of 10:
- Todoist Business: 10 × $8 = $80/month
- Linear Basic: 10 × $8 = $80/month
- Linear Business: 10 × $14 = $140/month
At the entry tier the two cost exactly the same ($80) — so price isn’t the deciding factor. Choose on fit: an engineering team gets far more from Linear Basic; a team that just needs shared task lists gets it cheaper and simpler from Todoist.
Free Plan Comparison
- Linear Free: Generous for small teams — unlimited members on limited issues, core issue tracking, GitHub/GitLab integration.
- Todoist Free: 5 personal projects, recurring dates, 3 filters. Great solo, tight for teams.
Linear’s free plan is unusually capable for a small dev team; Todoist’s is best as a personal starting point.
Verdict
Choose Linear if you’re a software or product team — issues, cycles, and roadmaps are worth the price, and its free plan is strong for small teams.
Choose Todoist if you want an affordable, fast task manager for yourself or a non-engineering team. Pro at $5 is the cheapest serious option here.
See full details in our Linear pricing guide and Todoist pricing guide. Comparing more options? See Todoist vs ClickUp pricing and Coda vs Linear pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Todoist cheaper than Linear? Todoist Pro ($5/user) is cheaper than any Linear paid plan, but Linear Basic and Todoist Business cost the same at $8/user/month.
What’s the difference between Linear and Todoist? Linear is an engineering issue tracker with sprints and roadmaps; Todoist is a personal/team task manager. They track different kinds of work.
Which has the better free plan? For small dev teams, Linear’s free plan is more capable. For solo personal use, Todoist Free is the better fit.
Can Todoist replace Linear for a dev team? Not really — Todoist lacks sprints, cycles, and engineering roadmaps. It’s a task list, not an issue tracker.