Linear vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Linear
Linear is a modern project management tool built for high-performance software teams. It is known for its speed, keyboard-first interface, and opinionated workflows that help engineering teams move fast. Linear has become popular with startups and tech companies as a modern alternative to Jira that prioritizes developer experience.
Employment Hero
Employment Hero is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand. It offers a free HR plan alongside paid payroll and benefits modules, making it accessible for businesses at any stage. Employment Hero also operates a job marketplace called Swag for employees.
Pros
- ✓Incredibly fast and responsive interface
- ✓Keyboard-first design loved by developers
- ✓Clean and modern interface with no clutter
- ✓Strong GitHub and GitLab integration for engineering workflows
Cons
- ✗Built specifically for software teams — limited use for non-technical projects
- ✗Less feature-rich than Jira for complex enterprise workflows
- ✗Smaller integration ecosystem than established tools
- ✗Limited reporting compared to enterprise tools
Pros
- ✓Free HR plan available with core employee management features
- ✓Strong compliance tools for Australian and NZ employment law
- ✓All-in-one platform covering HR, payroll, and benefits
- ✓Employee benefits marketplace with discounts and perks
Cons
- ✗Payroll module costs extra and is best suited for AU/NZ companies
- ✗Limited support and compliance coverage outside Australia and New Zealand
- ✗Some users report the platform can feel complex to navigate
Linear vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | Linear | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Linear Features
- ✓Issue tracking
- ✓sprint cycles
- ✓roadmaps
- ✓GitHub and GitLab integration
- ✓keyboard shortcuts
- ✓API access
- ✓automations
- ✓project insights
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Linear if high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Also Consider
If neither Linear nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Linear and Employment Hero?
Linear is best for high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, Linear or Employment Hero?
Choose Linear if high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does Linear cost?
Linear starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Linear?
High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite