Linear vs Smartsheet
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.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a work management platform that combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with powerful project management and collaboration features. It is widely used by enterprise teams for project tracking, resource management, and automated workflows. Smartsheet is particularly popular with teams comfortable with Excel who need more collaboration and automation capabilities.
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
- ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve for Excel users
- ✓Powerful automation and workflow capabilities
- ✓Strong enterprise security and compliance features
- ✓Excellent for managing large portfolios of projects
Cons
- ✗Pricing is higher than many competitors
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
- ✗No free plan — 30-day trial only
- ✗Less intuitive for teams unfamiliar with spreadsheet-style tools
Linear vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | Linear | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Linear Features
- ✓Issue tracking
- ✓sprint cycles
- ✓roadmaps
- ✓GitHub and GitLab integration
- ✓keyboard shortcuts
- ✓API access
- ✓automations
- ✓project insights
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Linear if high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
How Linear and Smartsheet Are Similar
- •Both are Project Management platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Linear nor Smartsheet 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 Smartsheet?
Linear is best for high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, Linear or Smartsheet?
Choose Linear if high-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to jira. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does Linear cost?
Linear starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Linear?
High-performance software and engineering teams wanting a fast, modern alternative to Jira
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation