Soft.xyz is an independent, data-driven platform that compares 232+ developer tools across 69 categories by real metrics — GitHub activity, npm downloads, actual pricing, DX scores, and community sentiment. Unlike pay-to-play review sites, every ranking on Soft.xyz is based on publicly verifiable data pulled from GitHub, npm, and official pricing pages.

How does Soft.xyz collect data?

Soft.xyz pulls data from public APIs including GitHub (stars, forks, commits, open issues, last commit date), npm (weekly download counts), and official pricing pages. Community sentiment data comes from Reddit and Hacker News mention tracking. All metrics are refreshed weekly and timestamped so you can see exactly when data was last updated.

Is Soft.xyz free to use?

Yes, Soft.xyz is completely free to use. All tool pages, comparisons, benchmarks, DX scores, pricing analysis, and category rankings are available at no cost. For teams that need a deeper analysis, we offer a paid Stack Audit report ($199) that evaluates your entire tech stack with personalized recommendations. An API is also available for programmatic access to our dataset.

How many tools does Soft.xyz track?

Soft.xyz tracks 232 developer tools across 69 categories including databases, hosting, authentication, payments, analytics, CI/CD, monitoring, search, CMS, and more. Each tool page includes real-time GitHub metrics, npm download counts, pricing breakdowns, and side-by-side comparisons with alternatives in the same category.

Best Linear Alternatives

Reviewed byRoman K

3 alternatives to Linear in Issue Tracking, compared by pricing, DX grade, security, and vendor lock-in.

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Linear

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Issue tracking for modern teams

Pricing: freemium, from $8/mo

GitHub Issues + Projects

Code-adjacent teams, no context switching

Price vs Linear

Free with GitHub

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Medium (4/10)

Plane

Open source Linear alternative, self-hosted

Price vs Linear

Free self-hosted

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Low (1/10)

Height

Task automation, AI-powered, Slack-native

Price vs Linear

Free tier, then $8/seat

DX Grade

Security

Lock-in Risk

Medium (3/10)

FAQ

What are the best Linear alternatives in 2026?

The top alternatives to Linear are GitHub Issues + Projects, Plane, Height. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Linear?

Several Linear alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: GitHub Issues + Projects (Free with GitHub), Plane (Free self-hosted), Height (Free tier, then $8/seat).

How many Linear alternatives are tracked here?

3 in the Issue Tracking category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.

Full Linear Profile →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Linear alternatives in 2026?▾

The top alternatives to Linear are GitHub Issues + Projects, Plane, Height. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Linear?▾

Several Linear alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: GitHub Issues + Projects (Free with GitHub), Plane (Free self-hosted), Height (Free tier, then $8/seat).

How many Linear alternatives are tracked here?▾

3 in the Issue Tracking category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.