Compare · AURORA vs Linear
AURORA vs Linear — when premium opinionated isn't quite the right shape
Linear set the bar for fast, beautiful PM in 2020 and has held it. We respect it deeply. AURORA differs on three things: open-core (you can self-host), mobile-first (Linear remains desktop-first), and we go deeper into GitHub-as-source-of-truth instead of mirroring it.
AURORA
AURORA: Free 3 users / Pro €9 / Team €19. Self-host AGPL free / Commercial €5/user/month.
Linear
Linear: Free 10 users, Standard $10/user/month, Plus $14, Enterprise on quote. No self-host. Mobile app exists but desktop-first DNA.
Feature by feature
Speed / UX polish
OtherAURORASub-100ms target — close, but Linear has a 6-year head start
LinearIndustry reference. Cmd+K, optimistic UI everywhere
Mobile-first PWA
AURORAAURORABuilt for the phone first
LinearDesktop-first, mobile is a thinned-out view
GitHub depth
AURORAAURORANative: issues = source of truth, auto-status from PRs, auto-changelog from merges
LinearStrong sync, but Linear is the source of truth (not GitHub)
Self-host
AURORAAURORAAGPL Community Edition, free; Commercial €5/u/mo
LinearNo, cloud only
Open-source
AURORAAURORAAGPL CE — auditable, forkable
LinearClosed
AI included
TieAURORAIncluded with quotas, never an add-on
LinearIncluded in all plans (Linear got this right)
Cycles / sprints
OtherAURORANative cycles with auto-rollover
LinearBest-in-class — invented the modern pattern
Triage inbox
TieAURORABuilt in, weekly digest
LinearYes — Linear's reference feature
Pricing transparency
TieAURORASingle page, no min seats
LinearSingle page, no min seats
Client view (read-only share)
TieAURORAYes, no GitHub account needed for guests
LinearYes (Customer Requests, Linear for Agents)
| Feature | AURORA | Linear | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed / UX polish | Sub-100ms target — close, but Linear has a 6-year head start | Industry reference. Cmd+K, optimistic UI everywhere | Other |
| Mobile-first PWA | Built for the phone first | Desktop-first, mobile is a thinned-out view | AURORA |
| GitHub depth | Native: issues = source of truth, auto-status from PRs, auto-changelog from merges | Strong sync, but Linear is the source of truth (not GitHub) | AURORA |
| Self-host | AGPL Community Edition, free; Commercial €5/u/mo | No, cloud only | AURORA |
| Open-source | AGPL CE — auditable, forkable | Closed | AURORA |
| AI included | Included with quotas, never an add-on | Included in all plans (Linear got this right) | Tie |
| Cycles / sprints | Native cycles with auto-rollover | Best-in-class — invented the modern pattern | Other |
| Triage inbox | Built in, weekly digest | Yes — Linear's reference feature | Tie |
| Pricing transparency | Single page, no min seats | Single page, no min seats | Tie |
| Client view (read-only share) | Yes, no GitHub account needed for guests | Yes (Customer Requests, Linear for Agents) | Tie |
So which one is right for you?
Choose AURORA if
- ·You need self-host. AGPL Community Edition is on day one.
- ·Half your team works from a phone. AURORA's PWA is the difference.
- ·You want GitHub to remain the source of truth, not mirror it elsewhere.
- ·You're in EU and want EU-residency by default.
- ·You're a dev shop with non-technical clients who shouldn't need a GitHub account.
Choose Linear if
- ·You're a venture-backed startup that lives in the desktop browser. Linear is the gold standard.
- ·Your team values UX polish above everything and you're willing to pay for it.
- ·You want the most mature cycles / triage / projects implementation in the industry.
- ·You don't care about self-host or open-source.
- ·You're already on Linear and happy. Switching cost would outweigh the gain.
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