Linear vs Retool
The issue tracking tool built for modern software teams
vs. The low-code platform for internal tools, workflows, and AI agents
Pricing tiers
Linear
Free
$0. Unlimited members. 250 issues. Unlimited file uploads. 2 teams. Slack/GitHub integration.
Free
Basic
$8/user/mo annual ($10/mo monthly). Unlimited issues, 5 teams, admin roles, API access.
$8/mo
Business
$14/user/mo annual. Unlimited teams, Linear Insights, private teams, SSO (SAML, OIDC).
$14/mo
Enterprise
Custom. SAML, SCIM, audit logs, advanced security, HIPAA-eligible, dedicated CSM.
Custom
Retool
Free
$0. Up to 5 users. Unlimited apps + mobile. 500 workflow runs/month. 5GB DB + storage. 20 hrs/mo Agents.
Free
Team
$10/builder/mo + $5/internal user/mo. 5k workflow runs. Staging env. App releases.
$10/mo
Business
$50/builder/mo + $15/internal user/mo. Audit logs, rich permissions, portals, embedded apps, external user pricing.
$50/mo
Enterprise
Custom. SAML/OIDC SSO, source control, error monitoring, full white-labeling, volume discounts.
Custom
Free-tier quotas head-to-head
Comparing free on Linear vs free on Retool.
| Metric | Linear | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| No overlapping quota metrics for these tiers. | ||
Features
Linear · 16 features
- Asks — Slack → Linear issue from messages.
- Cycles — Auto-recurring sprints.
- Desktop App — Native macOS, Windows, Linux.
- Documents — Markdown-style shared docs.
- GitHub Sync — Auto-link PRs/commits to issues.
- GraphQL API — Full-featured public API.
- Initiatives — Multi-project strategic groupings.
- iOS + Android Apps — Native mobile clients.
- Issues — Fast CRUD + keyboard shortcuts.
- Labels + Custom Views — Filter + save views.
- Linear Insights — Built-in analytics.
- Parent + Subissues — Hierarchical task breakdown.
- Projects — Milestones + docs + updates.
- Roadmaps — Timeline view with dependencies.
- Triage — Inbox for unassigned issues.
- TypeScript SDK — @linear/sdk generated from GraphQL.
Retool · 14 features
- Apps (Web + Mobile) — Drag-drop UI builder with 100+ components.
- Audit Logs — Track every user action.
- Custom JavaScript — Write JS anywhere in app logic.
- MCP Support — Expose Retool workflows to AI agents.
- Modules — Reusable component bundles.
- Retool Agents — AI agents that use Retool queries + apps as tools.
- Retool Database — Managed Postgres with GUI + collab.
- Retool Embed — Embed apps into your SaaS.
- Retool Forms — Public forms that write to DBs.
- Retool Portals — External-facing apps for customers.
- SAML/OIDC SSO (Ent) — Enterprise auth.
- Source Control (Ent) — Git-backed version control for apps.
- White-labeling (Ent) — Full brand customization.
- Workflows — Cron + webhook-triggered automations with branching.
Developer interfaces
| Kind | Linear | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| SDK | @linear/sdk | — |
| REST | — | Retool REST API (Workflows) |
| GRAPHQL | Linear GraphQL API | — |
| MCP | Linear MCP | Retool MCP |
| OTHER | Linear Desktop App, Linear Webhooks, OAuth 2.0 | Retool Database, Retool Editor, Self-Hosted (on-prem) |
Staxly is an independent catalog of developer platforms. Some links to Linear and Retool may be affiliate links — Staxly may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Pricing is verified against vendor pages at publication time — reconfirm before buying.
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