Linear vs ZenHub

March 10, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
9
Linear
Linear is a purpose-built tool for modern product development. Streamline issues, projects, and product roadmaps.
5
ZenHub
Agile Project Management inside GitHub. ZenHub is more than “integrated”: it runs natively in GitHub’s interface. Stop context switching with third-party tools and unite your team where they already work: GitHub.

Linear and ZenHub are much alike in their quest to organize the chaos of software development. Both are tools designed to corral the wild herd of tasks and tickets, transforming the digital wilderness into something resembling order. They sit comfortably within GitHub’s sprawling kingdom, helping developers steer their projects through the fog of bugs and feature requests. They both come equipped with agile management features—sprints, epics, boards—everything you need to pretend your workflow isn't an endless loop of despair.

However, if you venture into the realm of Linear, you’ll discover a slightly different creature. Born in 2020, this lean and mean tool is a product of the United States, designed with a peculiar focus on speed and simplicity. It will have you dashing through tasks with a swiftness that might leave you wondering if you’ve ever actually read a single ticket. Linear’s interface is like a quiet, minimalist room—clean and effortless—where you might get so caught up in its swift task management that you forget what day it is. It plays nicely with GitHub, GitLab and Slack, ensuring you're never far from your next task.

Now, ZenHub, which first appeared in 2015 from the cold, contemplative land of Canada, offers a slightly different approach. It’s more of a deep dive into GitHub’s ecosystem, snugly nestled within the interface itself, so you don’t have to leave the warm, familiar embrace of GitHub. With a range of features designed to measure and analyze the entire project journey, ZenHub turns task tracking into a sport. It's a little more detailed, a little more robust and much more inclined to show you exactly how long it will take to burn down your project's to-do list—just in case you weren’t already aware that time is a precious commodity.

See also: Top 10 Issue Trackers
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email [email protected]