Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Linear · 🛠️ dev tools
Linear vs Huly
Issues, docs and chat in one stack; the hosted service is closing, so this means self-hosting. Here is how Huly ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Linear ($10/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Linear vs Huly Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Linear (Paid) | Huly (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $10 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $120 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $120) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $600 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $600) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,200 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,200) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source EPL-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 27k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Linear to Huly
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Huly is a much broader and heavier workspace that now requires self-hosting, and it does not match Linear's speed, keyboard discipline, issue triage, or mature integration reliability.
How to deploy Huly
Run the official Huly Selfhost Docker Compose stack on Linux, using its setup script plus Nginx/TLS for production
What it takes to run
The first obstacle is the production-sized stack: Linux, Docker Compose, Nginx and certificates plus CockroachDB, Redpanda, Elasticsearch, storage volumes, backups, and enough RAM.
Where your data lives
The self-host stack uses CockroachDB for account/workspace data, Elasticsearch for search indexes, Redpanda for event streams, and persistent volumes for uploaded files; optional services may add MongoDB. The public hosted Huly service announced its shutdown, so new use means self-hosting.
Why fork Huly instead of vibe-coding a Linear clone?
The object model is small: issues, states, labels, cycles, projects. A keyboard-first single-player tracker with a board, cycles, and one-way GitHub sync is a weekend build. What does not survive the copy is the sync engine, real-time multiplayer, and the integration surface (GitHub two-way, Slack, Figma, Sentry) that make Linear the place a team actually agrees on what is being built.
Linear vs Huly FAQ
Is Huly a good free alternative to Linear?+
Yes. Huly is a verified open-source (EPL-2.0) replacement for Linear. Issues, docs and chat in one stack; the hosted service is closing, so this means self-hosting.
What is the catch when switching from Linear to Huly?+
Huly is a much broader and heavier workspace that now requires self-hosting, and it does not match Linear's speed, keyboard discipline, issue triage, or mature integration reliability.
How much do you save switching from Linear to Huly?+
Linear costs $10/mo ($120/yr) per seat, whereas Huly is $0/mo. Switching saves $120/yr for a solo user, $600/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,200/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Huly instead of Linear?+
Install: Run the official Huly Selfhost Docker Compose stack on Linux, using its setup script plus Nginx/TLS for production. Setup: The first obstacle is the production-sized stack: Linux, Docker Compose, Nginx and certificates plus CockroachDB, Redpanda, Elasticsearch, storage volumes, backups, and enough RAM.
