Linear

Linear is purpose-built for high-velocity software teams and indie developers. It prioritizes speed (instant search, blazing-fast UI), developer experience (keyboard shortcuts for power users, GitHub integration, API-first architecture), and simplicity over feature bloat. The issue tracking workflow—backlog → sprints → shipped—is laser-focused on engineering teams, eliminating the customization complexity that makes Jira overwhelming for small teams. Linear's minimalist approach and clean aesthetics attract founders and technical indie hackers who value efficiency.\n\nFor indie hackers and early-stage startups, Linear's free tier is generous: unlimited members and 250 issues. Paid plans start at just $10/user/month for unlimited issues and advanced features like Insights (analytics) and integrations with Intercom and Zendesk. The platform's 4.5/5 G2 rating reflects consistent praise for its ease of setup, intuitive workflows, and exceptional customer support. However, indie hackers should note that Linear lacks a built-in Wiki—you'll need Notion or Confluence for documentation, adding to total cost of ownership.