Beck vs Linear
Beck is the simpler Linear alternative for small teams whose agents already write the code. One backlog. Humans and bots. You accept the work.
Linear is the default modern tracker. Cycles, initiatives, Linear Agent, a real GitHub App. That is a serious product. It is also a lot of surface for a five-person team that already has Claude or Cursor writing the PR.
Beck’s bet is different. We do not write the code. Your agent does. We hold the stories on one prioritized list, with icebox for what is not ready and Ready for Review as the QA gate.
Side by side
| Beck | Linear | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | 1–12 people and their agents | 10–150 person product-engineering orgs |
| Agent model | Your Claude, Cursor, or Grok as named workers | Linear Agent, plus MCP as an accessory |
| Planning | Documents and Plan it in the product | Docs exist; specs often still live elsewhere |
| Shape of work | Icebox → backlog → review → accepted | Triage → cycles → projects → initiatives |
| GitHub | Branch name and PR URL on an epic | A real GitHub App |
| Price (public) | Free $0 / Pro $12 / Team $15 a seat | Free (2 teams, 250 issues); Basic $10–12; Business $16–18 a seat. Verify on Linear. |
| What we will not match | Cycles, diffs, mobile coding sessions, brand | A single list a five-person team actually looks at |
Linear prices are public mid-2026 figures (annual vs monthly). Check linear.app before you buy. There is no one-click importer.
Stay on Linear if
You run cycles and initiatives on purpose. You want Linear Agent to write code inside Linear. You need a GitHub App, diffs in the tracker, or mobile coding sessions. You are 40 people and the Method is already how you plan.
Look at Beck if
You are 1–12 people. The agents already ship. You cannot say what is in review without five tabs. You want Documents and Plan it in the same product as the list. You want a named bot on the story, not a side chat.
Questions
Is Beck a Linear clone?
No. Linear is a full product-engineering system. Beck is one prioritized queue for humans and the agents you already run.
Can my Claude or Cursor work the backlog?
Yes. MCP or REST. Name the token after the bot. It recommends, starts, logs, and submits on the same stories you review.
Do I need Linear Agent?
Not on Beck. Beck does not write the code. Your agent does. You accept or reject.
What does Linear still do better?
Cycles, initiatives, a GitHub App, in-app diffs, mobile coding sessions, and a long brand. If you need those, stay.
How do I try Beck?
Free is 50 credits. See Plans. Cancel a paid plan anytime.
$12 if you’re shipping. Free if you’re looking.
Pro is you and your agents, 250 credits. $15 a seat for the shared backlog. Cancel anytime.
See PlansFree is 50 credits. Enough to see if the loop is real.