Shortcut vs Plane: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Shortcut is the better pick for product teams wanting a balance of power and simplicity. Plane is the better pick for teams wanting a self-hostable Linear or Jira alternative.

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At a Glance

Feature	Shortcut	Plane
Best For	Product teams wanting a balance of power and simplicity	Teams wanting a self-hostable Linear or Jira alternative
Pricing	Free tier with paid plans	Free open source; paid managed cloud
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Proprietary	Open source
Deployment	Managed cloud	Self-hosted or managed cloud
Link	Visit Shortcut	Visit Plane

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Detailed Breakdown

Shortcut

Project management for software teams (formerly Clubhouse)

Pros:

• Stories, epics and iterations
• Clean UI
• Docs built in

Cons:

• Smaller ecosystem
• Fewer enterprise features

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Plane

Open-source project and issue tracking

Pros:

• Open source and self-hostable
• Cycles and modules
• Modern UI

Cons:

• Younger product
• Fewer integrations

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Shortcut — project management for software teams (formerly Clubhouse). Plane — open-source project and issue tracking.
• Licensing differs: Shortcut is proprietary while Plane is open source.
• Deployment: Shortcut — managed cloud. Plane — self-hosted or managed cloud.
• Pricing: Shortcut — free tier with paid plans. Plane — free open source; paid managed cloud.
• Signature strength: Shortcut — stories, epics and iterations. Plane — open source and self-hostable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shortcut better than Plane?

It depends on your requirements. Shortcut is a strong fit for product teams wanting a balance of power and simplicity, while Plane suits teams wanting a self-hostable Linear or Jira alternative.

Is Shortcut free to use?

Yes, you can start with Shortcut for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Is Plane free to use?

Yes, you can start with Plane for free. Pricing model: Free open source; paid managed cloud.

Can I self-host Shortcut or Plane?

Shortcut is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. Plane can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Shortcut and Plane?

Shortcut: smaller ecosystem; fewer enterprise features. Plane: younger product; fewer integrations.