HubSpot for Startups vs Linear Startup Program (2026): Which Is Better for Startups?

Both are software perks for startups. Here is how HubSpot for Startups and Linear Startup Program compare on what a startup gets, who qualifies and how to apply, and which one we would pick.

HubSpot for Startups

Up to 90% off HubSpot Professional or Enterprise in year one for funded or partner-backed startups

8.0 /10

Pricing: Free to join

Pros

Up to 90% off year one, with discounts for two more years
Open to funded startups without a partner code
Covers the full HubSpot platform at Professional level

Cons

Annual commitment and steep list prices once the discount ends
Only for net-new Professional or Enterprise products

Visit HubSpot for Startups ↗

Linear Startup Program

Free access to Linear Business for partner-affiliated startups under 50 employees

6.5 /10

Pricing: Free to join

Pros

Business plan free for the offer period
Hundreds of partners to qualify through
Data kept when the offer ends

Cons

No direct application; partner required
Length of free period not stated on the main page

Visit Linear Startup Program ↗

HubSpot for Startups vs Linear Startup Program at a glance

	HubSpot for Startups	Linear Startup Program
Editor score	8.0 / 10	6.5 / 10
Pricing model	Free	Free
What you get	Free to join	Free to join
Who qualifies	Startups that raised pre-seed, seed or Series A (not Series B+) or are affiliated with an approved HubSpot partner; the 30% tier is for members of approved entrepreneurial organisations.	Non-paying Linear workspaces with fewer than 50 employees that are affiliated with an official Linear partner.
Partner code needed	No	Yes
Steps it helps with	claim startup credits, get your first 100 customers	claim startup credits, build your mvp
Who it is for	Pre-seed, Seed stage, Series A+, VC-backed only, SaaS	Pre-seed, Seed stage, VC-backed only, SaaS
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	crm, marketing automation, sales	issue tracking, project management, engineering

Our pick

HubSpot for Startups edges it with a score of 8.0 versus 6.5. HubSpot for Startups is the better fit if you value: up to 90% off year one, with discounts for two more years, open to funded startups without a partner code. Choose Linear Startup Program instead if you need: business plan free for the offer period, hundreds of partners to qualify through. Many startups can claim both: see credits by value.