Linearity

Name: Linearity
Brand: Ché King

Design & animation software. Made for illustrators, designers and creative professionals. 🧡

Est 2017|Valuation $348.5M|Raised $29.1M|8 Ref Customers

LinkedIn 16K|Web traffic 83K|FTEs 85|HQ Berlin, Berlin, DE

MarketsContent Creation & Design

Published Oct 6, 2026

01Common complaints

Deal disqualifiers (poor fit)

Windows-first teams or hybrid environments where Apple-only constraints are unacceptable.
Teams requiring published SOC 2 Type II / ISO 27001 evidence (unless Linearity can provide documentation privately).
Workflows requiring deep After Effects-style compositing, extensive plugin ecosystems, or highly specialized export pipelines.

Issues raised by customers/community

Export gating and access to files after subscription changes (community complaints; perceived lock-in).
Cloud dependency and performance on slower connections (community feedback).
Missing specific tools or UX decisions (e.g., requests for warp/distort, blur quality, distribute tool changes).

Vendor-acknowledged limitations / roadmap hints

Move reviews and vendor messaging indicate features are still being built.
Linearity publicly discussed reintroducing local storage as a potential Pro feature (as of Sep 2025 discussion).

Scale limitations

No hard technical ceilings (file size, layers, performance limits at enterprise scale) were clearly documented in the sources reviewed.

Why some customers left / churn reasons

Based on community discussions:

Subscription gating of exports and access to files
Cloud vs local storage control (preference for local-first options)
Perceived mismatch between free-tier expectations and actual free tier limitations

02Why they buy

Unique selling points supported by customer/reviewer evidence

Ease of use / intuitive UI: repeatedly cited in user reviews.
Templates enabling non-specialists: emphasized in Move reviews.
Cross-device creation: Apple workflow is consistently noted across vendor messaging and product listings.

Unique selling points that are primarily vendor claims (treated cautiously)

Marketing ROI claims such as large percentage increases in engagement and content output appear in product marketing; methodology is not documented in accessible sources.

Where competitors have advantages

Adobe: advanced feature depth, ecosystem, and standardization.
Inkscape: fully free and open-source.
Affinity (depending on current model): strong pro features without Adobe-style subscription; verify current product direction.

Why customers chose Linearity

Common reasons cited in reviews and case studies include:

Apple-native cross-device workflow (iPad + Pencil + Mac)
Faster learning curve than Adobe-style tools
Templates and rapid production for marketing assets
Import options from other design tools as described in vendor materials

03Field reports

Review platform snapshot (quantity matters)

Review volume across platforms is limited; ratings should be treated as directional rather than definitive.
Linearity is generally well received in third-party reviews and is very highly rated on Capterra.

Interpretation: Ratings are positive, but review volume is small compared to major incumbents; star averages are indicative rather than conclusive.

Positive feedback (examples)

G2 (Curve): - "It feels super polished and responsive — perfect for quick edits..." - Strengths frequently cited include intuitive UI, ease of use, and a workflow that reviewers describe as logical. G2 (Move): - "Super easy to use! Love the templates..." - Several Move reviewers emphasize speed to output and that non-specialists can produce marketing animations. Vendor case studies (vendor-authored): - Agency case study reports time savings, faster delivery, and lower software overhead after switching. - Startup case study reports significant animation cost reduction and notable efficiency improvements when animation was brought in-house.

Negative feedback / complaints (examples)

Community (Reddit) — recurring themes: - Reports that the app is advertised as free but that exports or certain features require payment. - Allegations that cloud storage changes and subscription transitions caused loss of locally saved work or inability to access/export older files. - Reports of users switching to other tools after being unable to access/export files following subscription changes. G2 (Curve) — “cons” and limitations: - Requests for more advanced animation controls and export options, and better compatibility with After Effects. - Some reviews mention the need for other tools for deeper collaboration/integration.

1) Creative agency

Claimed results (vendor-published): - Reported time savings on delivery, faster client delivery, and reduced software overhead after switching. Critical evaluation: - Metrics are vendor-authored; methodology and baselines are not fully disclosed (for example, how time savings were measured, sample size, duration, or which tools were replaced). - The case study is still useful as directional evidence that agencies value cross-device workflow and suite consolidation.

2) Startup

Claimed results (vendor-published):

Reported substantial cost reduction for animation by bringing it in-house and efficiency improvements.

Critical evaluation:

The narrative aligns with Linearity’s positioning for marketing animation in-house, but ROI will vary by organizational maturity.
Cost-reduction claims may conflate agency spend with software spend; buyers should model baselines specific to their organization.

3) Maker / fabrication group

Claimed outcome:

Improved iteration and reduced time troubleshooting files, plus user-reported comfort and convenience.

Critical evaluation:

Useful for niche workflows (laser cutting, maker communities) where iPad-first design is beneficial.
Not necessarily representative of enterprise marketing team needs (security, collaboration governance).

04Best fit

Company sizes

Individuals / creators: well-suited for those seeking iPad + Mac vector and simple motion tools.
SMB to mid-market marketing teams (small to mid-sized organizations): appropriate when fast production of social/performance assets is required and a lighter enterprise security posture is acceptable unless engaging Org.
Enterprise: possible via Org, but requires due diligence on security/compliance and collaboration governance.

Industries / verticals

Marketing agencies, SaaS marketing teams, ecommerce brands
Education and creator economy
Makers / fabrication communities (laser cutting) based on published case study

Roles and personas

Marketing designers, content designers, growth marketers
Brand designers producing social/paid assets
Creators needing motion graphics without After Effects complexity

Qualification criteria (good fit)

The organization is primarily on Mac/iPad/iPhone.
Faster output is a priority and some advanced niche features can be deprioritized.
The organization is comfortable with cloud-centric workflows (or confirms local storage options on the chosen plan).

05The pitch

What the product does (core value proposition)

Linearity is a 2-in-1 creative suite centered on:

Linearity Curve (vector design/illustration)
Linearity Move (vector-first motion design/animation)

The core value proposition is an Apple-native, easier-to-learn alternative to heavier tools (for example, Illustrator + After Effects), with cross-device sync (Mac/iPad/iPhone) and template-driven creation aimed at marketing teams and creators.

Target market and market positioning

Linearity is positioned for: - Marketing teams and agencies producing brand and performance assets (static + animated) - Designers seeking simpler workflows than Adobe, especially in the Apple ecosystem - Creators/makers who need vector output (for example, laser cutting workflows) The suite positioning differentiates it from point tools (vector-only or animation-only). It is not positioned as a full replacement for advanced Adobe workflows in every edge case.

Get a comprehensive analysis of Linearity including market position, competitive landscape, adoption trends, and peer benchmarks.

Download full report →

Published Oct 6, 2026

01Common complaints

Deal disqualifiers (poor fit)

Windows-first teams or hybrid environments where Apple-only constraints are unacceptable.
Teams requiring published SOC 2 Type II / ISO 27001 evidence (unless Linearity can provide documentation privately).
Workflows requiring deep After Effects-style compositing, extensive plugin ecosystems, or highly specialized export pipelines.

Issues raised by customers/community

Export gating and access to files after subscription changes (community complaints; perceived lock-in).
Cloud dependency and performance on slower connections (community feedback).
Missing specific tools or UX decisions (e.g., requests for warp/distort, blur quality, distribute tool changes).

Vendor-acknowledged limitations / roadmap hints

Move reviews and vendor messaging indicate features are still being built.
Linearity publicly discussed reintroducing local storage as a potential Pro feature (as of Sep 2025 discussion).

Scale limitations

No hard technical ceilings (file size, layers, performance limits at enterprise scale) were clearly documented in the sources reviewed.

Why some customers left / churn reasons

Based on community discussions:

Subscription gating of exports and access to files
Cloud vs local storage control (preference for local-first options)
Perceived mismatch between free-tier expectations and actual free tier limitations

02Why they buy

Unique selling points supported by customer/reviewer evidence

Ease of use / intuitive UI: repeatedly cited in user reviews.
Templates enabling non-specialists: emphasized in Move reviews.
Cross-device creation: Apple workflow is consistently noted across vendor messaging and product listings.

Unique selling points that are primarily vendor claims (treated cautiously)

Marketing ROI claims such as large percentage increases in engagement and content output appear in product marketing; methodology is not documented in accessible sources.

Where competitors have advantages

Adobe: advanced feature depth, ecosystem, and standardization.
Inkscape: fully free and open-source.
Affinity (depending on current model): strong pro features without Adobe-style subscription; verify current product direction.

Why customers chose Linearity

Common reasons cited in reviews and case studies include:

Apple-native cross-device workflow (iPad + Pencil + Mac)
Faster learning curve than Adobe-style tools
Templates and rapid production for marketing assets
Import options from other design tools as described in vendor materials

03Field reports

Review platform snapshot (quantity matters)

Review volume across platforms is limited; ratings should be treated as directional rather than definitive.
Linearity is generally well received in third-party reviews and is very highly rated on Capterra.

Interpretation: Ratings are positive, but review volume is small compared to major incumbents; star averages are indicative rather than conclusive.

Positive feedback (examples)

G2 (Curve):

"It feels super polished and responsive — perfect for quick edits..."
Strengths frequently cited include intuitive UI, ease of use, and a workflow that reviewers describe as logical.

G2 (Move):

"Super easy to use! Love the templates..."
Several Move reviewers emphasize speed to output and that non-specialists can produce marketing animations.

Vendor case studies (vendor-authored):

Agency case study reports time savings, faster delivery, and lower software overhead after switching.
Startup case study reports significant animation cost reduction and notable efficiency improvements when animation was brought in-house.

Negative feedback / complaints (examples)

Community (Reddit) — recurring themes:

Reports that the app is advertised as free but that exports or certain features require payment.
Allegations that cloud storage changes and subscription transitions caused loss of locally saved work or inability to access/export older files.
Reports of users switching to other tools after being unable to access/export files following subscription changes.

G2 (Curve) — “cons” and limitations:

Requests for more advanced animation controls and export options, and better compatibility with After Effects.
Some reviews mention the need for other tools for deeper collaboration/integration.

1) Creative agency

Claimed results (vendor-published):

Reported time savings on delivery, faster client delivery, and reduced software overhead after switching.

Critical evaluation:

Metrics are vendor-authored; methodology and baselines are not fully disclosed (for example, how time savings were measured, sample size, duration, or which tools were replaced).
The case study is still useful as directional evidence that agencies value cross-device workflow and suite consolidation.

2) Startup

Claimed results (vendor-published):

Reported substantial cost reduction for animation by bringing it in-house and efficiency improvements.

Critical evaluation:

The narrative aligns with Linearity’s positioning for marketing animation in-house, but ROI will vary by organizational maturity.
Cost-reduction claims may conflate agency spend with software spend; buyers should model baselines specific to their organization.

3) Maker / fabrication group

Claimed outcome:

Improved iteration and reduced time troubleshooting files, plus user-reported comfort and convenience.

Critical evaluation:

Useful for niche workflows (laser cutting, maker communities) where iPad-first design is beneficial.
Not necessarily representative of enterprise marketing team needs (security, collaboration governance).

04Best fit

Company sizes

Individuals / creators: well-suited for those seeking iPad + Mac vector and simple motion tools.
SMB to mid-market marketing teams (small to mid-sized organizations): appropriate when fast production of social/performance assets is required and a lighter enterprise security posture is acceptable unless engaging Org.
Enterprise: possible via Org, but requires due diligence on security/compliance and collaboration governance.

Industries / verticals

Marketing agencies, SaaS marketing teams, ecommerce brands
Education and creator economy
Makers / fabrication communities (laser cutting) based on published case study

Roles and personas

Marketing designers, content designers, growth marketers
Brand designers producing social/paid assets
Creators needing motion graphics without After Effects complexity

Qualification criteria (good fit)

The organization is primarily on Mac/iPad/iPhone.
Faster output is a priority and some advanced niche features can be deprioritized.
The organization is comfortable with cloud-centric workflows (or confirms local storage options on the chosen plan).

05The pitch

What the product does (core value proposition)

Linearity is a 2-in-1 creative suite centered on:

Linearity Curve (vector design/illustration)
Linearity Move (vector-first motion design/animation)

Target market and market positioning

Linearity is positioned for:

Marketing teams and agencies producing brand and performance assets (static + animated)
Designers seeking simpler workflows than Adobe, especially in the Apple ecosystem
Creators/makers who need vector output (for example, laser cutting workflows)

The suite positioning differentiates it from point tools (vector-only or animation-only). It is not positioned as a full replacement for advanced Adobe workflows in every edge case.

Get a comprehensive analysis of Linearity including market position, competitive landscape, adoption trends, and peer benchmarks.

Download full report →