A linear drive has a drive housing on which a carriage is able to run. For guiding the carriage two guide units are provided, which jointly lie in a guide plane extending perpendicularly to the upright axis of the drive housing. The guide units flank the carriage on the longitudinal side, the guide plane being arranged offset in the direction of the upright axis in relation to a drive space formed in the drive housing, drive means for the carriage being located in the drive space. At an edge section on the longitudinal side the carriage overlaps at least a part of the drive space.