Biomimetic surface modifications of titanium (Ti) implants using the Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐sequence (RGD) are promising to accelerate bone healing in cases of medical implants. Therefore, we compared the impact of linear and cyclic RGD (l‐ and c‐RGD) covalently coupled onto Ti surfaces on the osseous response in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, osteoblasts’ behavior on different surfaces (unmodified, amino‐silanized APTES, l‐ and c‐RGD) was analysed regarding adhesion (fluorescence microscopy), proliferation (resazurin stain) and differentiation (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin). In vivo, osteosynthesis screws (unmodified n = 8, l‐RGD n = 8, c‐RGD n = 8) were inserted into the proximal tibiae of 12 rabbits and evaluated for bone growth parameters (bone implant contact % and vertical bone apposition VBA;%) at 3 and 6 weeks. In vitro, c‐ as well as l‐RGD surfaces stimulated osteoblasts’ adherence, proliferation and differentiation in a similar manner, with only subtle evidence of superiority of the c‐RGD modifications. In vivo, c‐RGD‐modifications led to a significantly increased VBA after 3 and 6 weeks. Thus, coating with c‐RGD appears to play an important role influencing osteoblasts’ behaviour in vitro but especially in vivo. These findings can be applied prospectively to implantable biomaterials with hypothetically improved survival and success rates. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 419–427, 2018.