The main difference between Linktree and Bitly lies in their purpose.
On the one hand, Linktree primarily serves as a link management tool that enables users to add unlimited links to a customizable page, making it easier for their audience to navigate multiple destinations.
Bitly, on the other hand, is commonly used for URL shortening so creators and brands can optimize their links and track clicks. Additionally, Bitly also provides customizable landing pages for links management, similar to Linktree.
With QR code integrations, link analytics, customizable themes, and a free version, both of these platforms assist creators and businesses ready to maximize their marketing efforts and optimize their social media profiles.
In this article, we will explore feature comparisons, pros, cons, pricing, and more, to find out which of these platforms caters better to your needs, and help you make an informed decision based on your personal or professional goals.
When adding, editing, and managing multiple links, there are a few core attributes most link-in-bio tools follow in order to fulfill their primary role and become a useful tool.
Let’s explore 4 key attributes most link-in-bio tools share:
For another popular Link-in-bio alternative, see how Carrd stands up to Linktree in out in-depth Linktree vs Carrd comparison.
Both Linktree and Bitly provide an intuitive layout for creators and brands to seamlessly add, edit, shorten, and manage their links. By offering mobile apps as well as desktop login, users are free to pick which device they manage their page with.
With their pre-designed templates, both Linktree and Bitly allow users to match their page to their branding.
Bitly’s templates are slightly more customizable than Linktree ones, and both provide further themes on paid plans.
Linktree integrates with tools like Zapier, Calendly, Mailchimp, and more, for users to automate email collection, appointment booking, and data syncing directly from their Linktree profile.
Supports integrations with platforms like Zapier, HubSpot, and Salesforce, for users to automate link management, track performance, and streamline marketing workflows.
As link-in-bio tools, each platform offers basic yet useful analytics on link and clicks in order to make performance based changes.
Additionally to their paid plans, both platforms offer free alternatives with multiple features for users to explore each one without making an upfront payment.
Included in their Free plan, Linktree and Bitly offer a QR code integration for users to share their page on multiple platforms or offline formats.
Bitly differs slightly on enabling QR code customization and limiting code creations varying by plan (from 2 to 200).
Both Linktree and Bitly offer user-friendly features, customization options, and useful integrations. Bitly provides more customization and advanced QR code features, while Linktree excels in automation tools. By offering free plans, both become accessible for users to try before committing to a paid plan.
Explore our Linktree vs Beacons.ai in-depth comparison and discover further how each platform supports creators with monetization features, customization options, analytics, and user experience.
Linktree enables users to add unlimited links, whereas Bitly does not. Depending on each plan, Bitly users will be able to add 5, 100, 500, or 3.000 links a month.
With Linktree, users can sell digital products and courses, collect tips or donations, add affiliate products through Linktree Shops, use sponsored links, and integrate commerce links to accept payments. The 9% seller fee is reduced to 0% on the Premium plan.
Bitly does not offer native commerce features, however, users can still add affiliate product links.
Linktree offers more flexible monthly options, starting with a free plan and scaling up to a Premium plan at $24/month, ideal for creators and businesses.
Bitly, on the other hand, also starts with a free plan but jumps to the Core plan at $8 only billed annually or the Growth plan at $35/month, and Enterprise at $300/month, focusing more on link management, branded URLs, and analytics for larger corporations.
Linktree does not offer a native URL shortener feature, whereas Bitly provides a core feature with robust shortening and full custom domain support.
Linktree supports multiple types of embedded media like, playlists, podcasts, YouTube videos, images, Pinterest pins, Facebook and TikTok videos, FAQs sections, books, and more.
Bitly solely supports embedding images, image carousels, and YouTube videos.
Linktree is ideal for creators and businesses seeking unlimited links, monetization options, and diverse embedded media. Bitly, however, is better suited for businesses managing a reasonable amount of links, with robust URL shortening and analytics.
Interested in Beacons as a feature-rich alternative? Explore our Linktree vs Beacons breakdown focused on creator monetization and branding
As a link-in-bio tool, Linktree is ideal for those looking for a no fuss, link management platform that allows businesses, marketers, and creators to add and manage unlimited links in a profile bio. With its intuitive design, Linktree becomes a professional and budget-friendly solution for those looking to share multiple ideas from one place.
4.4 / 5.0 (Capterra)
Pricing starts at $5/month, with a monthly commitment.
Linktree is Best For: Creator and brands to manage multiple links from a customizable landing page.
Bitly is a link management platform known for its URL shortening capabilities, widely used for creating links that are easier to share. Additionally, it provides powerful analytics, showing how many people clicked a link, when, and from where, making it a favorite tool for businesses to optimize and measure campaigns.
4.8 / 5.0 (Capterra)
Pricing starts at $8/annually, with an annual commitment.
Bitly is Best For: Businesses to shorten URLs and track links.
Creator Hero is an all-in-one influencer storefront platform that enables content creators to build personalized online stores to showcase and sell their favorite products.
It simplifies e-commerce by allowing creators to recommend products, earn commissions, and establish brand partnerships without managing shipping or customer support.
For brands, Creator Hero serves as a streamlined solution for influencer-brand partnerships, allowing creators to feature a brand’s products in their personalized storefronts and eliminating the need for extensive campaign briefs or long email exchanges.
Creator Hero is Best For: Building customizable creator storefronts.
Pricing starts at $19/month, with a monthly commitment.
The choice between Linktree, Bitly, and Creator Hero ultimately depends on your specific needs. If you're seeking an all-in-one platform for link management with professional appeal and monetization options, Linktree is a solid choice.
Bitly, however, shines for businesses focused on detailed analytics and link tracking, although it lacks built-in commerce features. Creator Hero is ideal for creators aiming to earn through affiliate marketing, offering customizable storefronts and competitive commission rates, though it may require some time to master.
For those looking for a clean link-in-bio tool that provides a professional appeal, monetization opportunities on affiliate marketing and digital product sales, and attentive support, Linktree makes a great choice. However, more advanced features like a complex customization may be locked in behind Pro and Premium plans.
On the other hand, Bitly’s URL shortening capabilities, custom campaign-level tracking, and multiple users and group management might be ideal for enterprises ready to optimize their link management. However it lacks unlimited links and has no built-in commerce features.
Lastly, Creator Hero offers customizable influencer storefronts with built-in analytics and affiliate opportunities of up to 20% to 50% commission rates. However, it may require an initial learning curve and is mainly suited for online use.
As these three platforms offer a free plan, let’s explore their features and compare.
Compared to Bitly, Linktree’s free plan offers a more feature-rich alternative for creators and businesses focusing on content sharing, engagement, selling digital products, affiliate marketing, and social media integration.
In contrast, Bitly’s free alternative remains more limited, offering only 5 links per month, 2 QR codes, and a few custom branding tools.
Creator Hero, alternatively, prioritizes monetization through personalized influencer storefronts and competitive 30% to 50% affiliate commissions, making it ideal for creators looking to earn from product promotions.
While Bitly is more suited for URL shortening and basic link management, Linktree stands out as a more interactive tool for online presence building, and Creator Hero adds specialized features for those aiming to start monetizing their online presence.
Linktree, Bitly and Creator Hero each have their strengths. Selecting the best one will depend on your priorities, whether that's ease of use, analytics, or monetization opportunities.
If you're a creator or brand looking to organize multiple links, monetize your content, and maintain a clean, professional look, Linktree may be the choice for you.
On the flip side, if your main focus is on optimizing URLs, tracking performance with in-depth analytics, and managing links at scale, Bitly is your go-to solution, built for businesses and marketers who need to stay on top of their campaigns.
For creators looking to take monetization to the next level, platforms like Creator Hero offer an alternative approach with personalized storefronts and high affiliate commissions, making it a great option for those focused on building revenue streams.
Ultimately, you can test out each platform’s free plan and choose which aligns best with your personal or professional goals.
Explore our top 10 link-in-bio alternatives, including Creator Hero, and compare key features, pricing, reviews, and more.