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Head-to-head · Link Management Tools

Bitly vs Beacons

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Bitly #1 in Link Management Tools 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Bitly
Beacons #6 in Link Management Tools 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Beacons

Bitly leads on 0 checks, Beacons on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBitly · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBitly · 2 of 4

Bitly scores higher on our rubric for link management tools: 9.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Bitly is the better fit for organizations needing proven link management at scale. Beacons is the better fit for creators needing link-in-bio and monetization.

  • Bitly fits best

    Organizations needing proven link management at scale

  • Beacons fits best

    Creators needing link-in-bio and monetization

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bitly 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Beacons 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.2
Ranking #1 in Link Management Tools #6 in Link Management Tools
Best for Organizations needing proven link management at scale Creators needing link-in-bio and monetization
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $10/mo $100/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 3,400+ integrations 11 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Bitly 2/4 · Beacons 0/4
Custom domains ✓ (best) Not checked yet
QR codes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Link-in-bio pages Not checked yet Not checked yet
API access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Monthly link limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Link analytics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Branded domains, dynamic routing, QR Codes, and campaign tools
  • Analytics, bulk creation, APIs, webhooks, apps, and browser extensions
  • 3,400 integrations plus SSO, permissions, and priority support on Enterprise
  • Customizable pages combine links, websites, media embeds and analytics.
  • Free plan includes unlimited digital products and real-time analytics.
  • Integrates with Google Calendar, Zoom, music services, payments and Shopify.
Cons
  • Free plan allows only 5 links and 2 QR Codes per month
  • Core and Growth plans limit link volumes and analytics retention
  • Enterprise volumes and pricing are customized rather than published
  • Its focus is broader creator commerce than dedicated URL shortening.
  • Free plan limits email sends to 50 per month.
  • Support channels listed are email and documentation.
Our verdict

Bitly is a cloud, mobile, and browser-based platform for shortening, branding, routing, and measuring links and QR Codes. It serves individuals, marketers, small businesses, mid-market teams, and enterprise organizations. Core capabilities…

Read the review →

Beacons is a creator-focused platform for building customizable link-in-bio pages and websites, collecting email subscribers, selling digital products, creating media kits and analyzing traffic. It also includes Instagram auto-DM…

Read the review →
  1. BitlyLink Management Tools 9.3Free plan
  2. BeaconsLink Management Tools 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bitly — where it wins

    • Branded domains, dynamic routing, QR Codes, and campaign tools
    • Analytics, bulk creation, APIs, webhooks, apps, and browser extensions
    • 3,400 integrations plus SSO, permissions, and priority support on Enterprise

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan allows only 5 links and 2 QR Codes per month
    • Core and Growth plans limit link volumes and analytics retention
    • Enterprise volumes and pricing are customized rather than published

  • Beacons — where it wins

    • Customizable pages combine links, websites, media embeds and analytics.
    • Free plan includes unlimited digital products and real-time analytics.
    • Integrates with Google Calendar, Zoom, music services, payments and Shopify.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its focus is broader creator commerce than dedicated URL shortening.
    • Free plan limits email sends to 50 per month.
    • Support channels listed are email and documentation.
  • Bitly9.3/10 · Free plan

    A scalable link platform with branded domains, routing, analytics, and broad integrations.

    Visit BitlyFull verdict →
  • Beacons8.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad creator toolkit for bio pages, digital sales, email capture and analytics.

    Visit BeaconsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All link management tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update