A link-in-bio tool, not a link shortener
Bitly is a URL shortener that added a bio link feature. Their bio page is basic and limited. Links is built from the ground up for bio links. Faster, safer, with smart deep links Bitly doesn't have.
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Links vs Bitly
An honest comparison, feature by feature.
| Feature | Links | Bitly |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Link-in-bio (core product) | URL shortening (bio link is a side feature) |
| Smart deep links | Yes, bypasses Instagram webview | No |
| Shield protection | Yes, blocks crawlers | No |
| Free plan links | Unlimited | 10 links maximum |
| Pricing | Free forever | Free (10 links), Core $8/mo, Growth $29/mo |
| Per-link analytics | Yes, every link tracked | Basic click tracking only |
Why creators leave Bitly
Bitly's bio page is an afterthought
Bitly built their reputation on link shortening. They added a bio link feature later because everyone else had one. It's basic, limited, and doesn't get much attention. Links exists only to make your bio link work better. Every feature is built for that purpose.
You need more than 10 links
Bitly's free plan limits you to 10 links on your bio page. If you have more content to share, you pay $8/month for their Core plan. Links gives you unlimited links on the free plan. Add as many as you need without hitting a paywall.
Your links work from Instagram
Bitly doesn't fix the webview problem. When fans tap your Bitly bio page from Instagram, links open in the broken mini browser. Links opens the real browser so your checkout, portfolio, and booking pages work correctly.
You're not paying for features you don't need
Bitly's paid plans give you link shortening features, QR codes, and branded domains. If you just need a bio link, that's overkill. Links is free and focused. You get everything you need for a bio link without paying for extras.
Common questions
Bitly works as a basic bio link, but it's not their main product. The free plan limits you to 10 links, there are no deep links, and analytics are basic. Bitly is excellent for link shortening. Use it for that. Use Links for your bio link.
Bitly's free plan gives you 10 bio links. The Core plan is $8/month for 1,500 links. Growth is $29/month for advanced features. Links is free with unlimited bio links, smart deep links, and full analytics. No paid tier needed.
Yes. This is actually a smart setup. Use Bitly for link shortening and tracking individual campaign URLs. It's excellent at that. Use Links as your Instagram bio link. They serve different purposes and work well together. You can even shorten your Links URL with Bitly if you want to track bio link traffic separately from other campaigns. Most creators who need both tools use them side by side without conflict. Bitly for campaigns, Links for bio.
No. Bitly redirects shortened URLs and has a basic bio link page, but neither feature solves the Instagram webview problem. When someone taps a Bitly link or Bitly bio page from Instagram, they're stuck in the webview where forms break. Links detects when someone opens your page from Instagram and forces the real browser to load instead. Your links work correctly, checkout pages submit, and booking forms function. This is why creators use Bitly for shortening and Links for bio.
Bitly is a link shortening service first. Their bio link feature is secondary. The 10-link limit pushes free users to upgrade to paid plans for their core features. Links is a bio link tool first, so unlimited links are included free.
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