QRLynx vs Bitly.
Two QR and link platforms compared by current free tier, QR scope, analytics, API access, and team needs. Decision points below are organized by use case.
QRLynx and Bitly differ most in QR payload range, plan limits, analytics, and enterprise controls. QRLynx Starter includes 3 active dynamic codes, unlimited static codes, and scan analytics. Bitly Free allows 2 new QR Codes per calendar month but includes no link or QR analytics. Bitly API access begins on Free, while Bitly Enterprise adds SSO and an account Activity Log. Compare the exact tier and printed-code lifecycle before choosing.
- 3 active dynamic codes on Starter, with no monthly creation reset
- 61 QR types, including vCard, WiFi, payment, social, and event
- Unlimited static codes and scans on Starter
- Watermark-free registered Starter raster downloads
- Basic AI scan summaries and 3 months of analytics on Starter
- 5 links and 2 QR Codes per calendar month on Free
- 1,000 API requests per month on Free
- Core at $10/mo with annual billing, including 30 days of click and scan data
- One complimentary custom domain from Growth
- SSO, Activity Log, group controls, and assigned customer success on Enterprise
QRLynx vs Bitly: the full matrix
Each row compares the products' published scope. Bitly facts were checked against its pricing, support, and developer documentation on 2026-08-14.
| Dimension | QRLynx | Bitly | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free forever: 3 active dynamic QR codes, unlimited static QR codes and scans, 3 months of analytics, basic AI scan summaries, and watermark-free raster downloads. | Free: 5 short links and 2 dynamic QR Codes per calendar month, with unlimited clicks and scans but no link or QR analytics. Existing links and codes remain active when the creation limit resets. | Different limits |
| QR code types | 61 (URL, vCard, WiFi, PDF, social, payment, business, event, app store, wallet, lead, and more). | Bitly focuses on URL-based dynamic QR Codes and also supports GS1-compliant 2D barcodes. Other destinations can be reached through URLs, but Bitly does not publish them as separate native payload types. | QRLynx (native payload range) |
| Link shortening | Smart redirects and custom branded domains are available, but link shortening is not the primary product surface. | Bitly combines short links, QR Codes, landing pages, analytics, and integrations across social publishing, CRM, design, commerce, and automation. | Bitly (broader link management) |
| Analytics depth | Real-time scan counts and time patterns, 90 days of detailed records on every plan, basic AI summaries on Starter, country detail on Pro, and city/device/browser detail on Business. | Free has no link or QR analytics. Core provides 30 days of click and scan data, Growth 120 days, Premium 1 year, and Enterprise 2 years. | Plan-dependent |
| Custom-branded domains | Available on the Enterprise plan ($99/mo) with white-label support. | Available from Growth at $29/mo with annual billing or $35 month-to-month. Growth includes one complimentary custom domain; multiple custom domains require Enterprise. | Bitly (cheaper entry) |
| Code editability after print | Yes. An eligible active dynamic QR code can be repointed after it has been printed. | Destination redirects begin on Core, with 5 link or QR redirects per month. Growth includes 20 and Premium includes 110. | Both, with plan limits |
| Code longevity | Static codes retain their directly encoded payload. Dynamic links remain active while they fit within plan capacity; overflow after a downgrade is quota-paused and preserved. | Bitly QR Codes do not expire by default. Deleting a code or its associated link stops it. Default bit.ly links continue after downgrade; custom-domain behavior depends on DNS, SSL, and registration. | Different downgrade rules |
| Free QR customization | Registered Starter users can upload a logo and download watermark-free raster files. | Free includes limited colors, frames, and patterns, plus PNG, JPEG, and SVG downloads. Custom-logo upload starts on Core. | Different free options |
| Redirect latency | Routes dynamic scans through a global edge network and publishes current service health. | Bitly says its own processing time is generally tens of milliseconds. Total response time also depends on the network, ISP, location, and destination server. | Not independently compared |
| Starting paid price | Starter+ at $7/mo (50 dynamic codes, 1 year of analytics, Full AI Insights, SVG/PDF exports). | Core at $10/mo, billed as $120/year: 100 short links, 5 QR Codes per month, 30 days of click and scan data, and 5 redirects per month. | QRLynx (lower entry price) |
| Enterprise procurement features | Enterprise tier ($99/mo) with white-label features, custom dynamic domains, 100-member teams, and a Dedicated Success Manager. | Custom-priced Enterprise includes SSO, an account Activity Log, group permissions, user management, priority support, and an assigned Customer Success Manager. | Bitly (SSO and Activity Log) |
| API access | Public REST API available on Business ($29/mo) and Enterprise. | API access starts on Free with 1,000 requests per month. Bitly also publishes a TypeScript client, an OpenAPI specification, and Android and iOS mobile deep-linking SDKs. | Bitly (lower API entry price) |
| Fit for marketing teams | SMBs and growth-stage teams can compare the listed QR features against QRLynx's published self-serve prices. | Teams already using Bitly can manage links, QR Codes, landing pages, and integrations in one platform. Migration cost depends on their current assets and workflows. | Depends on the current stack |
What does each cost?
Public USD list pricing only. Enterprise contracts vary. Verified 2026-08-14 from QRLynx pricing and Bitly pricing.
| Tier | QRLynx | Bitly |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0: 3 active dynamic codes, unlimited static codes, 3 months of analytics, and basic AI summaries | $0: 5 links and 2 QR Codes monthly; no link or QR analytics |
| Entry paid | $7/mo Starter+ (50 dynamic codes, 1 year of analytics, and SVG/PDF exports) | $10/mo Core, billed annually (100 links, 5 QR Codes monthly, and 30 days of data) |
| Growth / Pro | $14/mo Pro (300 dynamic codes, smart redirects, password protection, scheduling, and bulk creation) | $29/mo Growth with annual billing or $35 month-to-month (500 links, 10 QR Codes monthly, 120 days of data, and one complimentary custom domain) |
| Higher volume | $29/mo Business (1,000 codes, 10-member team, lead capture, and API) | $199/mo Premium with annual billing or $300 month-to-month (3,000 links, 200 QR Codes monthly, and 1 year of data) |
| Enterprise | $99/mo (5,000 codes, white-label features, and 100-member team) | Custom pricing and limits, with SSO, Activity Log, group controls, user management, priority support, and assigned customer success |
Which should you choose?
Seven common scenarios and the decision point for each one.
- A small business wants free QR codes for a restaurant menu, a wifi card, and event flyers.
- QRLynx
- Starter includes 3 active dynamic codes, unlimited static codes and scans, and watermark-free raster downloads. Bitly Free allows 2 new QR Codes per calendar month and includes no QR scan analytics.
- A large marketing team already uses Bitly and wants more QR payload types.
- Compare migration scope
- Existing Bitly customers should compare the assets and workflows they would need to migrate with the features and cost of changing platforms.
- A startup needs QR codes for printed materials they cannot reprint.
- Compare lifecycle
- Both products use managed redirects for dynamic codes. QRLynx quota-pauses overflow after a downgrade. Bitly says default bit.ly links continue after downgrade, while custom-domain behavior depends on DNS, SSL, and registration.
- A developer needs an API to generate QR codes programmatically at scale.
- Depends on API scope
- QRLynx exposes its scoped QR API from Business at $29/mo. Bitly API access begins on Free with 1,000 requests per month and includes official TypeScript, OpenAPI, Android, and iOS resources.
- A growth team wants real-time scan analytics with geographic + device breakdowns.
- Depends on required fields
- QRLynx adds country detail on Pro and city/device/browser detail on Business. Bitly Core has 30 days of data, Growth 120 days, Premium 1 year, and Enterprise 2 years; available dimensions vary by tier.
- An enterprise needs SSO, an account Activity Log, and assigned customer success.
- Bitly
- Bitly Enterprise lists all three. QRLynx Enterprise includes a Dedicated Success Manager, but its public plan does not list SSO or an account Activity Log.
- A creator wants to embed payment, social, and contact QR codes for fans.
- QRLynx
- QRLynx publishes 61 QR types, including payment, social, vCard, and event types. Bitly focuses on URL-based dynamic QR Codes and GS1 2D barcodes.
QRLynx vs Bitly FAQ
- 01
Yes. Starter includes 3 active dynamic QR codes, unlimited static QR codes and scans, 3 months of analytics, basic AI scan summaries, and watermark-free raster downloads. No credit card is required.
- 02
It depends on the job. QRLynx covers 61 QR types and includes 3 active dynamic codes plus unlimited static codes on Starter. Bitly combines short links, URL-based QR Codes, landing pages, analytics, and integrations. Compare the exact payload types, API operations, analytics, governance, and migration needs.
- 03
A static QR payload can be recreated in QRLynx, although its image and design may differ. A dynamic QR code contains the original provider's redirect URL, so moving it to another provider requires reprinting the code. Without a reprint, an existing Bitly QR Code continues to depend on its original Bitly redirect.
- 04
Yes. QRLynx public REST API v1 begins on Business at $29/mo. It supports scoped dynamic URL QR creation, reading code details and scan totals, updating names and destinations, and SVG rendering. Bitly API access begins on Free with 1,000 requests per month, and Bitly publishes a TypeScript client, an OpenAPI specification, and Android and iOS mobile deep-linking SDKs.
- 05
Both products generate standard QR codes. Compatible phone cameras can scan them without a QRLynx or Bitly app, but camera support, design contrast, print quality, and physical damage can affect scanning.
- 06
QRLynx includes scan counts, time patterns, and 90 days of detailed records on every plan. Pro adds country detail. Business adds city, device, operating-system, and browser detail. Starter includes basic AI summaries, and Starter+ adds Full AI Insights.
- 07
On QRLynx, paid access continues through the billing period. Static codes are unaffected. If the lower plan cannot hold every active dynamic code, overflow is quota-paused and preserved. When capacity is available, the owner chooses which eligible paused code to restore. Bitly says default bit.ly links continue after downgrade; custom-domain links depend on DNS, SSL, and domain registration.
- 08
No. The published QRLynx plan price is the total: no per-scan fees, no API call surcharges, and no add-on costs for the listed features. Bitly publishes list prices for Free, Core, Growth, and Premium. Bitly Enterprise is custom-priced, and sales tax may apply.
- 09
Yes. QR menus, wifi codes, and table-side payment codes are top use cases. Menujo (also by Jorbox) is purpose-built for restaurant QR menus if that is your only need; QRLynx is the broader QR platform.
- 010
QRLynx is built and operated by Jorbox LLC, an independent product company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jorbox runs six products end-to-end: QRLynx, Zawjni, Menujo, Lebseh, CVPoet, and Bloomvite. No outside investment.
- 011
Both products publish safety controls. QRLynx applies risk scoring, threat-intelligence signals, domain-reputation checks, application security, and abuse controls to saved URL-based codes. Bitly says it evaluates links and QR Codes at creation and again at click or scan, and it provides a public abuse-reporting process.
- 012
Both have free tiers. QRLynx Starter includes scan analytics; Bitly Free does not include link or QR analytics. Generate and scan a code on each to compare design and workflow, then compare the required paid analytics tier if Bitly reporting is part of the evaluation.
Is QRLynx really free?
Which is better, QRLynx or Bitly?
Can I migrate my Bitly QR codes to QRLynx?
Does QRLynx have an API like Bitly?
Do QRLynx codes work on every phone like Bitly codes?
Can I track scans by location, device, and time with QRLynx?
What happens to my QR codes if I cancel?
Are there hidden fees with QRLynx?
Does QRLynx work for restaurants and physical retail?
Who is QRLynx made by?
Is Bitly safe to use?
How do I pick between them without committing?
We make QRLynx. Bitly facts come from Bitly.
This comparison is published by Jorbox LLC, the company that builds QRLynx. We have no commercial relationship with Bitly. Bitly prices, limits, and features were checked against its public pricing, support, and developer documentation on 2026-08-14. We review the page quarterly and correct it sooner when a documented fact changes. If something is wrong, tell us and we'll fix it.