Marketing
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow you only one link in your bio. One link to drive traffic to your website, promote your latest campaign, or share your content. So it’s essential to choose the correct link in bio tool to encourage clicks and boost conversions.
Linktree has dominated this space for years, while Bitly has more recently built its link in bio solution. Both have their loyal users, but do either of them really deliver what creators and marketing teams need?
In this article, we’ll break down how Linktree and Bitly stack up for marketers, highlight the key differences that matter for campaign performance, and explain why Rebrandly’s Link Gallery is becoming the go-to choice for teams serious about performance.
What is Linktree?
Linktree launched in 2016 as the first major solution for social platforms’ single-link limitation. It quickly became the standard for creators and influencers who needed to share multiple resources from one simple landing page.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop link builder
- Customizable pages with themes and branding options
- Basic performance analytics
- Third-party integrations (YouTube, Shopify, etc.)
Who it works best for
Linktree works well for creators, influencers, and small businesses who want a simple way to share multiple links from their social bios.
Pricing
The free tier includes a branded linktr.ee/username domain with limited customization. Paid plans start at $5 per month and add features like custom domains and enhanced analytics.
Limitations for marketers
- Generic domain on free plan reduces trust and click-through rates
- Limited branding control, even on paid plans
- Frequent spam flagging on platforms like Instagram
- Platform dependency means your links live on their domain, not yours
What is Bitly’s link in bio?
Bitly built its reputation on creating generic short links. The company has since expanded into what it calls the Bitly Connections Platform, which bundles link shortening with QR codes, analytics, and a link in bio builder.
Key features
- Customizable landing page templates
- Analyt,ics including total views, clicks, and device info
- Native integration with Bitly’s link shortening and tracking tools
Who it works best for
Bitly’s link in bio tool works well for businesses already using Bitly who want to consolidate their link management tools rather than adding another platform.
Pricing
While you can create one link in bio with limited features on Bitly’s free plan, you must use their generic domain unless you upgrade to a subscription plan. Plans start at $8 per month.
Limitations for marketers
- Less specialized than dedicated link in bio platforms
- Pages use bit.ly domains unless upgraded. Generic links can limit CTR and may be flagged as spam.
- Limited design and customization options compared to competitors
Bitly vs Linktree: Key differences
Linktree offers a more tailored link in bio experience for creators and social marketers, while Bitly gives existing enterprise users a convenient add-on. However, both fall short in terms of ownership, branding, and performance.
How Rebrandly’s Link Gallery outperforms both
While both Linktree and Bitly have decent link in bio options, Rebrandly stands out for social media users who are serious about optimizing their links for brand recognition and conversion.
| Feature | Linktree | Bitly | Rebrandly |
| Branding & customization | Good design tools, custom domains only on paid plans | Limited customization; custom domains only on paid plans | Custom domains available on all plans; full brand control |
| Analytics & insights | Basic click tracking | Basic link analytics | Advanced analytics with data ownership and export abilities |
| Platform integration | Standalone tool | Integrated with other link management features. | Complete link management ecosystem with UTM tracking and other features |
| Pricing & value | Free version available with a generic domain only | Free version available with a generic domain only | Free tier with custom domain |
| Trust & reliability | Spam concerns with linktr.ee links | Bit.ly links also face trust issues on some platforms | Branded domains reduce spam risk. |
Use your own custom domain (for free!)
With Link Gallery, you can use a custom domain from day one—even on the free plan. Both Linktree and Bitly keep you on their domains unless you upgrade to higher-tier plans.
This matters because branded links get up to 39% more clicks than generic short links, and you’re not promoting someone else’s brand every time someone visits your page.
Built for marketing teams
Link Gallery connects with Rebrandly’s full link management suite, so you get URL shortening, custom QR codes, basic analytics, and UTM tracking all in one platform. Higher-tier plans offer even more conversion optimization options like destination routing and retargeting, as well as advanced analytics. This integration means less tool switching and more consistent data across your campaigns.
Better analytics and data ownership
While Linktree and Bitly offer basic click tracking, Rebrandly provides detailed analytics on user geography, devices, referrers, and time-based trends. More importantly, you own this data entirely. Whereas other platforms keep a tight grip on your data, Rebrandly offers unlimited data retention and export capabilities for your marketing stack.
Rebrandly: The smart choice for social media marketers
Linktree works if you need something basic and don’t mind generic branding. Bitly’s link in bio makes sense if you’re already paying for their platform and want to consolidate tools.
But if you’re serious about your marketing results, Rebrandly Link Gallery delivers what the others can’t: complete brand control, comprehensive analytics, enterprise security, and seamless integration with your existing marketing stack.
Your links are too important to leave on someone else’s domain. Start building your Link Gallery on your own custom domain today.