Compare / OpenQR vs Bitly
OpenQR vs Bitly
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Bitly is the best-known link shortener, and it now bundles QR codes too — but its free tier is tight (a handful of QR codes, short analytics retention) and the useful limits sit behind monthly plans. OpenQR gives you unlimited free static codes with no watermark or account, dynamic codes and scan analytics on the free tier (10 codes and 7-day history; unlimited codes and full history on Pro for £4/mo), a custom oqr.to back-half, a built-in UTM builder, CSV bulk creation, a free API and an MCP server for AI agents — with an open-source core. Here's the honest breakdown, including where Bitly still leads.
Where OpenQR wins
- The free tier covers the basics with no monthly plan — dynamic codes, scan analytics, the UTM builder, CSV bulk create and the full API; Pro (£4/mo) lifts codes to unlimited and analytics to full history.
- No sign-up and no watermark: generate and download a clean code in seconds, in your browser.
- 10 dynamic codes free, unlimited on Pro (£4/mo) — where Bitly caps QR codes on its free plan and charges monthly to lift them.
- Open-source core you can self-host, audit or fork — no vendor lock-in.
- The only one of the two with a built-in MCP server, so AI agents (Claude, Cursor) can create codes directly.
Where Bitly still leads
- The most recognised short-link brand, with huge scale and reliability.
- Mature link management, team workspaces and granular reporting.
- Custom branded domains on paid plans (e.g. yourbrand.link).
- A large integrations ecosystem and long track record for enterprises.
- Higher one-shot bulk import limits on paid plans.
FAQ
Is OpenQR a free alternative to Bitly?
Yes. The generator, UTM builder, CSV bulk creation and API are free with no monthly plan, and the free tier includes 10 dynamic codes with 7-day scan analytics — with Pro (£4/mo) lifting both to unlimited and full history. Bitly's free tier caps QR codes and analytics, with the useful limits on paid plans.
Does Bitly limit how many QR codes I can make for free?
Yes — Bitly's free tier allows only a small number of QR codes and short analytics retention. OpenQR's free tier includes 10 dynamic codes and 7-day analytics, and Pro (£4/mo) makes both unlimited and full-history.
Can I move my links from Bitly to OpenQR?
For static codes, just regenerate them free here — no account needed. Dynamic short links are tied to each provider's domain, so you'd create new dynamic codes in OpenQR; the free API and CSV bulk import make moving a batch straightforward.
Where does Bitly still win?
Brand recognition and scale, mature team link-management, custom branded domains on paid plans, a large integrations ecosystem, and higher one-shot bulk import limits. Several of these are on OpenQR's roadmap.
Free, open-source, no sign-up to generate.