Alternatives

The best Bitly alternatives for QR codes

5 ways to make QR codes instead of Bitly, with what each is good at and the catch. We make HueQR, so it is listed first and marked; the others are described from their own sites.

Facts read on October 16, 2026. No competitor prices, because they change. The full side-by-side is on HueQR vs Bitly.

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The short answer

If you want QR codes rather than a link platform, the main Bitly alternatives are HueQR, QR Code Generator, QR TIGER, Uniqode and Flowcode. People usually look because Bitly's free plan gives two QR codes a month without redirects, and a complimentary custom domain starts on its Growth plan. HueQR does only QR codes: unlimited free static codes and your own domain included in Pro. We make HueQR, so weigh that.

Why people switch

Why look past Bitly

What Bitly's own site says, on the points that usually send people looking.

QR codes are one feature in a link management platform, not the product.
The free plan gives two QR codes a month, and redirects are marked as not included on it.
A complimentary custom domain starts on the Growth plan.
Their pricing page does not say what happens to links or codes when a plan ends.

The options

Bitly alternatives

Who each one suits, its main strength and its catch. Each links to the full comparison.

01
HueQR
WE MAKE THIS
Best for: Small businesses that print codes and need them to keep working: unlimited free static codes, your own domain in Pro, and monthly billing.
Strength
No branding on any code. No logo, no pop-up, no ad, on free or paid.
The catch
No free dynamic codes: they come with a 14-day Pro trial that takes a card up front. HueQR is also newer and smaller than most services on this list.
HueQR vs HueQR Make a free code
02
QR Code Generator
Best for: Large organisations that want an established vendor, a trial with no card, and enterprise terms.
Strength
Scale and track record. They have been generating codes for many years and handle very large accounts.
The catch
No free plan on their pricing page, and it does not say what happens to codes after the trial or when you cancel.
HueQR vs QR Code Generator Their site
03
QR TIGER
Best for: A few dynamic codes free, forever, when a 500-scan cap and a branded pop-up do not matter.
Strength
Three dynamic codes free, with no time limit, which is more than most services give away.
The catch
Free dynamic codes stop at 500 scans and show a QR TIGER pop-up, and their help centre says codes stop working once a plan expires.
HueQR vs QR TIGER Their site
04
Uniqode
Best for: Teams that need seats, integrations and enterprise features, on a yearly contract.
Strength
Team features: seats, roles, integrations, digital business cards.
The catch
Yearly billing only, and dynamic codes become inactive when the trial expires or you cancel, per their pricing page.
HueQR vs Uniqode Their site
05
Flowcode
Best for: Marketing teams that want landing pages and codes managed together, on an annual plan.
Strength
Landing pages and campaign tools in the same product as the codes.
The catch
The free plan is two codes, the upper tiers are annual, and the pricing page does not say what happens to codes when a subscription ends.
HueQR vs Flowcode Their site

Fair is fair

When to stay with Bitly

Stay if

Your team already manages links in Bitly and wants QR codes inside the same dashboard and analytics.

Switch to HueQR if

You care about how the code looks on the print, want it on your own domain without a higher tier, and want to know what happens when you stop paying.

Choosing from scratch? Read the best dynamic QR code generators.

Questions

Is Bitly good for QR codes?

It is good if you already use Bitly for links, because codes share its dashboard and analytics. If the code on the print is what matters, a QR-first tool gives you more design control and clearer rules for what happens after you print.

What is a free alternative to Bitly QR codes?

HueQR's free tier makes unlimited static codes with a logo, frames and gradients, and no watermark. Unlimited, forever. PNG with no account; SVG and PDF with a free account.

Can I keep my Bitly short links if I switch?

Codes printed with a Bitly link only redirect while Bitly serves that link. Make new codes elsewhere and replace prints over time; a code on your own domain avoids this next time.

Where did these facts come from?

Bitly's own site, read on October 16, 2026, and recorded with its source on our HueQR vs Bitly page. Plans change; check their site before deciding.

Try HueQR free

Make a static code now with no account. Or start the 14-day Pro trial: nothing charged until day 15, cancel in one click.

Make a free code See Pro pricing