bitly alternative

Bitly Alternative: QR-First, Not Link-First

Looking for a Bitly QR code alternative? QR Nova supports 6 QR types (not just URLs), permanent redirects, and transparent pricing. No link shortener baggage.

Common pain points

Bitly

Why teams switch from Bitly

Bitly is a popular QR code generator with genuine strengths. But teams switching to QR Nova consistently cite the same friction points that make Bitly hard to stick with long-term.

QR codes are a secondary feature — Bitly is a link shortener first, QR second. Feature depth reflects that priority
Only URL-based QR codes — no WiFi, vCard, Menu, or PDF types. Every QR code is just a URL redirect
Free tier gives you just 2 QR codes per month with Bitly branding. Dynamic codes from trials expire and break printed materials
Pricing cliff from Growth ($29/mo) to Premium ($199/mo) with no mid-tier option — 585% jump

QR Nova vs Bitly — detailed comparison

QR Nova vs Bitly — detailed comparison
FeatureQR NovaBitly
QR codes work after cancellationYes — permanent redirects guaranteedNo — dynamic codes stop working
QR code typesURL, vCard, WiFi, PDF, Menu, Link Page (6 types)URL only
Free dynamic QR codes3 codes, no expiration2 codes/month, Bitly branding
Custom domainFrom Business plan ($29/mo)From Growth plan ($29/mo)
Scan limitsUnlimited from Business ($29/mo)Not disclosed
Data export (CSV)From Starter planLimited export
API accessFrom Starter ($9/mo) — 5,000 calls/dayFrom Core ($10/mo)
Monthly billingAlways availableAnnual billing only on Core plan
Pricing jump to advanced featuresBusiness $29/mo → Premium $79/mo (2.7x)Growth $29/mo → Premium $199/mo (6.8x)

What you get with QR Nova

QR Nova is built on a simple promise: your QR codes work forever. Beyond that, we focus on transparency, portability, and real support — the things that matter when your business depends on printed codes.

6 QR code types — URL, WiFi, vCard, Menu, PDF, Link Page — not just URL redirects
Permanent redirects even after cancellation — guaranteed in our Terms of Service
Transparent pricing with no 585% tier jump — Business $29/mo, Premium $79/mo
CSV data export from Starter plan — your data is always yours
3 free dynamic QR codes that never expire — not 2 codes with forced branding
Built for QR codes specifically — every feature designed around QR, not link shortening

The QR Nova advantage

Bitly alternative — frequently asked questions

Is QR Nova a good Bitly alternative for QR codes?

Yes, if QR codes are your priority. Bitly is excellent for link management but treats QR as a secondary feature — only URL-based codes, limited customization, and a pricing structure built around links, not QR. QR Nova is built QR-first with 6 code types, permanent redirects, and pricing designed for QR use cases.

Does Bitly support WiFi or vCard QR codes?

No. Bitly QR codes only encode URLs (via bit.ly short links). For WiFi, vCard, Menu, or PDF QR codes, you need a dedicated QR platform. QR Nova supports all 6 types natively.

Why is Bitly's Premium plan $199/month?

Bitly's Premium tier includes city-level analytics and mobile deep linking — features that dedicated QR platforms offer at lower prices. QR Nova's Business plan ($29/mo) includes unlimited scans with location and device analytics, and Premium ($79/mo) adds team management.

What happens to my QR codes if I cancel Bitly?

Bitly dynamic QR codes stop redirecting if your subscription ends. Printed materials with those codes become useless. QR Nova guarantees permanent redirects — your codes keep working forever, even after cancellation.

What happens to my QR codes if I cancel QR Nova?

They keep working. Every dynamic QR code created on QR Nova continues redirecting to its destination permanently. You lose editing and analytics, but the redirect never stops. This is guaranteed in our Terms of Service.

Switch from link shortener QR to QR-first

6 QR code types, permanent redirects, and transparent pricing. No link shortener baggage.

Create free QR code
Free forever6 QR typesCodes never expireCancel anytime

QR Nova