Bitly Is a Link Shortener, Not a QR Platform
Disclosure: Published by EZQR.
Bitly started in 2008 as a URL shortener. QR codes were added later as a feature, not the core product. And it shows. Bitly QR codes only support URL destinations. You can't create a WiFi QR code, a vCard, a PDF QR code, an email QR code, or any of the other content types that businesses actually need.
If all you need is a URL shortened into a QR code, Bitly works. But that's a narrow use case. Restaurants need WiFi and menu codes. Real estate agents need vCard codes. Event organizers need ticket and check-in codes. Bitly can't do any of that.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | EZQR | Bitly |
|---|---|---|
| QR types | 50+ (URL, WiFi, vCard, PDF, email, phone, etc.) | URL only |
| Free QR codes/month | Unlimited static, 3 dynamic | 2 codes/month |
| Pro-level pricing | $10/mo (100 dynamic codes) | $35/mo (100 codes/month) |
| Unlimited QR codes | Max plan, $20/mo | Not available at any price |
| Design presets | 22 presets, 10+ dot patterns | Basic color + logo only |
| Custom CSS | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Scannability check | Yes (ISO/IEC 18004) | No |
| Analytics | Unique views, geo, device, time trends | Link clicks (not QR-specific) |
| QR-specific analytics | Yes (device breakdown, geo, unique views) | No (merged with link clicks) |
| Ad intercept on free tier | None | Yes (interstitial ads) |
| Showcase/landing pages | Yes | No |
| Password protection | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Link scheduling | Yes (Pro) | No |
Pricing: Per-Code Limits vs Unlimited
Bitly charges per QR code per month. Their free tier gives you 2 QR codes/month. The Core plan at $35/mo gives 100 codes/month. The Premium plan at $199/mo gives 200 codes/month. There's no unlimited option at any price.
EZQR Pro is $10/mo for 100 dynamic QR codes. No monthly caps. If you're creating more than a handful of codes, the math isn't close.
Bitly also shows interstitial ads and "suspicious link" warnings on free-tier redirects. Multiple Reddit users report legitimate business links being flagged. That doesn't happen with EZQR.
QR Features Side by Side
EZQR supports 50+ QR content types: URL, WiFi, vCard, PDF, email, phone, text, Instagram, YouTube, App Store, and more. Each type has a dedicated generator with type-specific options.
Bitly supports URLs only. You create a shortened link, then generate a QR code for that link. There's no dedicated QR editor with dot patterns, eye shapes, frames, or color gradients. Bitly's customization is limited to basic color changes and logo upload.
EZQR also offers showcase pages (shareable landing pages with your QR code and download options). Bitly has nothing comparable. For analytics, Bitly tracks link clicks, which includes QR scans. But there's no QR-specific analytics like scan device breakdown or geographic data separate from link clicks.
When Bitly Makes Sense
If you're already paying for Bitly for link management and just need an occasional URL QR code, it's convenient to use Bitly's built-in QR generator. No reason to add another tool.
But if QR codes are a meaningful part of your business (menus, business cards, product packaging, event materials), a purpose-built QR platform like EZQR gives you more content types, better customization, and a lower price per code.
