Every social platform gives you one link and a lot of things you'd like to put behind it. That gap created an entire category of tools, and there are now more of them than anyone needs.
Here's an honest comparison of seven, including what each is genuinely best at — and where it isn't the right choice.
What actually matters when choosing
Most of these tools look similar on the surface. The differences that show up after a month of use:
- Does the free plan carry heavy branding? Some plaster their logo across your page.
- Can you use your own domain? This is what separates a page that looks professional from one that looks borrowed.
- What analytics do you get? Total views is not enough — you want per-button clicks.
- Does it do anything else? If you also need short links and QR codes, one tool beats three subscriptions.
- How fast does it load? Bio pages open on mobile data. A slow page loses people before it renders.
1. Hide.link — best all-in-one
Hide.link includes bio pages alongside link shortening, dynamic QR codes and full click analytics in one account. If you need more than a link list — branded short links for campaigns, trackable QR codes for print — this replaces two or three tools.
- Free plan: yes
- Custom domain: yes
- Best for: anyone who needs bio pages and short links and QR codes
- Consider elsewhere if: you only ever want a link list and nothing else
2. Linktree — best known
The tool that made the category. Simple, reliable, and instantly familiar to your audience.
- Best for: beginners who want something that just works
- Watch for: free-plan branding, and features you'd expect being reserved for paid tiers
3. Beacons — best for creators who sell
Built around creator monetisation — digital products, tipping, media kits and email capture, not just links.
- Best for: creators selling directly to their audience
- Watch for: more features than you need if you just want a link page
4. Bio.link — best minimal option
Clean, fast, and free of clutter. Sets up in a couple of minutes.
- Best for: personal profiles and simple use cases
- Watch for: lighter analytics than the others
5. Carrd — best for full design control
Technically a one-page website builder rather than a bio-link tool, which is exactly why designers like it. You control the layout completely.
- Best for: people who want a real mini-site, not a button list
- Watch for: it takes longer to build, and click tracking isn't built in
6. Taplink — best for service businesses
Leans towards bookings, forms and payments — useful if your bio link needs to take an enquiry rather than just point somewhere.
- Best for: salons, clinics, tutors, local services
- Watch for: the interface is busier than the minimal options
7. Later's Link in Bio — best if you already use Later
Turns your Instagram grid into a clickable version, which is genuinely clever for shoppable content.
- Best for: existing Later customers
- Watch for: not worth adopting the whole platform just for this
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free plan | Custom domain | Also does short links | Best at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hide.link | Yes | Yes | Yes + QR codes | All-in-one |
| Linktree | Yes | Paid | No | Familiarity |
| Beacons | Yes | Paid | No | Selling |
| Bio.link | Yes | Paid | No | Simplicity |
| Carrd | Yes | Paid | No | Design control |
| Taplink | Yes | Paid | No | Bookings |
| Later | Limited | Paid | No | Shoppable grid |
Plans change frequently — check each provider's current pricing before deciding.
How to choose in one question
Do you only need a list of links, or do you also share links elsewhere?
If it's genuinely just a link list for one profile, any tool here works — pick on looks and price. If you also send campaign links, run ads, or print QR codes, a combined tool saves you money and puts all your click data in one place instead of three.
Whatever you choose, do these
- Put your most important button at the top. It gets most of the taps.
- Use your own domain if the tool allows it — it changes how trustworthy the page feels.
- Check per-button analytics, not just page views.
- Keep it short. Six buttons maximum.
- Test on a real phone over mobile data, not just your laptop.
Try the all-in-one
If you'd rather have one account than three, create a free Hide.link bio page — with short links, QR codes and analytics included.
Related reading: What is a link in bio? · How to add a link to your Instagram bio
