The short answer
If your work is mostly short links across many channels, with integrations and enterprise controls, Bitly is a mature choice. If your work is printed QR codes that must keep working, QR Maker’s limits are friendlier for small teams: three active dynamic codes free, no cap on destination edits, and paid plans from $3.99 a month with month-to-month billing. Bitly’s own pricing page lists changing a destination (“Redirects”) as not included on the free plan and capped on paid plans.
Plans and limits side by side
| Bitly | QR Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan, QR codes | 2 QR codes per month | 3 active dynamic codes, plus unlimited static codes |
| Free plan, scans | Unlimited scans and clicks | 500 tracked scans a month; past that, codes keep redirecting and only tracking pauses |
| Changing a destination after printing | Not included on Free. Core 5 a month, Growth 20 a month, Premium 110 a month (“Redirects”) | No cap on edits to a dynamic code’s destination |
| First paid tier | Core: $10 a month, annual billing only ($120 a year), 5 QR codes a month | Pro: $3.99 a month or $34.99 a year; unlimited active codes |
| Around $29 a month | Growth: $29 a month billed annually ($348 a year), 10 QR codes a month | Business: $29 a month or $279 a year; unlimited codes, REST API, embeddable analytics, custom short-link domain |
| Custom short-link domain | Listed with the Growth plan on Bitly’s pricing page | Business plan: one custom domain per account |
| Month-to-month billing | Core is annual only; others offer a monthly option | Monthly and annual plans |
| Languages | See Bitly’s site | Seven: English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, Japanese, German, French |
Competitor figures are taken from each company’s public pricing page, checked October 2026. Plans change, so confirm current terms before you buy. Sources: Bitly pricing.
Where Bitly is the better choice
- Link management at scale. If you manage thousands of short links, branded back-halves and campaign reporting across many channels, a dedicated link platform is built for that.
- Integrations and enterprise controls. Larger organizations with existing tooling around Bitly may prefer to stay in one place.
- Familiarity. Many teams already know it, and a known vendor is easier to approve.
Where QR Maker fits better
- Printed codes that cannot be reprinted. Packaging, signs and menus need destinations you can change without a cap, which dynamic codes here allow on every plan.
- Small budgets. Pro at $3.99 a month undercuts most paid tiers elsewhere.
- Business features without an enterprise contract. The $29 Business plan adds a REST API (50,000 calls a month), embeddable scan analytics and a custom short-link domain.
- Many languages. The site is available in seven languages.
Moving from Bitly
A printed QR code points to the address inside it. Codes that contain a Bitly link keep using Bitly, so moving does not break anything already printed. For new print runs, create the codes here. For old ones, keep the Bitly plan as long as those codes are in circulation, or point their Bitly destinations to a page that sends visitors on to the new address.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change a Bitly QR code’s destination on the free plan?
According to Bitly’s pricing page in October 2026, redirects (changing the destination of links and QR codes) are not included on the Free plan, and paid plans cap them per month.
Is QR Maker really free?
Yes. The free plan includes three active dynamic QR codes and unlimited static codes, with 500 tracked scans a month. If you pass the scan limit, your codes keep redirecting; only tracking pauses until the next month or an upgrade.
How much is QR Maker compared with Bitly?
Pro is $3.99 a month ($34.99 a year). Business is $29 a month ($279 a year). Bitly’s listed paid plans start at $10 a month on annual billing. Check each pricing page for the current figures.
Do I need a credit card to try QR Maker?
No. You can create static codes without an account, and the free plan needs no card.