Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Polr VS Linked.Codes

Compare Polr VS Linked.Codes and see what are their differences

Polr logo Polr

An open source URL shortener. A great non-profit and free alternative to bit.ly, TinyURL, or goo.gl.

Linked.Codes logo Linked.Codes

Run your own SaaS for branded short links and dynamic QR codes. Your domain, your colours, your prices.
  • Polr Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Linked.Codes QR Designer
    QR Designer //
    2026-05-13
  • Linked.Codes Traffic analytics
    Traffic analytics //
    2026-05-13
  • Linked.Codes Short links with dynamic destinations
    Short links with dynamic destinations //
    2026-05-13
  • Linked.Codes Full whitelabel dashboard
    Full whitelabel dashboard //
    2026-05-13
  • Linked.Codes Accept payments via Your Stripe account
    Accept payments via Your Stripe account //
    2026-05-13
  • Linked.Codes Everything white label also emails to your customers
    Everything white label also emails to your customers //
    2026-05-13

Linked Codes is a short link and dynamic QR code platform with built-in analytics and an optional white-label SaaS layer. Every QR code is dynamic by default. Print a sticker once and re-point it forever to any of 16 destination types: website, contact card, calendar event, file, phone, SMS, email, WhatsApp, Telegram, FaceTime, map pin, payment, PayPal, UPI, crypto wallet, Wi-Fi, or plain text. The printed QR keeps working, the destination changes when you say so. Short links run on your own custom domain or a free linkedco.de subdomain. Full QR designer with body styles, eye styles, frames, fills, embedded logo, brand colours, and live scannability score. Export to SVG, PNG, JPEG, or PDF. Built-in analytics covering page views, unique visitors, MRR, sign-up conversion, paid conversion, top countries, referrers, devices, and UTM sources. No Google Analytics, no Plausible, no cookie banner, no IP storage. Visitor identity is a daily-rotating SHA-256 hash so uniques are counted without recognising anyone tomorrow. Tracking pixel library for Facebook, GA4, GTM, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X, Quora, TikTok, and Snapchat. App linking for 26 consumer apps. Password-protected links, expiry dates, UTM builder, bulk CSV import and export. Optional hosting layer turns it into a white-label SaaS. Plug in your domain, logo, Stripe, prices, and currency. Customers sign up on your domain and pay you directly. No cut taken. White-label SMTP so transactional emails leave from your own domain. Agency mode with per-client workspaces. Free tier available, with paid tiers for higher event caps and the optional hosting layer.

Polr

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

Linked.Codes

$ Details
freemium $249.0 / One-off ("Lifetime", "5k events/mo", "Unlimited", "All features")
Release Date
2026 May
Startup details
Country
Indonesia
State
Bali
Founder(s)
Dave
Employees
1 - 9

Polr features and specs

  • Open Source
    Polr is an open-source project, meaning the source code is publicly accessible and can be modified to fit individual needs.
  • Customizability
    Being open-source, Polr offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the service according to specific requirements.
  • Self-Hosted
    Polr can be self-hosted, which provides users with complete control over their data and how the service is run.
  • Advanced Features
    Includes features like URL analytics, API access, and integration capabilities that can support advanced use cases.
  • Cost-Effective
    As a free open-source solution, Polr can be more cost-effective compared to proprietary URL shortening services.
  • Privacy
    Self-hosting ensures that user data remains private and secure, with no reliance on third-party services.

Possible disadvantages of Polr

  • Technical Expertise Required
    Setting up and maintaining Polr requires a certain level of technical skill, including knowledge of web servers, databases, and PHP.
  • Maintenance
    Since Polr is self-hosted, users are responsible for maintaining the server, applying updates, and ensuring security.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial setup can be time-consuming and may involve complex configurations, especially for users without technical backgrounds.
  • Limited Support
    Being an open-source project, Polr may have limited official support, relying on community forums and documentation for troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    Self-hosting requires server resources, including hardware and hosting costs, which might be an issue for small-scale users.

Linked.Codes features and specs

  • Dynamic QR codes
    Print once, re-point forever. 20+ destination types.
  • QR designer
    Eye styles, body patterns, frames, logo, brand colours, live scannability score
  • Export formats
    SVG, PNG, JPEG, PDF
  • Custom domains
    Unlimited custom domains for dashboard and short links
  • Built-in analytics
    Page views, unique visitors, MRR, conversion, countries, referrers, devices, UTMs
  • Privacy-first
    No IP storage, no fingerprinting, no third-party trackers, no cookie banner
  • Tracking pixels
    Facebook, GA4, GTM, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X, Quora, TikTok, Snapchat
  • App linking
    Opens 26 native apps on mobile (Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, etc.)
  • Password protection
    Per-link password gates with themed prompt pages
  • White-label SaaS
    Your domain, logo, Stripe, prices, currency. We take no cut.
  • White-label SMTP
    Send transactional emails from your own domain
  • Affiliate program
    30% lifetime recurring on every referred customer

Analysis of Polr

Overall verdict

  • Polr is a good choice for individuals and organizations looking for a flexible and open-source URL shortener solution. Its ability to be self-hosted ensures data privacy and autonomy over the management of shortened URLs.

Why this product is good

  • Polr is an open-source URL shortener that offers a minimalist interface, robust features, and self-hosting capabilities, making it ideal for users who prioritize privacy and customization. It supports analytics for performance tracking and allows users to manage custom domains, offering flexibility and control over short links.

Recommended for

    Polr is recommended for developers, tech-savvy users, small businesses, and privacy-conscious individuals who need a customizable URL shortening service with the ability to host their own instance and have control over their data and URLs.

Analysis of Linked.Codes

Overall verdict

  • Linked.Codes appears to be a link-in-bio and QR code management tool that offers a straightforward way to consolidate multiple links and generate scannable codes for marketing or social media use. Based on the general category it belongs to, it can be a solid, budget-friendly option for individuals and small businesses needing simple link organization, though it may lack some advanced analytics or customization found in more established competitors like Linktree or Bitly.

Why this product is good

  • Provides a simple, centralized hub for multiple links, useful for social media bios
  • Includes QR code generation, which is handy for offline-to-online marketing
  • Likely easy to set up without technical expertise required
  • Potentially more affordable or has a generous free tier compared to bigger-name competitors

Recommended for

  • Small business owners wanting a simple link hub for social media profiles
  • Content creators and influencers needing to share multiple links in one place
  • Users who want basic QR code generation for print materials or events
  • Budget-conscious individuals looking for a lightweight alternative to premium link-management tools

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Polr and Linked.Codes)
URL Shortener
98 98%
2% 2
Link Management
97 97%
3% 3
Branded URLs
100 100%
0% 0
QR Codes
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Polr and Linked.Codes.

What makes your product unique?

Linked.Codes's answer:

Most short link and QR tools charge monthly forever and stop working when you cancel, killing your printed QR codes. Linked Codes flips that. Pay once, own the platform, every QR is dynamic by default, and you can optionally white-label the whole thing and resell it as your own SaaS with your own Stripe and pricing.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Linked.Codes's answer:

Three reasons. One, you can run it as your own white-label SaaS. Your domain, logo, Stripe, prices, currency. Customers pay you directly, no cut taken. Two, every QR code is dynamic with 16 destination types (URL, vCard, Wi-Fi, payment, calendar, file, WhatsApp, UPI, crypto, and more). Three, analytics are built in (MRR, conversion, countries, referrers) with no Google Analytics, no Plausible, no cookie banner, no IP storage.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Linked.Codes's answer:

Founders launching their own SaaS, agencies adding branded links and QR codes to client deliverables, marketers running campaigns, and small businesses (restaurants, hotels, cafes, Airbnbs) using dynamic Wi-Fi QR codes and printed QR codes that survive password rotations and campaign changes.

What's the story behind your product?

Linked.Codes's answer:

Built it because every short link and QR tool wanted a monthly fee for things that should be paid once. Custom domains locked behind enterprise plans, analytics bolted on through Google, printed QR codes that stop working the moment you cancel. The white-label SaaS layer came next, because the same platform that runs your own links can run your customers' too if you want to make money from it.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Linked.Codes's answer:

Node.js, Postgres, Cloudflare for TLS and edge redirects, Stripe for the optional hosting layer.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Polr and Linked.Codes

Polr Reviews

10 Excellent Google URL Shortener Alternatives
Since Polr is open-source, it is entirely free to use and self-host. However, you will need some technical knowledge to set up and maintain your own URL shortener using Polr. Alternatively, you can opt for their hosting service, which requires custom pricing.
Source: bitly.com
11 Best Bitly Alternatives & Similar URL Shorteners
More than anything, Polr is free and an excellent choice for those who master technical knowledge. Before committing to this platform, you can check out its robust demo page. Once you create an account, you can manage and monitor each link you have made effortlessly.
The 8 Best Alternatives to Google URL Shortener
Polr is an open-source project that allows people with the technical know-how to host their own URL shortener. It's available through the Polr project page and from GitHub. You can use the tool as-is or fork it if you have the programming abilities to do so. (If you're so inclined, it's written in PHP and Lumen, using MySQL as its primary database.) Though similar to Yourls,...
Source: zapier.com
The 5 Best Alternatives to Google URL Shortener
Polr is an open-source project that allows people with the technical know-how to host their own URL shortener. It's available through the Polr project page and from GitHub. You can use the tool as-is or fork it if you have the programming abilities to do so. (If you're so inclined, it's written in PHP and Lumen, using MySQL as its primary database.) Though similar to Yourls,...
Source: zapier.com

Linked.Codes Reviews

We have no reviews of Linked.Codes yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Polr seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Polr mentions (2)

  • Copying microsofts aka.ms links with our internal Dns to help stop phishing
    That said, setting up a URL shortener to forward HTTP requests it pretty trivial. There are open source projects that already exist for this purpose. For example, https://polrproject.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Angular Project Ideas For Beginners 2022
    This is one of the trending angular project for beginners. In this application, the main feature will be the input for the link youโ€™d like to shorten and the resultโ€™s output space. You can check the Polr for example. It is an open-source web application written in PHP and powered by Lumen. It uses MySQL as the primary database and provides a robust interface to manage your links. You can host it on your domain to... - Source: dev.to / over 4 years ago

Linked.Codes mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Linked.Codes yet. Tracking of Linked.Codes recommendations started around May 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Polr and Linked.Codes, you can also consider the following products

Bitly - Get the most out of your social and online marketing efforts. Own, understand and activate your best audience through the power of the link with Bitly Enterprise.

YOURLS - YOURLS is a website that contains all the tools you need to create and launch your very own URL shortener. URL shorteners like bitly or TinyURL are fine for public use, but they offer limited options in terms of URL customization.

QR.io - Generate fully customized QR Codes, with color shape & logo

TinyURL - Are you sick of posting URLs in emails only to have it break when sent causing the recipient to...

QR-Code Generator - QR Code Generator lets you create memorable marketing campaigns with trackable QR Codesโ€”designed by you.

Lstu - A nice and open source url shortener. You can use it as service or install it on your own server.