Software Alternatives & Startups

QR Code API VS Cutt.ly

Compare QR Code API VS Cutt.ly and see what are their differences

QR Code API

Rich Featured QR Code generator API

Rating
0 reviews
Cutt.ly

Free custom URL shortener with analytics, branded short links with advanced link tracking, QR codes, analytics, and an all-in-one Link Management Platform & API. Easily shorten and manage your URLs with Cuttly - Complete URL Shortener Solution.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium $12 / Monthly

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Cutt.ly seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 3 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 3
QR Code Generator popularity
8% vs 92%
alternatives listed
136 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

QRC
QR Code API
Cutt.ly
Website apitier.com cutt.ly
Pricing —
Freemium $12 / Monthly Official pricing
Company — Startup from Poland · 1 - 9 employees · 2018
Listed in

About QR Code API and Cutt.ly

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

QRC
QR Code API
Cutt.ly

No description of QR Code API yet.

Cuttly is a modern link management platform designed for marketers, creators, and teams. It lets you create branded short links on your own domain, generate fully customizable QR codes with logos, colors, and shapes, and track detailed analytics - including time, device, and location. Cuttly also...

Read more about Cutt.ly

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

QRC
QR Code API 5 features
Cutt.ly 14 features
  • Easy Integration
    The QR Code API from API Tier provides a straightforward RESTful interface that makes it easy to integrate QR code generation into any application, website, or workflow with minimal coding effort.
  • Customizable QR Codes
    The API allows users to customize QR code parameters such as size, format, and the data encoded, giving developers flexibility to tailor QR codes to their specific use cases.
  • Cloud-Based and Scalable
    As a cloud-hosted API service, there is no need to install or maintain QR code generation libraries locally. The service scales automatically to handle varying volumes of requests.
  • Multiple Use Cases Supported
    The API supports encoding various types of data including URLs, text, and other content into QR codes, making it suitable for marketing, payments, authentication, inventory management, and more.
  • Free Tier Available
    API Tier offers a free tier or trial plan that allows developers to test and experiment with the QR Code API before committing to a paid subscription, lowering the barrier to entry.

Possible disadvantages

  • Rate Limits and Usage Caps
    Like most API services, the QR Code API likely imposes rate limits and usage caps, especially on free or lower-tier plans, which could be restrictive for high-volume applications.
  • Internet Dependency
    Being a cloud-based API, it requires a reliable internet connection to generate QR codes. Any network downtime or API service outage would disrupt QR code generation capabilities.
  • Limited Advanced Customization
    Compared to dedicated QR code libraries, the API may offer fewer advanced customization options such as logo embedding, color gradients, or artistic QR code styles that some use cases may require.
  • Third-Party Dependency
    Relying on an external service for QR code generation introduces a dependency on API Tier's infrastructure, pricing decisions, and continued availability, which could pose risks for long-term projects.
  • Cost at Scale
    While a free tier may be available, costs can increase significantly as usage scales up. For applications generating large volumes of QR codes, the recurring API fees may become expensive compared to self-hosted solutions.
  • URL Shortening
    Cuttly enables you to shorten and brand URLs instantly using your own custom domain. Each short link includes full analytics and editing options, making it more than just a basic shortener.
  • Customization
    Cuttly allows users to fully customize their shortened URLs with branded domains, editable slugs, and personalized QR codes, making every link on-brand and memorable.
  • Analytics
    Cuttly provides detailed analytics for every short link, including clicks, referrers, locations, devices, and time-of-day insights, helping users understand their audience and engagement.
  • QR Code Generation
    Users can generate dynamic QR codes directly from Cuttly, complete with logos, colors, shapes, and short links that can be edited later without reprinting.
  • Link in Bio
    Cuttly includes an integrated Link-in-Bio page builder, allowing users to create customizable bio pages with their own domains, short links, QR codes, and analytics — ideal for creators and brands.
  • Surveys
    Create and share short surveys directly through Cuttly links to gather quick feedback from your audience. Responses are collected and visualized within your dashboard, alongside your link analytics.
  • Campaign Analytics
    Aggregate data from multiple links or QR codes into a single campaign report to measure ROI and compare results across channels.
  • API Access
    The Cuttly API lets developers automate link creation, analytics retrieval, and campaign tracking, with endpoints for branded domains, QR codes, and deep integration into existing tools.
  • Link Management
    The platform includes full link management features — create, edit, organize, archive, password-protect, and set expiration dates — all from a simple, unified dashboard.
  • Security
    Cuttly uses HTTPS for all links and provides optional password protection, expiration dates, and spam detection to ensure link safety and reliability.
  • Team Collaboration
    Manage team members, assign roles, and share branded domains securely across projects, enabling agencies and businesses to collaborate effectively.
  • Bulk Shortening
    Upload multiple URLs via CSV and shorten them instantly, complete with analytics tracking and campaign grouping for large-scale marketing workflows.
  • Web-based (SaaS)
    Accessible via browser on any device — desktop, tablet, or mobile.
  • API / Developer Integration
    REST API for programmatic link management and analytics.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

QRC
QR Code API
Cutt.ly

Overall verdict

  • QR Code API by apitier.com is a solid, developer-friendly solution for generating QR codes programmatically, offering reliable performance, easy integration, and flexible customization at competitive pricing.

Why this product is good

  • Simple RESTful API that integrates quickly into web and mobile applications
  • Supports customization options such as colors, sizes, and formats
  • Reliable uptime and fast response times for real-time QR code generation
  • Affordable pricing tiers including free options for testing and low-volume use
  • Clear documentation that reduces development and onboarding time
  • Scalable to handle both small projects and high-volume enterprise needs

Recommended for

  • Developers building apps that require dynamic QR code generation
  • Startups and small businesses needing cost-effective QR solutions
  • E-commerce platforms adding QR codes for payments or product links
  • Marketing teams creating trackable QR campaigns
  • Enterprises requiring scalable, high-volume QR code generation
  • Event organizers generating QR codes for tickets and check-ins

Overall verdict

  • Cutt.ly is a competent URL shortening service that offers additional features beyond simple link shortening.

Why this product is good

  • Cutt.ly provides users with a range of tools such as link analytics, custom branded domains, and QR code generation. Its user-friendly interface and ability to handle custom URLs make it appealing for both personal and business use. However, as with any online service, user experiences may vary, and it’s important to assess if its features align with your specific needs.

Recommended for

  • Businesses looking to implement branded links
  • Marketing professionals who need detailed analytics on link performance
  • Social media managers aiming to share concise, trackable links
  • Individuals who frequently share URLs and want more control over their links

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

QRC
QR Code API 1 video + Add
Cutt.ly 1 video + Add

How to create a QR code API - Part 1

Cuttly - URL Shortener

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
QRC
QR Code API
Cutt.ly
8% 8%
92% 92%
2% 2%
98% 98%
100% 100%
0% 0%
3% 3%
97% 97%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing QR Code API and Cutt.ly.

What makes your product unique?

Cutt.ly's answer:

Cuttly combines simplicity with depth. Unlike many shorteners, it’s not just about shortening URLs - it’s a complete link management platform.

Users can:

  • create branded short links,
  • design customizable QR codes,
  • collect feedback with surveys,
  • and build link-in-bio pages,

all tracked in detailed analytics. Cuttly unifies tools for creators, marketers, and businesses that value data, brand control, and flexibility.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Cutt.ly's answer:

Cuttly offers more control and transparency than traditional link shorteners.

You can:

  • manage branded domains,
  • generate dynamic QR codes with logos and colors,
  • run aggregated analytics for campaigns,
  • and gather audience insights with built-in surveys.

It’s affordable, privacy-focused, and constantly evolving - giving users features that other tools hide behind enterprise plans.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Cutt.ly's answer:

Cuttly serves:

  • marketers managing digital campaigns,
  • creators and influencers using bio links and QR codes,
  • businesses that rely on analytics and branding.

From a single freelancer to an agency managing hundreds of links, Cuttly scales effortlessly for every use case.

What's the story behind your product?

Cutt.ly's answer:

Cuttly started as a simple, fast URL shortener built by a developer passionate about data and analytics. Over time, it evolved into a full link management ecosystem - adding branded domains, dynamic QR codes, campaign insights, and team features.

The mission remains clear: make smart link management accessible to everyone, not just enterprise users.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Cutt.ly's answer:

  • Marketing agencies managing multiple brands
  • E-commerce companies tracking QR codes on packaging
  • Publishers and media groups analyzing audience engagement
  • Educational and non-profit organizations sharing branded links
  • Independent creators and SaaS startups using branded analytics tools

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Cutt.ly's answer:

Cuttly runs on modern, secure, and scalable infrastructure optimized for speed, reliability, and data protection — handling millions of links and analytics events seamlessly.

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

QRC
QR Code API no reviews yet
Cutt.ly no reviews yet

We have no reviews of QR Code API yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

QRC
QR Code API 0 mentions
Cutt.ly 3 mentions

Tracking QR Code API since Jan 2023.

  • Cutt.ly – URL Shortener
    Hi HN, I'm the founder of Cuttly — a modern link management platform that goes beyond shortening URLs. Cuttly lets you create branded short links, generate customizable QR codes with logos and colors, build link-in-bio pages, run short... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • HTML Tags: Most Beginner does not know (Part 3)
    If you notice I have place 4 images from same site and I am repeatedly using that site. So why not to common this "https://cutt.ly" site, like this:. - Source: dev.to / about 4 years ago
  • Building a URL shortener with Node.js
    URL shorteners like Bitly and Cuttly are incredibly popular. In this article, we are going to create a similar tool by building an API service that shortens the URLs provided to it. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago

Alternatives to QR Code API and Cutt.ly

When comparing QR Code API and Cutt.ly, you can also consider the following products.