Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shlink VS CodeDibs

Compare Shlink VS CodeDibs and see what are their differences

Shlink logo Shlink

A self-hosted URL shortener

CodeDibs logo CodeDibs

Dynamic QR codes you own forever. No subscription, no expiry, no reprinting.
  • Shlink Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-08
  • CodeDibs Hero
    Hero //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs QR Code Customization
    QR Code Customization //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs QR Destination Change
    QR Destination Change //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs Analytics
    Analytics //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs Dashboard
    Dashboard //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs Create QR Code
    Create QR Code //
    2026-03-04
  • CodeDibs Pricing
    Pricing //
    2026-03-04

CodeDibs is a QR code platform that lets small businesses, freelancers, and marketing agencies update their codes anytime, without paying a monthly fee to keep them active.

Most QR code platforms tie dynamic QR codes to an active subscription. Stop paying and the codes stop working, which creates a real problem when they're already printed on menus, signage, event materials, or product packaging. CodeDibs takes a different approach. Dynamic QR codes are sold with lifetime access, meaning you purchase once and the code stays active and editable indefinitely. There's no monthly fee keeping them alive, and no risk of losing functionality if your budget changes.

From your dashboard, you can update where any dynamic QR code points at any time. Whether a promotion ends, a link changes, or you need to redirect traffic to a new page, the update takes seconds and your existing printed materials stay relevant. Dynamic QR codes are also fully customizable with your own colors, logo, and text, and support UTM parameters for campaign tracking. Static QR codes are free to create for anyone, and upgrading one to dynamic is a single click whenever you're ready.

For users who want deeper reporting, CodeDibs offers an optional analytics subscription with detailed scan data showing when, where, and how people are scanning. This layer is entirely separate from your purchased dynamic QR codes. Cancelling the analytics subscription, or never subscribing at all, has no effect on whether your codes function.

CodeDibs is built around a simple, transparent model: static codes are free, dynamic QR codes are a one-time purchase, and analytics are optional. No hidden fees, no codes held hostage behind a paywall, and no surprises when a subscription lapses. For any business that relies on printed materials, it's a more durable and cost-effective way to use QR codes.

Shlink

Website
shlink.io
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

CodeDibs

$ Details
freemium $29.99 / One-off (Lifetime Access to 1 Dynamic QR Code)
Platforms
Web SaaS Webflow
Release Date
2026 March
Startup details
Country
Canada
State
Ontario
City
Woodbridge
Founder(s)
Eric Korber, Rowen Mardini
Employees
1 - 9

Shlink features and specs

  • Self-Hosted
    Shlink is a self-hosted URL shortener, providing full control over your data. You can deploy it on your own server and manage the privacy and security of your shortened links.
  • Custom Domains
    Shlink supports the use of custom domains for shortened URLs, allowing you to maintain consistent branding and a professional appearance.
  • Detailed Analytics
    Shlink offers comprehensive analytics, including geographic breakdowns, referrers, and device types, allowing you to gain valuable insights into your link traffic.
  • REST API
    Shlink comes with a powerful REST API, enabling developers to integrate URL shortening functionality into their own applications with ease.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Shlink invites community contributions and code audits, ensuring the software continues to improve and remain secure.
  • QR Code Generation
    Shlink can automatically generate QR codes for each shortened URL, providing an easy way to share links in physical media.
  • Webhooks
    Shlink supports webhooks, allowing for real-time notifications and triggering of actions when certain events, such as link clicks, occur.

Possible disadvantages of Shlink

  • Setup Complexity
    Setting up Shlink requires some technical knowledge, including server management and configuration, which might be a barrier for users without technical expertise.
  • Maintenance
    As a self-hosted solution, Shlink requires regular maintenance and updates to ensure security and performance, which can be time-consuming.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Shlink on your own server can consume significant resources, especially with high traffic volumes, necessitating a robust hosting environment.
  • Lack of Premium Support
    Being an open-source project, Shlink does not offer official, dedicated premium support, which might be a drawback for businesses needing immediate assistance.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive feature set and customization options of Shlink come with a learning curve, requiring time and effort to master all functionalities.

CodeDibs features and specs

  • Dynamic QR Code
    Update destination links whenever you need to, and fully customize the appearance and branding of your QR code.
  • Static QR Code
    A free static QR code to help you get started, with a one-click upgrade option to access full dynamic QR code features and customization.
  • Analytics Pro
    Detailed analytics access tracking time-series data such as scan count, location, device, browser and more.

Analysis of Shlink

Overall verdict

  • Shlink is a robust and flexible URL shortening solution, particularly favored by those who prefer self-hosting for privacy reasons. Its comprehensive set of features and ease of integration make it a good choice for users with technical knowledge who want to maintain their data sovereignty.

Why this product is good

  • Shlink is a self-hosted URL shortener that provides privacy-focused features. It allows you to create and manage short links with advanced features like custom slugs, URL tags, and detailed analytics. Its self-hosted nature ensures that you have full control over your data, which is a significant advantage for those concerned with privacy and data ownership. Additionally, Shlink supports features such as QR code generation, REST API integrations, and Geolocation and Device Targeting for enhanced link customization.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy individuals or organizations seeking to self-host their URL shortener
  • Privacy-conscious users who want to retain control over their data
  • Developers looking for a URL shortener with robust API support
  • Businesses that require advanced analytics and customization features for their URLs

Analysis of CodeDibs

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified information about CodeDibs (codedibs.com) to make a reliable assessment. This doesn't appear to be a widely recognized or documented product/service in my training data, so I can't confirm its features, quality, reputation, or whether it's a legitimate, currently operating service.

Why this product is good

  • I lack specific, verified data about CodeDibs' features, pricing, or user reviews
  • I cannot confirm this is an active or legitimate service without direct access to browse the current website
  • Making claims about an unfamiliar product risks providing inaccurate information

Recommended for

  • Anyone considering this service should visit codedibs.com directly to review current offerings
  • Check independent review sites (Trustpilot, G2, Reddit) for user feedback
  • Verify company legitimacy through domain registration lookup and business registration checks
  • Look for contact information, terms of service, and privacy policy on the site itself
  • Consider reaching out to their support team with questions before committing to any purchase

Shlink videos

2020 Wine Reviews: Shlink Haus Wines

CodeDibs videos

No CodeDibs videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shlink and CodeDibs)
Link Management
96 96%
4% 4
Dynamic QR Codes
0 0%
100% 100
URL Shortener
100 100%
0% 0
Branded URLs
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Shlink and CodeDibs.

What makes your product unique?

CodeDibs's answer:

Most QR code platforms tie dynamic codes to an active subscription. Stop paying, and the codes stop working. That's a real problem when they're already printed on menus, signage, or packaging. With CodeDibs, purchased codes are yours permanently. The optional analytics subscription is there for users who want deeper scan reporting, but cancelling it (or never subscribing) has no effect on your codes. Static codes are free, dynamic codes are a one-time purchase, analytics are optional. That's the whole model.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

CodeDibs's answer:

Small business owners, freelancers and marketing agencies who need QR codes.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

CodeDibs's answer:

The app is hosted on AWS and the front end is built with React. The marketing site is built on WebFlow.

What's the story behind your product?

CodeDibs's answer:

My co-founder and I were tired of seeing all these dynamic QR code platforms where you had to constantly keep paying to retain access and functionality of your QR codes. It just seemed ridiculous, and so we built our own solution to this: CodeDibs.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

CodeDibs's answer:

Because the competitors lock you into a never-ending subscription trap, where you constantly need to pay to keep your QR codes functioning and active. Our model offers QR codes with lifetime access by default.

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shlink seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 14 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.

Shlink mentions (14)

  • How I Built a Scalable, Free URL Shortener.
    Building a URL shortener from scratch? Nah, youโ€™re crazy! Instead, we grabbed a trusty open-source solution thatโ€™s already been battle-tested. By using this ready-made tool, we skipped the drama of starting from zero and cut our development time way down. This gave us more time to focus on making our app and management system even betterโ€”plus, it saved us from pulling out our hair! - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: An open-source alternative to Bitly
    Last big project at my old job was for an appointment notification service. In addition to making messages longer and thus costing us more, counterintuitively the unshortened URLs got flagged as spam by automated systems and end users more than shortened. However, you canโ€™t use bitly or other free/public shorteners; use one hosted on your own domain. I used shlink https://shlink.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Copying microsofts aka.ms links with our internal Dns to help stop phishing
    IF you just want to setup an internal link shortener, there is software out there for it. We do it at my company. The best one I've found is Shlink: https://shlink.io/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Shlink CLI issue
    I have just set up shlink.io via /r/portainer and docker-compose. Now I have tried opening the CLI to generate an API key which I need for the shlink web interface but unfortunately it closes in a fraction of a second after bin/cli, showing all available arguments. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Permanent URL to file possible?
    Are you looking for stable HTTP/S URLs that you can publish for others to access? One solution to that might be to purchase your own domain and host a little redirector service that bounces the consumer to the real, currently active, cloud URL. Something like https://shlink.io/ might work (but Iโ€™ve not used it, and thatโ€™s just a suggestion not a recommendation!). Source: over 3 years ago
View more

CodeDibs mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of CodeDibs yet. Tracking of CodeDibs recommendations started around Mar 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Shlink and CodeDibs, 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.

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

Uniqode - Uniqode: Revolutionizing QR Codes, Simplifying Solutions.

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.

FlowCode - Flowcode is a graphical programming language and IDE for devices such as Arduino or PIC microcontrollers as well as Raspberry Pi.

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