Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Short.io VS Xcode

Compare Short.io VS Xcode and see what are their differences

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Short.io logo Short.io

Short.io makes short links (vanity urls) on your own domain. Free signup, analytics and API. Chrome, slack, zapier and segment integrations.

Xcode logo Xcode

Xcode is Apple’s powerful integrated development environment for creating great apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Xcode 4 includes the Xcode IDE, instruments, iOS Simulator, and the latest Mac OS X and iOS SDKs.
  • Short.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05
  • Xcode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-07-04

Short.io features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Short.io features an intuitive user interface, making it easy for users to create, customize, and manage shortened URLs.
  • Custom Domains
    Users can connect their own domains to create branded short links, which can enhance branding and trust.
  • Detailed Analytics
    Provides comprehensive analytics on link performance, including click rates, geographic distribution, and referrer information.
  • Link Management
    Offers robust link management features, such as the ability to edit URLs after they've been created, set expiration dates, and organize links into folders.
  • Integration
    Supports integration with various third-party services like Zapier, Google Analytics, and Slack, making it adaptable to different workflows.
  • Security
    Provides features like password protection and SSL encryption to ensure the security of your links.

Possible disadvantages of Short.io

  • Pricing
    Some advanced features are only available in the paid plans, which might be too costly for small businesses or individual users.
  • Limited Free Plan
    The free plan comes with limitations on the number of custom domains and links that can be created, which may not be sufficient for heavy users.
  • Learning Curve
    While generally user-friendly, some advanced features and integrations may require a bit of a learning curve for new users.
  • Support
    Customer support may not be very responsive on the free plan, potentially leading to delays in resolving issues.

Xcode features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    Xcode offers a fully integrated development environment for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. This integration includes code editing, project management, compilers, and debugging tools all in one application.
  • Interface Builder
    Interface Builder is a graphical tool included with Xcode that allows developers to design user interfaces visually. This can speed up the development process and allow for easier customization of user interfaces.
  • Swift and Objective-C Support
    Xcode provides robust support for both the Swift and Objective-C programming languages, which are essential for Apple's ecosystem.
  • Simulator
    Xcode includes simulators for all Apple devices, allowing for rapid testing and debugging of applications without the need for physical hardware.
  • In-depth Debugging Tools
    Xcode provides a comprehensive suite of debugging tools like breakpoints, stack trace analysis, and memory management tools, helping developers identify and resolve issues efficiently.
  • Performance and Profiling Tools
    Xcode includes Instruments, a powerful performance analysis and profiling toolset. This helps developers optimize the performance and memory usage of their applications.
  • Documentation and Resources
    Xcode has built-in access to extensive Apple Developer Documentation and resources, making it easier to find information and solutions related to Apple's APIs and frameworks.

Possible disadvantages of Xcode

  • macOS Exclusive
    Xcode is only available for macOS, meaning that developers must use an Apple computer to build applications for Apple's platforms.
  • Resource Intensive
    Xcode can be demanding on system resources, particularly RAM and CPU, which can affect performance on older or less powerful machines.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new developers, Xcode can be overwhelming due to its complexity and the vast array of features and options available.
  • Update Frequency
    Frequent updates to Xcode can sometimes introduce new bugs or require developers to update their project settings and code to maintain compatibility.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Capabilities
    Xcode is designed specifically for Apple's ecosystems and provides limited support for cross-platform development, restricting its use for developers targeting multiple platforms.
  • Build Times
    Build times for larger projects can become lengthy, potentially slowing down the development cycle and time to market.

Analysis of Short.io

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Short.io is considered a good choice for individuals and businesses looking for a reliable URL shortener with comprehensive features. Its ability to offer branded links, detailed analytics, and integration possibilities with other tools makes it a standout option in the market.

Why this product is good

  • Short.io is a URL shortening service known for its ease of use, robust analytics, and custom domain capabilities. It helps businesses and individuals manage and track their link performance with advanced analytics features. This can be particularly advantageous for social media marketing, branding, and data-driven strategies.

Recommended for

    Short.io is recommended for businesses, digital marketers, social media influencers, and any individuals who need to manage multiple links with custom domains while tracking detailed user engagement data.

Analysis of Xcode

Overall verdict

  • Xcode is excellent for developing applications for the Apple ecosystem, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Its comprehensive set of tools caters well to both novice and experienced developers looking to develop high-quality applications with optimal performance on Apple devices.

Why this product is good

  • Xcode is a robust integrated development environment (IDE) designed specifically for macOS, providing developers with a suite of tools for building applications for Apple's platforms. It includes a source editor, a UI design interface, debugging tools, and performance testers, which are tightly integrated to offer a seamless development experience. The frequent updates and integration with Apple's latest technologies make it an attractive choice for Apple platform developers.

Recommended for

  • Developers creating applications for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS
  • Teams looking for strong integration with Apple's technologies and devices
  • Developers who prefer working within a unified development environment optimized for Apple platforms
  • Novice programmers interested in learning Swift and app development for Apple products

Short.io videos

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Xcode videos

Getting Started: An Overview of Xcode

More videos:

  • Review - Xcode 15 - What's New

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Short.io and Xcode)
Link Management
100 100%
0% 0
IDE
0 0%
100% 100
URL Shortener
100 100%
0% 0
Text Editors
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Short.io and Xcode

Short.io Reviews

Top 10 Bitly alternatives and competitors in 2025
Initially launched as short.cm, to be rebranded from Short.cm to Short.io to reflect its broader vision and global reach better. The platform expanded its features to meet these needs, introducing capabilities like geo-targeting, link expiration rules, branded QR codes, and advanced analytics.
Source: blog.replug.io
10 Excellent Google URL Shortener Alternatives
Short.io has a free plan with basic features. However, to access advanced analytics, you must upgrade to one of their paid plans—Personal ($19/month), Team ($49/month), or Enterprise ($149/month). You can also choose annual billing and get a 17% discount.
Source: bitly.com
07 Best Bitly Alternative You Will Only Need (FREE)
Short.io is one of the best URL shortening alternatives available, and it’s free too!? If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to shorten your URLs, Short.io is definitely worth considering. Not only is it free to use, but it also offers a wide range of features that make it one of the most powerful URL shortening tools out there.
11 Best Bitly Alternatives & Similar URL Shorteners
As mentioned earlier, there are a series of bit ly alternatives out there. And if you are looking for one of the best, Short.io is definitely another name you should consider. Just like other best alternatives for link shorteners, you can monitor the performance of each link.
Top 8 Alternatives of Bit.Ly in 2023
Another effective custom domain URL shortener is Short.io. It furnishes its link-shortening services in your own domain. It is popular because of its quick customer support and affordable prices. Moreover, Short.io furnishes detailed statistics for domain and short links.

Xcode Reviews

Explore 9 Top Eclipse Alternatives for 2024
While Xcode is primarily free, a subscription to the Apple Developer Program is required for iOS app development at $99 per year.
Source: aircada.com
What's The Best C++ IDE? Our Top C++ IDEs & Editors In 2024
Occupying the sixth spot on my list is Xcode, Apple's flagship IDE. And yes, it's probably most well-known for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS development, but Xcode is also an excellent choice for C++ developers working on the macOS platform.
Source: hackr.io
Android Studio Alternative
Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS is Xcode, which can be used to create software for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. In addition, it provides Command Line Tools (CLT), which enable UNIX-style development via the Terminal app in macOS. Xcode also has built-in support for source code management via the Git version control system and protocol,...
Source: www.educba.com
Top 10 Visual Studio Alternatives
The XCode cloud is a constant integration and a type of delivery service. It is a type of cloud that is ideally designed for apple users. It is only made for MAC OS X; hence, you need to try other ways if you have a Windows PC. The main goal of Xcode is to develop the software system for various IOS systems.
Best Eclipse Alternatives to Use
Xcode includes a code editor supporting syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, and code snippets, as well as an interface builder, which is designed for developing graphical user interfaces. Xcode supports the entire lifecycle of an application, including code editing, compilation, debugging, testing, and deployment.
Source: eclipsewin.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Xcode seems to be a lot more popular than Short.io. While we know about 145 links to Xcode, we've tracked only 8 mentions of Short.io. 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.

Short.io mentions (8)

  • URL shorteners and why would you need one?
    Choose a shortener: Pick a link shortener that fits your needs---many offer options like custom branding, QR code creation, and analytics. Ziplink, Short.io, and Bitly are all capable of that. If you are looking for something really simple, you may want to check out TinyURL as well. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • What’s the best way to share video with a single-use link?
    Same, but a little more elegant is short.io. It's a link shortener, but with a $19/month plan you can add a ton of customization to your links. One of those being limit on clicks. Same problem here that the file is still hosted elsewhere and available if they happen to copy the URL from the address bar. Source: about 2 years ago
  • We've built our startup's app entirely using Glide & Integromat
    Can I ask you how you have integrated short.io into your app? Via Zapier or API? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Compatibility with Short.io
    Just tried it and https://short.io only allows domains that end with specific TLDs (ICANN's list). So while nothing in Handshake is blocking the service, the service needs to loosen up the restrictions to be able to link handshake names. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Someone on here posted a link to their podcast a few months ago and apologized for it being a linktree. Is that bad?
    Https://short.io on their free tier you can make a smart link like listen.yourdomain.com that sends an apple mobile user to your podcast on iOS, an android mobile user to your podcast on google's podcast app, and a desktop/laptop browser to your website. Source: almost 3 years ago
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Xcode mentions (145)

  • An Animated Introduction to Programming in C++ [Full Course]
    There are practice problems in each section so that you can practice while learning from the content. These are in the 'Hands-On Practice' section in each section. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) are tools that allow you to write your own programs. There are some great, free C++ IDEs out there like Visual Studio, Xcode, and CLion. The simplest way to get started is to use a web-based IDE. Replit works... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Which App Debugging Tools are the Best?
    2. Xcode Debugger Xcode remains the standard iOS app debugging tool. Its debugger is exceptional at identifying memory leaks, helping to discover thread races, and even focusing on the cause of crashes. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Must-Use Mobile Accessibility Testing Tools in 2025
    XCode inspector offers VoiceOver Simulation to read out app elements for identifying if descriptions mentioned for the UI are meaningful and informative. It helps to make your app accessible to users with disabilities. Apart from that the Accessibility Inspector offers a complete audit of the app’s UI elements. Also as you make changes to your app the tool offers immediate feedback on accessibility issues. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • From React to React Native – A Beginner-Friendly Guide🚀
    Set Up Android Studio and Xcode: To develop for Android, you need Android Studio installed. For iOS development, Xcode is required (macOS only). - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • How To Build a TikTok Clone With SwiftUI
    To follow along with this tutorial, you will need an Xcode installation. It is recommended to download Xcode 15 or a later version. Also, to provide access to the user's camera feed in this app, we will use the Stream Video SDK. The Video SDK allows developers to build FaceTime-style video calling](https://getstream.io/blog/facetime-clone/), Twitch-like content... - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Short.io and Xcode, 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.

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

Rebrandly - Rebrandly is the easiest way to create, share and manage branded links.

IntelliJ IDEA - Capable and Ergonomic IDE for JVM

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

Android Studio - Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA