BRANCH VS Bit.ly

Not your average short link

Run enterprise-grade campaigns with links that never break, comprehensive measurement, and scale built for growth.

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100,000+ brands trust Branch

Turn every link and QR code into a growth engine

Branch has always led the linking game. Now, creating and tracking branded short links and QR codes that fuel growth is easier than ever.

Haven’t checked out Branch in a while? Meet Activation.

Activation

Go beyond basic link shortening. Create branded short links and QR codes that not only look better, but perform better — boosting click-through rates and reinforcing trust in every channel, from social to SMS to offline. Unlike Bitly, Branch routes users seamlessly to the right web or app destination, no matter the device. With advanced tools for link creation, management, and real-time analytics at scale, Branch turns every link into a growth opportunity.

Learn more about Activation

Top brands pick Branch. Period.

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Links that do more

Bitly links often stop at web redirects. Branch links always send users to the right place with advanced routing and parameters, powering seamless journeys through landing pages, QR codes, and high-intent traffic across channels.

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Enterprise-grade scale & support

From reliability to white-glove support, Branch leads the pack. Run massive campaigns with confidence, backed by experts who scale with you.

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Security & privacy leadership

Branch is built for strict compliance: HIPAA eligibility, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and CCPA certifications ensure enterprise-level security at every step.

Transparent pricing

No surprise fees, no “gotcha” price hikes. With Branch, you get enterprise features without the hidden costs competitors sneak in later.

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Better insights

See what Bitly can’t show. With Branch, you get full visibility into the entire customer journey, beyond just isolated clicks.

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Brand-first flexibility

With Branch, your links look and behave exactly how you want. You fully control the domain, appearance, and destination rules across every channel to keep your brand front and center while delivering seamless journeys.

Why use Branch instead of Bitly?

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Branch

Link routing

Advanced dynamic routing for web, app, and install journeys with the industry’s most reliable deep linking

Basic redirects, poor deep linking, and no contextual routing

Lifecycle support

Acquisition, engagement, retention, and advocacy tracking for full user journeys

Click metrics only; no lifecycle or deep linking insights

Branding and customization

Branded links, custom domains, paths, and QR codes

Limited branding options on paid plans

Enterprise-grade

Role-based permissions, link templates, governance, and global scale for top brands

Basic link editing; lacks enterprise governance tools

Bulk tools

Bulk create, edit, archive, and manage links at scale

CSV uploads for up to 100 links per campaign

Breadth of use cases

Supports social, SMS, QR, paid attribution, email, web-to-app, CTV, and cross-platform campaigns

Mostly social media, SMS, and basic tracking

Time to value

Works out of the box; advanced deep linking and attribution optional

Web use cases only; lacks scalable deep linking or attribution

Landing pages

Mobile-optimized landing pages and Deepviews for seamless user journeys

Basic link-in-bio and simple landing pages only

Pricing

Value-based pricing aligned to usage and impact

Charges by link/QR volume, even if unused

FAQs

  • What use cases does Branch support?

    Whether you’re running social campaigns, launching SMS promotions, or connecting offline moments to mobile, Branch gives you the tools to turn every link into a smarter, more valuable touchpoint.

  • What kind of ongoing support can I expect?

    Branch’s support team is renowned in the industry. Our dedicated support team has fast response times and quality expert responses.

  • What makes Branch different from Bit.ly?

    Branch goes beyond link shortening. We power every linking use case — deep linking, QR codes, cross-platform attribution, advanced routing, link governance, and enterprise security — all in one platform. This allows you to unify your analytics across the board, consolidate tagging efforts, and take users to the best converting destination. Bitly is great for basic redirects, but it stops there.

  • Do I need to change how I create links if I switch to Branch?

    Branch Activation works out of the box for web links and QR codes. When you’re ready, you can unlock deep linking, attribution, and advanced controls without overhauling your workflows.

  • Is Branch only for mobile apps?

    No. Branch links work across web, app, email, SMS, ads, and QR codes to deliver seamless user experiences everywhere your brand shows up.

  • How does Branch handle security and compliance?

    Branch is HIPAA-eligible, SOC 2 Type II certified, and GDPR/CCPA compliant, so you can safely share links across every channel while meeting the strictest data standards.

  • Does Branch support branded links like Bitly?

    Yes — and more. Branch offers custom domains, branded link paths, customizable QR codes, and mobile-optimized landing pages to keep your brand front and center.

  • How does Branch pricing compare to Bitly?

    Branch uses value-based pricing so you’re not paying for links that don’t drive results. Bitly often charges by volume, even if your links go unused.

  • Can Branch handle large-scale campaigns?

    Absolutely. Branch supports bulk link creation, editing, and governance so enterprise teams can run global campaigns without breaking a sweat.

  • What analytics does Branch provide that Bitly doesn’t?

    Branch delivers cross-platform attribution and lifecycle insights that show the full user journey — acquisition, engagement, retention, and advocacy. Bitly metrics stop at basic click counts.

Any additional questions about the Branch platform?

Introducing Branch Activation

Branch Activation introduces branded links and custom QR codes ready for any channel or campaign and unifies all your enterprise linking needs in one secure, scalable solution.

Activate Your Links: Branded URLs, QR Codes, and Deep Links in One

We’re excited to introduce Branch’s new product offering — Activation. It makes it easy to create branded short links and custom QR codes that shorten your character count, increase click through rates (CTRs), and connect users to content instantly and reliably. 

Why Short Links Should Be Part of Every Marketer’s Strategy

Connecting users to content should be simple, and your links should be something you’re excited to include in your campaigns. Whether you’re looking for clicks, conversions, or brand awareness, the links you use directly impact your success. That’s why you need a fast, reliable way to create short, branded links that work.

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