Comparison

Shortly vs AppLink Generator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Shortly

This utility allows you to create and manage short URLs using the Bitly service directly from your iPhone or iPad. Easily copy shortened links for use in other apps and track their click statistics with helpful charts. It also includes a tool to look up existing Bitlinks and their performance.

Highlights
  • Create short URLs (Bitlinks)
  • Copy links to clipboard
  • Track click statistics
  • View charts and metadata
  • Bitlink lookup tool
  • Auto Shorten feature
Features
Read full description

Shortly is an easy-to-use utility that lets you create short URLs (Bitlinks) with your iPhone or iPad using the Bitly service. You can copy these links to the clipboard for use in other iPhone applications. Once you've created your Bitlink and pressed the button to put it on the clipboard, you can launch another application, click anywhere you can enter text and select Paste — it's that simple! Additionally you can track the click statistics for Bitlinks you create in the app, or Bitlinks you've shortened on the Bitly website with helpful charts and metadata. There is also a Bitlink lookup tool, so you can enter in a Bitlink you've found and see who created it, including the number of global clicks it has received this week. The app requires a Bitly account to enable the URL shortening and tracking features. If you don't have an account, signing up is easy and free. Just click on the Account tab in the app and click the button to get a new account. Auto Shorten feature: If you go into the Settings screen and turn this on, the Shortly app will look on the clipboard when it launches, and if it finds a valid URL there, it will automatically shorten it and place the Bitlihnk on the clipboard at the same time.

About

AppLink Generator

Create a single smart link that directs users to the correct app store based on their device. This tool simplifies app promotion across various platforms and campaigns, ensuring a seamless download experience.

Highlights
  • Generates smart links
  • Auto-detects device OS
  • Supports fallback links
  • Simplifies app promotion
  • Cross-platform compatibility
Features
Read full description

AppLinks Generator automatically generates a smart link that can auto-determine which App Store to send a user depending on the device they are using plus a fall back option if their device cannot be determined. Enter your iOS App Store link Enter your other store link Enter a fall back link e.g. your website Generate the smart link and test it. Then deploy in ad campaigns, websites, social media to promote your app without worrying about how people will download your app. Terms & Conditions: https://www.reimaginestrategy.com/terms/

Screenshots

Shortly4 screens
AppLink Generator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AppLink Generator at Free against Shortly's $0.99. AppLink Generator also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). Shortly's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

AppLink Generator is free to download; Shortly costs $0.99 up front. AppLink Generator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Shortly asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shortly ships an update every 5 months, AppLink Generator every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shortly versus AppLink Generator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShortlyAppLink Generator
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews10.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChris DresslerWasim Ahmad

Customer experience

Shortly

Written reviews37 reviews
Positive10.8%
Neutral13.5%
Negative75.7%

AppLink Generator

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Shortly

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

AppLink Generator

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Annual$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Shortly free?
Shortly costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AppLink Generator free?
AppLink Generator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Shortly or AppLink Generator have ads?
Neither Shortly nor AppLink Generator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shortly or AppLink Generator?
Shortly ships an update every 5 months, and AppLink Generator every 2 days. Most recently, Shortly was updated on October 12, 2026 and AppLink Generator on October 6, 2026.

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