# Shortly vs Short Menu

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Short Menu at 69% against Shortly's 11%. Short Menu also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 months). Shortly's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Short Menu is free to download; Shortly costs $0.99 up front. Short Menu sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Shortly asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shortly ships an update every 5 months, Short Menu every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shortly | Short Menu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-menu-url-shortener/id885851937/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **284** |
| Positive reviews | 10.8% of reviews | **68.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chris Dressler](https://appshunter.io/developer/327199357) | [Appiculous UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/865231548) |

## What reviewers say

### Shortly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortly/id337764686)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Short Menu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-menu-url-shortener/id885851937)

Easily shorten URLs, generate branded links, and create QR codes on your iPhone or iPad. Track link performance with advanced analytics and integrate with existing URL shorteners. Customize your links with your own domain for a professional touch.

**Highlights:** Shorten URLs on the go, Branded short links, Generate QR codes, Advanced link analytics, Integrate with existing shorteners, Custom domain support, Home screen widgets

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Short Menu Lite (Monthly) | $5.99 | per month |
| Short Menu Lite (Monthly) | $6.99 | per month |
| Short Menu Pro (Monthly) | $24.99 | per month |
| Short Menu Lite (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Short Menu Growth (Monthly) | $49.99 | per month |
| Short Menu Lite (Annual) | $49.99 | per year |
| Short Menu Pro (Annual) | $159.99 | per year |
| Short Menu Growth (Annual) | $399.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and efficient URL shortening
- 👍 Integrates with share sheet
- 👍 Works with custom URL shorteners (YOURLS)
- 👍 Useful for creating workflows (Launch Center Pro)
- 👍 Developer was responsive in the past

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Default shortening service not working
- 🐛 App frequently broken/unresponsive
- 🐛 Features locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Past purchases not restoring
- 🐛 Greedy and deceitful practices alleged

**Reported bugs**

- App no longer actively tracks link clicks/views
- Default shortening service not working
- App not working on iPad
- Quick short from share sheet stuck on 'shortening'
- Nothing works when tapping

**Requested features**

- Update the app
- Implement new features
- Add dark mode
- Add translucent dark mode for widget
- Generate QR codes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shortly free?

Shortly costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Short Menu free?

Short Menu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Shortly or Short Menu have ads?

Short Menu shows ads; Shortly does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shortly or Short Menu?

Shortly ships an update every 5 months, and Short Menu every 5 days. Most recently, Shortly was updated on November 1, 2026 and Short Menu on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*