# Simple URL vs Katana.run

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Katana.run at none against Simple URL's 1. Katana.run also leads on ads (none vs shown). Simple URL's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 33 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simple URL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Katana.run asks for nothing beyond the download.

Simple URL ships an update fortnightly, Katana.run every 33 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple URL | Katana.run |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-url-short-links/id492165840/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 33 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 11 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SeungHoon Kam](https://appshunter.io/developer/453411861) | [Bits Kingdom LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1206516876) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple URL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-url-short-links/id492165840)

This utility app instantly shortens long web addresses using various popular services. It also automatically generates QR codes for your shortened links, making them easy to share across different platforms. Manage your link history with a clean and lightweight interface.

**Highlights:** Multiple URL shortening services, Instant QR code generation, Smart clipboard URL detection, One-click copy and share, Link history management, No sign-up required

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### Katana.run

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/katanarun/id6446367533)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple URL free?

Simple URL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Katana.run free?

Katana.run is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Simple URL or Katana.run have ads?

Simple URL shows ads; Katana.run does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simple URL or Katana.run?

Simple URL ships an update fortnightly, and Katana.run every 33 months. Most recently, Simple URL was updated on November 1, 2026 and Katana.run on November 7, 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.*