# Short Menu vs WidgetLink

The clearest difference is rating: Short Menu at 4.6 against WidgetLink's 3.6. Short Menu also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 22 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 53%). WidgetLink's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Short Menu sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. WidgetLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

Short Menu holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Short Menu has 284 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Short Menu's written reviews are positive against 53% of WidgetLink's.

Short Menu ships an update every 5 days, WidgetLink every 22 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Short Menu | WidgetLink |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-menu-url-shortener/id885851937/reviews)** | [3.6 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetlink-url-quick-launch/id1533331558/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **284** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | **68.5% of reviews** | 52.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 22 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 61 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Appiculous UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/865231548) | [Vatthikorn Apiratitham](https://appshunter.io/developer/1183059316) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 (14)**

| 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 |
| All URL Services | $0.99 | one-time |
| Native URL Shorteners | $0.99 | one-time |
| Account Login | $1.99 | one-time |
| Custom Services | $1.99 | one-time |
| Affiliate Accounts | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pro Features | $4.99 | one-time |

**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


### WidgetLink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetlink-url-quick-launch/id1533331558)

Create custom home screen widgets to launch any URL or app URL scheme with a single tap. Personalize the appearance of your links with various customization options. Open links directly in your preferred third-party browser.

**Highlights:** Add any URL to home screen widgets, Launch app URL schemes, Open links in third-party browsers, Customize link display (colors, shapes, icons), Quickly access and launch links

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Short Menu free?

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

### Is WidgetLink free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Short Menu or WidgetLink?

Short Menu is rated higher. Short Menu averages 4.6 out of 5 from 284 ratings, while WidgetLink averages 3.6 from 18 ratings.

### Do Short Menu or WidgetLink have ads?

Short Menu shows ads; WidgetLink does not.

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

Short Menu ships an update every 5 days, and WidgetLink every 22 months. Most recently, Short Menu was updated on October 26, 2026 and WidgetLink on October 24, 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.*