Beacons vs Linktree: Full Comparison (2026)
- Linktree is the simple, recognisable link-in-bio standard — vertical button list, large free tier, "Powered by" branding on free.
- Beacons is a creator commerce suite — link-in-bio plus memberships, email marketing, media kits, and brand-pitch tools.
- Pick Linktree if you want a simple link page. Pick Beacons if you run a full creator business through Instagram and TikTok.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Linktree | Beacons |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — branded | Yes — branded |
| Cheapest paid | $5/mo | $10/mo |
| Memberships | No | Yes (Entrepreneur plan) |
| Email marketing | No | Built-in |
| Media kit | No | Yes |
| Brand pitch tool | No | Yes |
| Best for | Simplicity | Creator suite |
What Linktree Does Best
Linktree is the safest, simplest option. The product does one thing — a vertical button list — and does it well. The free plan covers everything most casual creators need, and the brand recognition means followers instantly understand what they're tapping.
What Beacons Does Differently
Beacons is closer to a full creator OS. Beyond a link page, you get memberships (recurring subscriptions), email marketing (campaigns and sequences), a media-kit generator, and a tool that drafts brand pitch emails. For a full-time creator running multiple income streams, the bundle saves switching between five tools.
The trade-offs: Beacons pages load slower than Linktree pages, the interface is more complex, and the cheapest paid plan is double Linktree's.
Pricing
Linktree: Free, Starter $5, Pro $9, Premium $24/mo.
Beacons: Free, Creator $10, Entrepreneur $30/mo.
When to Pick Linktree
- You want the simplest, most recognisable link-in-bio.
- You don't run memberships or do email marketing.
- $5/mo (or free with branding) covers your needs.
When to Pick Beacons
- You're a full-time creator with multiple income streams.
- You want one platform for memberships, email, and brand pitches.
- $10–$30/mo for the bundle is worth it vs paying for separate tools.
The Lighter Alternative: UniLink
If neither Linktree's branding nor Beacons' complexity fits, UniLink is a free, fast link-in-bio without watermark, with click analytics and product blocks built in. Closer to Linktree in simplicity, with Beacons-quality analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beacons free?
Yes, with Beacons branding on the public page. Branding removal needs Creator tier ($10/mo).
Can I do memberships with Linktree?
Not natively. You can link to a Patreon or similar from a Linktree button.
Which loads faster?
Linktree, slightly. Beacons pages carry more script for the suite features.
Key Takeaways
- Linktree = simple, recognisable, cheaper.
- Beacons = creator suite with memberships and email.
- UniLink = the watermark-free, free, fast alternative if neither fits.
Try the lighter alternative
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