Last checked November 1, 2026
Rebrandly alternatives when QR codes are the main job
Rebrandly is a branded link manager first: short links on your own domain, analytics, link-in-bio pages, and QR codes generated from those links [1]. People comparing it tend to search "rebrandly free plan", "rebrandly pricing", "rebrandly vs bitly", "rebrandly qr code generator" and "rebrandly cancel subscription". This page looks at Rebrandly from the QR side: what the free plan includes, how destination changes are counted, what happens to printed codes if you cancel, and five alternatives. We make QRay, one of them.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: printed codes that change every week
Say a small agency runs QR codes for a bakery: four window posters, each pointing to that week's specials. The posters stay up for months, but the link behind each one changes weekly.
On Rebrandly's free plan, the agency gets 10 links and 10 QR codes a month with unlimited scans [1]. Two details matter here. Free-plan QR codes carry a watermark, and the free plan doesn't include destination edits at all [1]. So the posters can't be repointed without upgrading.
On Essentials ($8 a month billed annually, or $11 month to month), destination edits are capped at 10 a month [1]. Four posters changed weekly is about 16 to 20 edits a month, which pushes the bakery to Professional: 50 edits a month at $22 billed annually or $32 month to month [1]. None of this is hidden; it's in the plan comparison. It just means that for printed codes that change often, the number to watch on Rebrandly isn't links or scans, it's edits.
What happens if the bakery stops paying is clearer than with many tools. Cancelling turns off auto-renewal; the paid plan runs until the renewal date and then the account moves to Free [2]. Rebrandly says its links don't expire unless you set an expiration date or delete them, and that even after a downgrade to Free, all links keep working [3]. Links in workspaces or custom domains that exceed the free plan become locked: you can still view them, and they keep redirecting and tracking, but you can't edit them [2]. Deleting the account deletes the links [3]. Rebrandly doesn't offer refunds, prorated or otherwise [4].
In practice, that means a printed Rebrandly code keeps sending people to its last destination after you cancel. What you lose is the ability to change it. For a weekly-specials poster, that's the whole point of the code, so plan which posters can be retired before you downgrade.
Rebrandly also lists an MCP connector for AI assistants on every plan, so you can create and manage branded links from a chat [1]. That overlaps with one of QRay's main features, and it's worth saying so plainly.
Three things to check before you choose
1. How destination changes are counted
Some tools allow unlimited edits on any paid plan. Others count edits per month by tier, as Rebrandly and Bitly do [1] [5]. Estimate your edits a month (codes times how often each changes) and pick a tier from that, not from link counts.
2. What the free QR code looks like
Free plans often mark codes with a watermark, a logo or a pop-up. Rebrandly's free QR codes have a watermark [1]; QR TIGER's free codes show a logo pop-up [6]. Make a test code and scan it before deciding whether that's acceptable on your print.
3. What happens to printed codes when you stop paying
Look for a plain statement. Rebrandly's links keep redirecting after a downgrade [3]. Hovercode's codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel [7]. The difference decides whether stopping a subscription breaks anything on paper.
Comparison table
| Rebrandly | QRay | Bitly | Hovercode | QR TIGER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Paid plans only: 10 destination edits a month on Essentials [1] | Yes | Paid plans only: 5 edits/mo on Core, more on higher tiers [5] | Yes [7] | Yes [6] |
| Free option | Free plan: 10 links and 10 QR codes a month; free QR codes have a watermark [1] | Free to try, no card | Free with ads: 2 QR codes/mo [5] | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [7] | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes [6] |
| When a trial or plan ends | After a downgrade to Free, links keep redirecting; links in locked workspaces or domains become view-only [2] | Codes made with a free account have no trial end date | Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date [5] | Free-plan codes don't expire; extra paid codes expire if you cancel [7] | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [6] |
| Paid plans from | $8/mo billed annually, or $11 month to month (Essentials) [1] | Free to start | $10/mo billed yearly (Core) [5] | $12/mo [7] | US$7/mo [6] |
| Scan counts | Yes, clicks and scans on every plan [1] | Yes, per code | Yes [5] | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [7] | Basic analytics on free [6] |
| Use from AI tools | MCP for AI assistants, listed on every plan [1] | Claude and Cursor (MCP), command line; ChatGPT planned next | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Pros and cons of each
Rebrandly
Pros
- Short links, QR codes and link-in-bio pages in one account [1]
- Unlimited clicks and QR scans on every plan, including Free [1]
- Links keep working after you downgrade to the free plan [3]
- An MCP connector for AI assistants is listed on every plan [1]
- One free custom domain (yourbrand.bio) plus the Rebrand.ly domain on the free plan [1]
- Downgrades take effect at the renewal date, so you keep paid features until then [4]
Cons
- Free-plan QR codes carry a watermark, and the free plan includes no destination edits [1]
- Destination edits are counted per month: 10 on Essentials, 50 on Professional, 150 on Growth [1]
- Rebrandly doesn't offer refunds, prorated or otherwise [4]
- Adding a logo or image to a QR code starts at Essentials [1]
- Free-plan engagement data covers 100 clicks a month [1]
QRay
We make QRay, so read this section with that in mind.
Pros
- You can change where a printed code goes, and the pattern stays the same
- Free to try without a card, and codes made with a free account have no trial end date
- Scan counts per code
- You can create and edit codes from Claude or Cursor through MCP, or from the command line
Cons
- A young product with fewer features than the large tools: fewer code types, no landing-page builder and no bulk CSV upload
- Fewer design options than design-first tools
- Team accounts and custom domains aren't available
- ChatGPT support is planned next, not available yet
Bitly
Pros
- Short links, QR codes and landing pages in one account [5]
- Bulk creation from CSV or Excel on higher plans [5]
- Mobile deep links and custom dashboards on higher plans [5]
- Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date, handy for time-limited campaigns [5]
Cons
- The free plan has ads and doesn't include changing a code's destination [5]
- Destination changes are counted per month on paid plans [5]
- Core is $10/month with an annual charge of $120 [5]
- Growth is $29/month billed yearly, a step up if you need more edits [5]
Hovercode
Pros
- A free plan that isn't a trial: the first 3 dynamic codes don't expire [7]
- Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features on paid plans [7]
- GS1 Digital Link codes [7]
- The free plan's rules are written plainly on the pricing page, which makes planning easy [7]
Cons
- The 3 free dynamic codes are a total, not per month [7]
- Codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel a paid plan [7]
- Custom domains and GPS tracking are paid features [7]
QR TIGER
Pros
- Free plan with dynamic codes and basic analytics, plus unlimited static codes [6]
- Paid plans from US$7/month, with bulk generation and geofencing on higher tiers [6]
- A wide range of code types, from links to files and social pages [6]
- Free static codes are unlimited, which covers permanent links at no cost [6]
Cons
- Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [6]
- Free codes show a QR TIGER logo popup [6]
- Packaging or a busy flyer can reach the free scan cap, so plan to upgrade if a code gets popular
Which one fits your situation
A marketing team that lives on branded short links. Rebrandly or Bitly fit well, since QR codes come from the same links and analytics [1] [5]. Size the plan by edits a month, not by link count.
A small shop or café whose QR codes change often. Check each tool's edit rules against how often your links change. Hovercode's free plan covers 3 dynamic codes that don't expire [7], QR TIGER's free plan includes dynamic codes too [6], and QRay also lets you repoint printed codes.
A one-off campaign where the link is fixed. Rebrandly's free plan or QR TIGER's free static codes are enough, if a watermark or pop-up is acceptable [1] [6].
An agency with several clients. Rebrandly's Professional and Growth plans add workspaces and teammates [1]. QRay doesn't have team accounts yet, so it's a weaker fit here.
Someone who manages links from an AI assistant. Rebrandly lists MCP on every plan [1]. QRay works from Claude and Cursor through MCP and from the command line, and is focused on QR codes rather than short links. Try both with your own workflow.
FAQ
Does Rebrandly have a free plan?
Yes: 10 links and 10 QR codes a month, unlimited clicks and scans, and one free custom domain. Free QR codes have a watermark [1].
How much is Rebrandly?
Essentials is $8 a month billed annually or $11 month to month; Professional is $22 or $32; Growth is $104 or $149 [1].
Rebrandly vs Bitly for QR codes?
Both count destination edits per month. Bitly's free plan has ads and no edits [5]; Rebrandly's free plan has a QR watermark and no edits [1]. Bitly Core is $10 a month, billed annually only [5].
Can I edit a Rebrandly QR code after printing?
Yes, on a paid plan: Essentials includes 10 destination edits a month, Professional 50 and Growth 150. The free plan includes none [1].
What happens if I cancel Rebrandly?
Your paid plan runs until the renewal date, then the account moves to Free. Links keep working; links in locked workspaces or domains can't be edited [2] [3].
Do Rebrandly links expire?
Not unless you set an expiration date or delete them. Deleting the account deletes the links [3].
Sources
- https://www.rebrandly.com/pricing
- https://support.rebrandly.com/en/articles/469715-what-happens-to-my-account-limits-and-features-when-i-cancel-my-subscription
- https://support.rebrandly.com/en/articles/469550-how-long-does-a-rebrandly-link-last
- https://support.rebrandly.com/en/articles/469716-can-i-upgrade-or-downgrade-my-plan-before-my-subscription-renewal
- https://bitly.com/pages/pricing
- https://www.qrcode-tiger.com/payment
- https://hovercode.com/pricing/