Beacons and Linktree are the two heavyweights of the link-in-bio space, and they have evolved in completely different directions.
The core difference: Linktree is a link aggregator that bolted creator features on top. Beacons is a creator business platform that happens to include a link page.
The 2025 pricing shift: Linktree raised Premium from $24 to $35/mo and kept a 12 percent commerce fee on the free plan, while Beacons kept its three-tier ($10 / $30 / $90) structure with the no-fee plan still at $30/mo. The spread between them widened.
TL;DR (2026)
- Pick Beacons if you sell courses, digital products, or run an email list. Store Pro at $30/mo zeros the commerce fee.
- Pick Linktree if you want simplicity, brand recognition, and your audience already knows the URL.
- Pick Shelfy if you want professional features (custom domain, analytics, team) free forever with zero commerce fee, and you do not need built-in email or commerce.
- The cheapest path to 0 percent commerce fee is Beacons Store Pro at $30/mo, $5/mo cheaper than Linktree Premium ($35/mo).
Quick verdict: Beacons wins for creators selling products or building email lists. Linktree wins for simplicity. But neither offers the best base-rate value. Shelfy gives you professional features free forever that both charge for, with no commerce fee.
This comparison breaks down every feature, cost, and use case to help you choose the right platform for your creator business in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Beacons (2026) | Linktree (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Creator monetization | Link aggregation |
| Free Plan | Yes (9 percent commerce fee) | Yes (12 percent commerce fee) |
| Email Marketing | Built-in (500/mo free) | Integration only |
| Digital Products | Built-in store | Via integrations |
| Media Kit | AI-generated | Not available |
| Cheapest paid tier | $10/mo (Creator Pro) | $8/mo (Starter) |
| No-commerce-fee tier | $30/mo (Store Pro) | $35/mo (Premium, after the 2025 hike) |
| Remove Branding | $90/mo (Business Pro) | $8/mo (Starter) |
| Custom Domain | $10/mo (Creator Pro, 1st year free) | $15/mo (Pro) |
| Analytics | Advanced, includes revenue | Basic (free) / Advanced ($15/mo Pro) |
| Best For | Monetizing creators | Simple link pages |
Platform Philosophy: The Fundamental Difference
Linktree: The Link Pioneer
Linktree invented the link-in-bio category in 2016. Their philosophy is straightforward: one link, many destinations.
Core DNA:
- Simplicity above all else
- Links first, features second
- Broad market appeal
- Integration-heavy approach
Evolution: Linktree started as just links and slowly added features (commerce, scheduling, analytics) through integrations and paid tiers.
Strength: Dead simple. Anyone can set up a Linktree page in 2 minutes.
Weakness: Basic feature set means you need multiple tools for a complete creator stack.
Beacons: The Creator Platform
Beacons launched in 2020 with a different vision: an all-in-one creator business platform.
Core DNA:
- Built for monetization
- Native features over integrations
- Creator-centric design
- AI-powered optimization
Evolution: Beacons started feature-rich and keeps adding creator tools: media kits, email marketing, digital products, invoicing.
Strength: Everything in one place-links, email, products, media kit.
Weakness: Steeper learning curve. Can feel overwhelming for users who just want links.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Link Management
Linktree
Link features:
- Unlimited links
- Link thumbnails
- Priority links (pin to top)
- Link scheduling
- Sensitive content warnings
- Archive links
Display options:
- Classic vertical list
- Spotlight links
- Social icons
- Video embeds (paid)
Organization:
- Single page only
- No folders or categories
- Drag-and-drop reordering
Beacons
Link features:
- Unlimited links
- Link blocks with icons
- Scheduling
- Link groups/sections
- Header dividers
Display options:
- Multiple block types
- Embed content (YouTube, Spotify, etc.)
- Custom backgrounds
- Animated elements
Organization:
- Sections for grouping
- Multiple page types
- Content blocks beyond links
Winner: Beacons for flexibility. Linktree for simplicity. If you just want links in a clean list, Linktree is easier. If you want a rich landing page with sections and embeds, Beacons wins.
Email Marketing
This is where Beacons pulls dramatically ahead.
Linktree
Email capabilities:
- Email capture form (paid)
- Integration with Mailchimp
- Integration with ConvertKit
- No native email sending
The reality: Linktree collects emails but doesn't send them. You need a separate email tool.
Cost:
- Email form: Requires Pro ($15/mo as of 2026)
- Email tool: Additional $10 to $30/mo
Beacons
Email capabilities:
- Built-in email marketing
- 500 emails/month free
- Unlimited subscribers
- Templates and automation
- Newsletter blocks
Features included:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Signup forms on your page
- Audience segmentation
- Email analytics
- Automated welcome sequences
Cost (2026):
- Free: 500 sends/month
- Creator Pro: $10/mo (2,000 sends)
- Store Pro: $30/mo (unlimited)
Winner: Beacons decisively. Native email marketing is a massive advantage. Linktree requires a separate tool that costs $10 to $30/month extra.
The math (2026 prices): Beacons free + email = $0. Linktree Pro + Mailchimp = $15 + $13 = $28/month.
Monetization & Commerce
Both platforms want to help you make money-but their approaches differ dramatically.
Linktree
Commerce features:
- Tip jar (collect donations)
- Commerce links (link to external stores)
- Payment request links
- Shopify integration
- Spring (merch) integration
Limitations:
- No native store
- Links to external checkout
- No digital product delivery
- Tip jar only (no products)
Fees:
- Tip jar: Payment processor fees only
- Commerce features: Requires paid plan
Beacons
Commerce features:
- Native digital product store
- Tip jar / donations
- Memberships and subscriptions
- Invoicing for services
- Brand deals marketplace
- Wishlist / gift registry
Digital products you can sell:
- PDFs, ebooks, guides
- Video content / courses
- Digital downloads
- Exclusive content
Fees (2026):
- Free plan: 9 percent transaction fee
- Creator Pro ($10/mo): 9 percent fee retained
- Store Pro ($30/mo): 0 percent fee (just payment processing)
- Business Pro ($90/mo): 0 percent fee, removes Beacons branding, white-glove onboarding
Linktree commerce fees (2026):
- Free plan: 12 percent
- Starter, Pro: 9 percent
- Premium ($35/mo): 0 percent
Winner: Beacons for serious monetization. Native store, digital products, memberships, and invoicing make it a complete commerce solution. Linktree just links to external stores.
Important consideration: Beacons' 9 percent free-plan fee adds up fast:
- Sell $500/month = $45/month lost = $540/year
- Sell $1,000/month = $90/month lost = $1,080/year
If you are selling significantly, Beacons' $30/month Store Pro pays for itself before $1,000/month in revenue. Linktree Premium at $35/month also zeroes the fee but costs $5/month more.
Media Kit (Creator-Specific)
Linktree
Media kit: Not available
You'll need a separate tool (Notion, Canva, or dedicated media kit services).
Beacons
Media kit features:
- AI-generated media kit
- Auto-pulls your stats
- Professional templates
- One-click PDF export
- Always up-to-date metrics
What's included:
- Audience demographics
- Engagement rates
- Platform statistics
- Rate card
- Brand collaboration history
Winner: Beacons (Linktree has nothing comparable). For creators pitching brands, this alone could justify choosing Beacons.
Analytics & Insights
Linktree
Free analytics:
- Total views
- Total clicks
- Click-through rate (CTR)
Pro analytics ($15/mo as of 2026):
- Clicks per link
- Traffic sources
- Geographic data
- Device breakdown
- Click timestamps
Limitations:
- No conversion tracking
- No revenue analytics
- Basic compared to dedicated tools
Beacons
Free analytics:
- Views and clicks
- Traffic sources
- Geographic breakdown
- Device analytics
Paid analytics:
- Revenue tracking
- Email performance
- Product sales data
- Audience growth
- A/B testing (Creator Pro)
Winner: Beacons for comprehensive analytics. Revenue and email tracking integration gives you a complete picture. Linktree's analytics are functional but basic.
Customization & Design
Linktree
Free customization:
- Limited theme selection
- Basic button styles
- Profile photo
- Bio text
Pro customization ($15/mo as of 2026):
- Custom colors
- Font selection
- Button styles
- Backgrounds
- Remove Linktree branding (also available on Starter at $8/mo)
Note: You can't even change colors on Linktree's free plan. This is a common frustration.
Beacons
Free customization:
- Custom colors
- Multiple fonts
- Backgrounds (solid, gradient, image)
- Custom CSS (advanced)
- Beacons branding displayed
Paid customization ($10/mo):
- Remove Beacons branding
- Full white-label
- Priority design support
Winner: Beacons for free customization. Being able to change colors without paying is basic-Linktree gates this behind Pro.
Integrations
Linktree
Native integrations:
- Shopify
- Spring (merch)
- Amazon
- Mailchimp
- Twitter/X
- YouTube
- Spotify
- SoundCloud
- PayPal (tip jar)
Third-party:
- Zapier support
- Google Analytics
- Facebook Pixel (paid)
Beacons
Native integrations:
- Google Analytics
- Facebook Pixel
- TikTok Pixel
- Mailchimp (export)
- Stripe (payments)
- PayPal (payments)
Built-in alternatives: Instead of integrations, Beacons builds features natively:
- Email marketing (no Mailchimp needed)
- Digital store (no Shopify needed)
- Media kit (no external tool needed)
Winner: Linktree for breadth of integrations. Beacons if you prefer native features over integrations. Different philosophies-neither is wrong.
Pricing Deep Dive
Linktree Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price (monthly / annual billing) | Commerce fee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 12 percent | Unlimited links, basic themes, basic analytics, branding shown |
| Starter | $8/mo ($6.42/mo annual) | 9 percent | Remove branding, custom colors, link scheduling |
| Pro | $15/mo ($12/mo annual) | 9 percent | Custom domains, advanced analytics, email capture |
| Premium | $35/mo ($28/mo annual) | 0 percent | Team features, priority support, all integrations |
The 2025 Premium hike moved that tier from $24 to $35/month. If you signed up before the change, your legacy rate may apply until renewal.
What you're actually paying for:
- Custom colors: $8/mo
- Custom domain: $15/mo
- Advanced analytics: $15/mo
- Zero commerce fee: $35/mo (Premium)
- Team collaboration: $35/mo (Premium)
Beacons Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Commerce fee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 9 percent | All features, Beacons branding, 500 emails/mo |
| Creator Pro | $10/mo | 9 percent retained | No branding, 2,000 emails, A/B testing, custom domain (1st year free) |
| Store Pro | $30/mo | 0 percent | Unlimited emails, priority support, full courses, subscriptions |
| Business Pro | $90/mo | 0 percent | Team features, API access, dedicated support, NFC card |
What you're actually paying for:
- Remove branding: $10/mo (Creator Pro) or $90/mo (Business, full white-label)
- Zero commerce fee: $30/mo (Store Pro)
- More email sends: $10 to $30/mo
- Custom domain: $10/mo (free first year)
True Cost Comparison (2026 prices)
Scenario: Creator with basic needs (links + customization)
| Tool | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Linktree Free | $0 (but cannot change colors) |
| Linktree Starter | $96/year ($77/year annual billing) |
| Beacons Free | $0 (with branding) |
| Beacons Creator Pro | $120/year |
Scenario: Creator selling digital products ($500/month revenue)
| Tool | Setup | Transaction Fees | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linktree Free + Gumroad | $0 + 10% | $600/year | $600/year |
| Linktree Premium ($35/mo) | $420/year | 0 percent | $420/year |
| Beacons Free | $0 | 9% = $540/year | $540/year |
| Beacons Store Pro | $360/year | 0 percent | $360/year |
Scenario: Creator building email list (5,000 subscribers)
| Tool | Email Tool | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Linktree Pro ($15/mo) | + Mailchimp ($50/mo) | $780/year |
| Beacons Creator Pro | Built-in (2,000 sends/mo) | $120/year |
Winner: Depends entirely on your use case. Beacons is more expensive at base level but cheaper when you factor in features that Linktree makes you buy separately.
The Third Option: Shelfy
Before deciding between Beacons and Linktree, consider Shelfy-which offers professional features free that both charge for.
| Feature | Beacons | Linktree (2026) | Shelfy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Domain | $10/mo | $15/mo (Pro) | Free |
| Remove Branding | $10/mo | $8/mo (Starter) | Free |
| Advanced Analytics | Included | $15/mo (Pro) | Free |
| Zero Commerce Fee | $30/mo (Store Pro) | $35/mo (Premium) | Free (no native commerce) |
| Multiple Collections | Limited | No | Free (Unlimited) |
| Team Collaboration | $90/mo (Business) | $35/mo (Premium) | Free |
| API Access | $90/mo (Business) | No | Free |
| Annual Cost | $120 to $1,080 | $96 to $420 | $0 |
What Shelfy doesn't have:
- Built-in email marketing (use Mailchimp free tier)
- Native digital product store (use Gumroad/Stripe links)
- Media kit builder
What Shelfy excels at:
- Multiple organized collections
- Team collaboration
- API automation
- Zero cost forever
When to choose Shelfy over both:
- You want custom domains and no branding free
- You need multiple collections (different pages for different audiences)
- You're on a team
- You want API access for automation
- You don't need built-in email/commerce
Use Case Recommendations
Choose Beacons If You...
1. Sell digital products Native store with delivery built-in beats linking to external platforms.
2. Need email marketing 500 free emails/month is enough for most creators starting out. Built-in beats integration.
3. Pitch brands frequently AI media kit is a killer feature no competitor matches.
4. Want all-in-one Email, commerce, links, media kit, analytics-one platform, one login.
5. Don't mind the learning curve More features = more complexity. Worth it for power users.
Ideal Beacons users:
- Influencers with brand deals
- Course creators
- Digital product sellers
- Newsletter-first creators
- Coaches selling services
Choose Linktree If You...
1. Want maximum simplicity Set up in 2 minutes, never think about it again.
2. Just need links No products, no email, just links. Linktree does this well.
3. Prefer integrations Already have Mailchimp, Shopify, etc.? Linktree connects to them.
4. Trust the brand 40 million users, established company, not going anywhere.
5. Have simple needs Single page of links, basic analytics, done.
Ideal Linktree users:
- Casual creators
- Personal brands
- Small businesses with existing tools
- Anyone wanting zero learning curve
Choose Shelfy If You...
1. Need professional features free Custom domains, analytics, no branding-all free forever.
2. Want multiple collections Different pages for different purposes (resources, portfolios, projects).
3. Collaborate with a team Unlimited team members without paying enterprise pricing.
4. Need API access Build automations without paying $90/month.
5. Have simple monetization Okay linking to external payment tools.
Ideal Shelfy users:
- Agencies sharing resources
- Educators with course materials
- Teams collaborating on collections
- Anyone avoiding subscription fatigue
- Developers wanting API access
Head-to-Head Scenarios
Scenario 1: Fitness Influencer Selling Workout Guides
Need: Sell PDF workout guides, collect emails, pitch fitness brands.
Beacons:
- Create digital products in native store
- Collect emails with built-in forms
- Generate media kit for brand pitches
- Track revenue and conversions
Linktree:
- Link to Gumroad for products
- Link to Mailchimp for emails
- Create media kit manually
- Basic click analytics only
Winner: Beacons (all-in-one wins here)
Scenario 2: Musician Promoting New Album
Need: Links to streaming platforms, tour dates, merch.
Beacons:
- Embed Spotify/Apple Music
- Product blocks for merch
- Email capture for fan list
- Complex page layout
Linktree:
- Clean list of streaming links
- Spring merch integration
- Simple, focused layout
- 2-minute setup
Winner: Tie-depends on desired complexity. Linktree for clean simplicity, Beacons for richer page.
Scenario 3: Marketing Agency Resource Page
Need: Share curated resources with clients, team collaboration, custom branding.
Beacons:
- Single page
- $10/mo for no branding (Creator Pro) or $90/mo for full white-label (Business Pro)
- Limited team features without Business Pro
Linktree (2026):
- Single page
- $35/mo for team features (Premium tier after the 2025 hike)
- No multiple collections
Shelfy:
- Unlimited collections
- Free team collaboration
- Free custom domain
- Free white-label
Winner: Shelfy (purpose-built for this use case)
Scenario 4: Course Creator with Email-First Business
Need: Sell courses, grow email list, nurture subscribers.
Beacons:
- Sell courses through native store
- Built-in email marketing
- Landing page + email + sales in one
Linktree:
- Link to Teachable/Kajabi
- Capture emails (Pro required)
- Send to Mailchimp
Winner: Beacons (integrated email marketing is massive advantage)
Scenario 5: Personal Blog Simple Link Page
Need: Links to blog, social profiles, contact.
Beacons:
- Powerful but overkill
- Many features you won't use
- Learning curve
Linktree:
- Perfect simplicity
- 5 links in 2 minutes
- Set and forget
Winner: Linktree (simplicity wins for simple needs)
Migration Guide
From Linktree to Beacons
What transfers:
- Links (manually copy URLs)
- Bio text
- Profile image
What doesn't transfer:
- Analytics history
- Custom domain (reconfigure)
- Integrations (reconnect)
Steps:
- Create Beacons account
- Copy links from Linktree
- Set up email capture
- Configure appearance
- Update bio link in socials
- Keep Linktree active 30 days
Time required: 30-60 minutes
From Beacons to Linktree
What transfers:
- Links (manually copy)
- Basic content
What doesn't transfer:
- Email subscribers (export first!)
- Product sales history
- Media kit
- Revenue data
Steps:
- Export email list from Beacons
- Create Linktree account
- Add links manually
- Set up Mailchimp integration
- Configure payment links
- Update bio links
Time required: 45-90 minutes (plus email tool setup)
From Either to Shelfy
What transfers:
- Links (copy URLs)
- Basic structure
Steps:
- Create Shelfy account (free)
- Import links
- Set up collections
- Configure custom domain (free)
- Update bio links
Time required: 20-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Beacons vs Linktree: which is better in 2026?
It depends on what you sell. Beacons wins for creators selling courses, digital products, or running an email list because it has native commerce and email built in. Linktree wins on simplicity and brand recognition. After Linktree's 2025 Premium hike from $24 to $35/month, Beacons Store Pro at $30/month is the cheaper way to reach a 0 percent commerce fee, while Linktree Premium at $35/month adds team features Beacons gates at the $90/month Business Pro tier.
Which is better for beginners?
Linktree. Simpler interface, fewer decisions, 2-minute setup. Beacons has more features but a steeper learning curve. If you only need a link list and want zero learning curve, start with Linktree free or Bio Sites by Squarespace before paying anyone.
Which is better for monetization?
Beacons. Native digital products, native email marketing, and AI-generated media kits make it a complete creator-business platform. Linktree links out to external stores (Shopify, Gumroad, Spring) instead of selling natively.
Is Beacons' 9 percent transaction fee worth paying around?
It depends on volume. Selling under $100/month? Free plan is fine. Selling $500+/month? Beacons Store Pro at $30/mo zeroes the fee and pays for itself by around $334/mo in revenue. Linktree Premium at $35/mo also gets you to 0 percent commerce but costs $5 more than Beacons Store Pro for the same outcome.
The Verdict
Beacons Wins For:
- Monetizing creators (native store, 0% fees available)
- Email marketers (built-in email tool)
- Brand collaborations (AI media kit)
- All-in-one seekers (links + email + commerce)
- Course/digital product sellers
Linktree Wins For:
- Simplicity seekers (fastest setup)
- Link-only needs (no extra features)
- Integration lovers (connects to existing tools)
- Risk-averse users (established brand)
- Minimal maintenance (set and forget)
Shelfy Wins For:
- Budget-conscious users (truly free forever)
- Teams (free collaboration)
- Multiple collections (organized pages)
- API/automation (developer-friendly)
- Custom domains (free white-label)
Overall Recommendation
For most creators building a business: Start with Beacons. The free plan is generous, and you'll grow into the monetization features. Upgrade when transaction fees exceed plan cost.
For most casual users: Start with Linktree. It's simple, reliable, and sufficient for basic needs.
For teams, agencies, or budget-conscious power users: Start with Shelfy. Professional features free forever is unbeatable value.
Related Reading
Tool Comparisons:
- The Best Link in Bio Tool: Complete Comparison Guide (2026)
- Shelfy vs Linktree: An Honest Comparison After the 2025 Price Hike (2026)
- Shelfy vs Beacons: An Honest Comparison for Creators (2026)
- Free Link in Bio Tools: What's Actually Free vs Hidden Costs
- How to Switch from Linktree: Complete Migration Guide (2026)
- Shelfy vs Raindrop.io
Niche Guides:
- Link in Bio for Coaches
- Link in Bio for Musicians
- Link in Bio for E-commerce
- Link in Bio for YouTubers
- Link in Bio for Podcasters
- Link in Bio for Newsletter Operators
- Instagram Link in Bio Guide
Last updated: May 2026. Linktree pricing reflects the 2025 Premium tier hike from $24 to $35/mo. Beacons pricing verified against beacons.ai/i/plans as of refresh.