Milkshake vs Linktree is a clash of two design philosophies. Milkshake is a mobile-only, card-based builder that turns your bio link into a swipeable mini-magazine, built by Instagram creators for Instagram creators. Linktree is the flexible, cross-device standard with a simple vertical list that scales to as many links as you need.
Neither is "better" in the abstract. They suit different workflows, and the wrong pick shows up fast: Milkshake gets unwieldy past about ten cards, and Linktree never looks as designed as a good Milkshake page. Here is the honest comparison.
TL;DR
- Milkshake is mobile-only (no desktop editor), card-based, and visually striking. Free, with a $2.99/month Lite plan to remove branding.
- Linktree works on every device, uses a scrollable vertical list, and scales gracefully past ten links. Free plus $8 to $35/month tiers.
- Milkshake's catch: you can only edit it on your phone, it has no native checkout, and it gets cluttered beyond about ten cards.
- Linktree's catch: it never looks as designed as Milkshake, and its best features are paid.
- If you want cross-device editing with a custom domain and analytics free, Shelfy sits between them.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Milkshake | Linktree |
|---|---|---|
| Where you edit | Phone app only | Any device |
| Layout | Swipeable cards | Vertical list |
| Visual style | Magazine-like | Clean, simple |
| Scales past ~10 links | Gets unwieldy | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Remove branding | $2.99/mo (Lite) | $8/mo (Starter) |
| Custom domain | No | $15/mo (Pro) |
| Native checkout | No | Premium ($35/mo) |
| Best for | Mobile-first creators | Most use cases |
The core difference: cards vs a list
This is the whole comparison in one idea.
Milkshake builds your page as a set of swipeable cards, like flipping through a mini magazine on your phone. The card itself is the image, not a photo sitting inside a box, which makes pages look genuinely designed. It is gorgeous for a visual brand with a handful of things to feature.
Linktree builds your page as a vertical scrolling list of link buttons. It is plainer, but it is predictable, fast to scan, and it never runs out of room. Twenty links look fine; the list just keeps going.
So the question is really: do you want a designed, swipeable showcase for a few things (Milkshake), or a flexible list that holds everything (Linktree)?
Where Milkshake wins
- Design out of the box. Magazine-style card templates make a beautiful page with no design skill. Linktree pages always look like Linktree pages.
- Mobile-native workflow. Built to create entirely from your phone, which suits creators who never touch a desktop.
- Instagram-first. The whole product is tuned for Instagram creators showcasing a visual brand.
- Cheap branding removal. $2.99/month Lite removes Milkshake branding, cheaper than Linktree's $8/month Starter.
For a visual creator with a tight set of things to feature, Milkshake simply looks better.
Where Linktree wins
- Cross-device editing. You can build and edit on a desktop, which Milkshake does not allow at all. For anyone working at a computer, this is a real limitation of Milkshake.
- Scales past ten links. Linktree handles a long list gracefully. Milkshake gets unwieldy once you pass about ten cards, because swiping through many cards is tiring.
- More flexibility. Custom domains (Pro), more integrations, and commerce features (Premium) that Milkshake lacks.
- Brand recognition. A
linktr.ee/link is universally understood.
For most use cases beyond a small visual showcase, Linktree is the safer, more flexible choice.
The limits to know before you pick
Two specifics decide a lot of cases:
- Milkshake is phone-only. There is no web dashboard or desktop editor. If you do your work at a computer, you cannot edit your page there. That is a dealbreaker for some and irrelevant for others.
- Milkshake has no native checkout. You can link out to Shopify or Etsy, but there is no on-page payment, no Stripe, no buy buttons. Linktree adds commerce on its Premium tier.
If either matters to you, it likely settles the decision on its own.
The middle path: cross-device, designed, and free features
The honest tension in Milkshake vs Linktree is that Milkshake looks better but locks you to your phone with a small link ceiling, while Linktree is flexible but plainer and charges for its best features. If you want some of both, a third option is worth a look.
Shelfy is cross-device like Linktree, with the pro features both rivals gate, free:
| Feature | Milkshake | Linktree | Shelfy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit on desktop | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited links (scales) | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Custom domain | No | $15/mo | Free |
| Advanced analytics | Paid | $15/mo | Free |
| Multiple pages | No | No | Free |
| Price | Free to ~$8/mo | $0 to $35/mo | $0 |
Shelfy does not replicate Milkshake's swipeable card aesthetic; if that specific magazine look is your priority, Milkshake is the tool. But if you want cross-device editing, a custom domain, and analytics without paying, Shelfy covers that for free. See Shelfy vs Linktree and the best Linktree alternatives.
Try a free cross-device link page on Shelfy →
Which should you choose?
- Visual brand, few things to feature, work from your phone: Milkshake. It will look the best.
- Lots of links, or you edit on a computer: Linktree (or a cross-device free tool). Milkshake's phone-only, ten-card limits will frustrate you.
- You want design plus a custom domain and analytics for free: a cross-device free tool, accepting it is not card-swipe styled.
- You need on-page checkout: neither Milkshake nor basic Linktree; look at a commerce-focused tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milkshake better than Linktree?
For a visual creator with a small set of things to feature who works from their phone, Milkshake looks better thanks to its swipeable card design. For more links, cross-device editing, or flexibility, Linktree wins. Milkshake is mobile-only and gets unwieldy past about ten cards.
Can you edit Milkshake on a computer?
No. Milkshake is mobile-only, with no web dashboard or desktop editor. The entire experience lives in the iOS or Android app. If you need to edit your link page on a desktop, Linktree or a cross-device tool is required.
Is Milkshake free?
Yes, Milkshake is a free app. A Lite plan at $2.99/month removes its branding, and paid tiers add Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel tracking. Free users get basic analytics with one month of data.
Does Milkshake have a link limit?
Not a hard cap, but its card-based, swipeable design becomes unwieldy past about ten cards because swiping through many cards is tiring. Linktree's vertical list scales to far more links gracefully.
Can I sell products on Milkshake?
Not directly. Milkshake has no native checkout, Stripe integration, or payment buttons. You can link out to a Shopify or Etsy store, but the sale happens there. Linktree adds on-page commerce on its Premium tier.
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- How Much Does Linktree Cost?
Last updated: June 2026. Milkshake is a free, mobile-only card-based app ($2.99/mo Lite to remove branding) with no desktop editor or native checkout. Linktree pricing reflects the November 2025 increase ($8 to $35/mo).