Every creator with a social media presence needs a link-in-bio solution. Instagram, TikTok, and X only give you one link — and you need it to do a lot of work.
The link-in-bio space has evolved far beyond simple link lists. Modern tools act as mini-storefronts, email collection points, and conversion machines. This guide compares the best options for different creator needs.
1. Stan Store — Best for Selling
Price: Creator $29/month
Stan Store has become the default link-in-bio tool for creators who monetize. It’s not just a link page — it’s a complete storefront that sits in your bio.
What you can sell through Stan:
- Digital products (ebooks, templates, presets)
- Online courses
- 1-on-1 coaching and calendar bookings
- Memberships and subscriptions
- Lead magnets (free downloads for email collection)
Why creators love it:
- All-in-one: link page + store + email collection + calendar
- No transaction fees beyond payment processor (Stripe)
- Beautiful, mobile-optimized design
- Built-in analytics
- Funnel building — link directly to product checkout
Best for: Creators who sell digital products, courses, coaching, or memberships
Limitation: $29/month is expensive if you’re just starting out and only need basic links.
2. Linktree — Best for Simplicity
Price: Free / Pro $5/month / Premium $9/month
Linktree pioneered the link-in-bio category and remains the simplest option. If you just need a clean page with links to your content across platforms, Linktree does it with zero friction.
Features:
- Unlimited links
- Basic analytics (click counts)
- Customizable themes and branding
- Email/SMS collection (Pro)
- Scheduling links (Pro)
- Priority link highlighting
Best for: Creators who want a no-fuss link page, not a storefront
Limitation: Limited selling capabilities. If you outgrow basic links, you’ll likely migrate.
3. Beacons — Best Free Feature Set
Price: Free (full-featured) / Creator Pro $10/month
Beacons offers more free features than any other link-in-bio tool. The free tier includes a storefront, email collection, request forms, and media kit generation.
Why creators choose Beacons:
- Free tier is genuinely generous — most competitors charge for similar features
- Built-in store for digital products
- Media kit generator (for brand deals)
- Email marketing built in
- Beautiful, customizable templates
- Tip jar and donation support
Best for: Creators who want a feature-rich tool without paying, especially those pursuing brand deals (media kit feature is a standout)
Limitation: Takes a 9% transaction fee on the free tier. Creator Pro removes this.
4. Koji — Best for Interactive Experiences
Price: Free (with transaction fees) / Pro $5/month
Koji takes a different approach — instead of a static link page, it offers interactive “apps” that create engaging experiences. Think: mini-games, Q&A, wishlist links, and custom interactive content.
Best for: Creators who want something more creative and interactive than a link list
5. Bio.fm — Best for Content Embedding
Price: Free / Pro $5/month
Bio.fm lets you embed content directly on your link page — YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, Instagram posts, TikToks — so visitors can engage with your content without leaving the page.
Best for: Musicians, video creators, and anyone whose content is best consumed directly
6. Your Own Website — Best for Long-Term
Price: $5-15/month (hosting) or free (Carrd)
The ultimate link-in-bio is a page on your own website. A simple yourname.com/links page gives you:
- Complete design control
- SEO value (links point to your domain)
- No platform risk (you own it)
- No monthly link-in-bio subscription
- Room to grow into a full website/blog
How to set it up:
- Carrd ($19/year) — The fastest way to create a one-page site with links
- WordPress — More setup, unlimited flexibility
- Ghost — If you also run a newsletter
- HTML page on your existing site — Zero additional cost
Best for: Creators thinking long-term who want full control
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Stan Store | Linktree | Beacons | Own Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | No ($29/mo) | Yes | Yes | Depends |
| Digital product sales | Excellent | Basic | Good | Custom |
| Course hosting | Yes | No | Yes | Custom |
| Email collection | Yes | Pro only | Yes (free) | Custom |
| Booking/calendar | Yes | No | No | Custom |
| Custom domain | Yes | Pro only | Pro only | Yes |
| Analytics | Detailed | Basic-Good | Good | Full control |
| Media kit | No | No | Yes (free) | Custom |
| SEO value | Low | Low | Low | High |
Which Should You Choose?
Just need basic links? → Linktree (free)
Want to sell digital products? → Stan Store ($29/mo)
Want the most free features? → Beacons (free)
Pursuing brand deals? → Beacons (free media kit)
Thinking long-term? → Your own website
Want interactive/creative? → Koji
Pro Tips
-
Track your clicks. Every tool offers analytics — check weekly which links get the most clicks and reorder accordingly.
-
Put the most important link first. Your top link gets 40-60% more clicks than any other position.
-
Update regularly. Your link-in-bio should reflect your current priorities, not last month’s content.
-
Use a custom domain when possible. “yourname.com” in your bio looks more professional than a third-party URL.
-
Don’t overload with links. 5-8 links max. Too many choices leads to no choice.
The Bottom Line
For most creators starting out, Linktree (free) or Beacons (free) is fine. Once you start selling — digital products, coaching, courses — Stan Store becomes worth the $29/month because it replaces multiple tools (Gumroad + Calendly + Linktree + email collector).
The important thing is to have something in your bio that works. Don’t spend a week choosing between link-in-bio tools when you could spend that time creating content.
