Best Replug Alternative: Shorten, Track, & Optimize

Replug serves as a decent link shortener, but it falls short in terms of affordability and user-friendliness.

In our testing, we found a few significant areas where Replug lags behind:

• Lack of beginner-friendly dashboard,
• No custom-branded domain in lower plan,
• Short link redirection with 302 header code,
• Restrictive click limits coupled with high pricing plans.

If you’re exploring alternatives to Replug without breaking the bank, you’ve landed in the right spot. 😎

Enter Linko, the solution that not only addresses these shortcomings but also revolutionizes your link optimization strategy.

Stay with us as we delve into a detailed comparison between Replug and Linko and discover how Linko can transform your approach to link management.

Don’t settle for less when the best Replug alternative is just a few clicks away.

A quick review of Replug and Linko: Replug alternative

Replug’s premium features are primarily for businesses and agencies, whereas Linko’s premium features are equally available to individuals and businesses.

Pricing comparison: Cheaper alternative to Replug

Linko and Replug have almost the same pricing but offer different plans and feature limitations.

Replug allows you to create an unlimited number of short URLs, but their plans limit the number of clicks you can receive each month.

But Linko offers an unlimited number of short URLs and clicks, regardless of whether you choose our individual or agency plan.

Let’s compare Linko pricing vs Replug pricing.

Monthly Pricing

Tools	Free Plan	Basic/Individual	Professional/Business	Agency
Replug	No Free Plan	$19/month	$49/month	$79/month
Linko	$0/month	$19/month	$49/month	$69/month

Annual/Lifetime Pricing

Tools	Free Plan	Basic/Individual	Professional/Business	Agency
Replug	No Free Plan	$180/annual	$468/annual	$756/annual
Linko	$0/lifetime	$290/lifetime	$490/lifetime	$690/lifetime

Linko vs Replug: Features and Benefits

In terms of features and benefits, Replug and Linko both claim to be a complete link management solution.

However, both offer a comprehensive set of features and tools that every digital marketer needs.

But first, let’s look at the similarities between Linko and Replug and how they can benefit your business or online presence.

Link Shortener

A link shortener is a tool that converts long URLs into shorter, more manageable, and more memorable links.

Shortened URLs are used in sharing on social media or in messages to save space and improve readability.

Linko and Replug both have a robust URL shortener that comes with advanced targeting and retargeting features.

As I previously stated, Replug’s URL shortening dashboard is not user-friendly for beginners. However, Linko’s dashboard for link shortening is simple and easy to use.

Linko allows you to shorten a single or multiple links at once, whereas Replug only allows you to shorten one link at a time.

Benefits of short link

• Short links drive more clicks by making URLs concise and shareable. Maximize your online presence with easily memorable links that attract clicks across platforms.
• Customize short links to reinforce your brand identity with each click. Build trust and visibility by sharing recognizable links tailored to your brand.
• Short links simplify the user experience and increase engagement rates. Encourage interaction and conversions with easily accessible content.
• Short link analytics can help you understand click data and user behavior. Optimize your marketing strategies and make informed decisions to help your business grow.

The number of features available in Linko and Replug for link shortening.

Features For Link Shortening	Linko	Replug
Number of Short Links	50 – Unlimited	Unlimited
Number of Link Click	1,000 – Unlimited	10K – Unlimited
Redirects	Yes	Yes
Branded Links	Yes	Yes
UTM Tags	Yes	Yes
Custom Parameters	Yes	No
Parameter Forwarder	Yes	Yes
Custom URL Back-Half	Yes	Yes
Password Protection	Yes	Yes
Link Scheduling	Yes	No
Link Expiration By Date & Time	Yes	Yes
Link Expiration By Click	Yes	No
Link Expiration Redirection	Yes	No
Link Expiration Image	No	Yes
Link Tags	Yes	Yes
Hide Referrer	Yes	No
A/B Testing	Yes	Yes
Link Cloaking	Yes	No
Geo-Targeting	Yes	Yes
Device Targeting	Yes	Yes
Browser Targeting	No	Yes
OS Targeting	Yes	Yes
Language Targeting	Yes	No
IP Targeting	Yes	Yes
Targeting by Date	No	Yes
Targeting by Day of Week	No	Yes
Custom Favicon	Yes	Yes
Social Sharing Preview	Yes	Yes

Link Management

Link management refers to the process of organizing, customizing (branding), and optimizing your links.

Linko and Replug both strive to provide all of the features that typical online users, professional digital marketers, or agencies require.

However, at Linko, we believe that we provide more and better features than Replug for link management in any digital marketing aspect.

But before we get into the features that these two best link shorteners offer, let us go over some of the benefits of link management.

Benefits of link management

• Link management optimizes your links to increase online exposure by making them shorter and shareable.
• Customize shortened links to ensure consistent branding and increase brand recognition with each click. Establish trust and credibility by using a consistent brand identity across all marketing channels.
• You can analyze link performance and user engagement to improve the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Also, gain valuable insights to help you improve your approach and achieve success.
• A link management tool allows you to add retargeting pixels to your links. This allows you to track user interactions and retarget website visitors with personalized ads, leading to higher conversion rates.

The number of features available in Linko and Replug for link management.

Features For Link Management	Linko	Replug
Bio Links	Yes	Yes
QR Codes	Yes	Yes
File Sharing	Yes	No
Send SMS via Twilio	Yes	No
Campaigns	Yes	Yes
Channels/Folders	Yes	Yes
Archived Link Management	Yes	Yes
Expired Link Management	Yes	No
Broken Links Management	Yes	No
Import Links	Yes	Yes
Export Links	Yes	Yes
Custom Splash Pages	Yes	No
Call to Actions (CTAs)	Yes	Yes
Branded Domain	Yes	Yes
Regargeting Pixels	Yes	Yes
RSS CTA	Yes	No
RSS Automation	No	Yes
Email Report	Yes	Yes
Custom Report	Yes	No
Link Analytics	Yes	Yes
Recycle Bin	Yes	No
Developer API	Yes	Yes
Chrome Extension	Yes	Yes

Link Analytics

The second most important reason for shortening a link or using a link shortener is link analytics/statistics.

Link analytics is a key factor for tracking the number of clicks, analyzing the performance of links, and optimizing campaigns.

So, a link shortener should provide basic or advanced statistics for shortened links, allowing you to track their performance over time.

Fortunately, Replug and Linko are two of the top URL shorteners that offer advanced link analytics.

But first, let’s discuss the benefits of link analytics and which tools provide what types of data within analytics.

Benefits of link analytics

• Link analytics help you refine your marketing strategies and improve your online performance.
• You can get real-time visibility into your link performance by tracking clicks, conversions, and user engagement to assess the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
• Analyzing link metrics allows you to optimize your resources and investments for higher returns. Identify top-performing channels and strategically allocate resources to maximise ROI.
• Link analytics enable you to make more informed decisions by providing valuable information on audience preferences and trends.

The number of features available in Linko and Replug for link analytics.

Link Analytics Features	Linko	Replug
Click/Scan Data History	30 days – Unlimited	N/A
Analytics Custom Date Range	Yes	Yes
Country-Level Data	Yes	Yes
City-Level Data	Yes	No
Browser Data	Yes	Yes
Language Data	Yes	No
Device Data	Yes	Yes
Referrer Data	Yes	Yes
A/B Testing	Yes	No
Real-Time Analytics	Yes	Yes
Private/Public Reports	Yes	No
Custom Report Builder	Yes	No
Your Logo In Reports	Yes	No
Aggregated Reports	Yes	No
Link-in-bio Button Clicks	Yes	No
Link-in-bio Views	Yes	No
Link-in-bio Performance History	Yes	No
Link-in-bio Analytics Custom Date Range	Yes	No
Data Export	Yes	Yes
GDPR Compliant	Yes	Yes

---

Read More Comaprisons

---

Bio Links

A Bio Link, or Link in Bio, is a link hub that contains all of your important links.

Since 2016, the landscape of bio pages has shifted dramatically, expanding far beyond their original purpose as link repositories.

Today, bio pages have evolved into dynamic websites, also known as mini-online stores.

Replug does have a Bio Link tool, but it is very basic, with only 7 widgets/blocks for creating a bio page.

However, Linko, like its advanced link shortener, provides a comprehensive and robust Link in Bio tool, which includes 36 widgets/blocks to create a stunning Link in Bio.

Let’s talk about some benefits of link-in-bio.

Benefits of Bio links

• A link in bio combines multiple links into one, making navigation easier for users.
• With a bio link, you can promote multiple web pages or products without overwhelming your audience.
• Streamline your promotional efforts by sending followers to relevant content via a single link.
• Improve the user experience and increase conversions by making it simple for users to access your offerings.
• Bio Page tools provide useful analytics, such as click-through rates, traffic sources, and user demographics, that can help you target specific audiences.

The number of features available in Linko and Replug’s Link in Bio tool.

Link in Bio Features	Linko	Replug
Bio Page Quantity	1 – Unlimited	5 -50
Branding	Removable	Removable
Profile Image	Yes	Yes
Widgets/Blocks	36	7
Social Networks	22	28
Header Layout	Yes	No
Pre-Designed Themes	Yes	Yes
Custom Background Colors	Yes	Yes
GIF For Background	Yes	No
Image For Background	Yes	No
Button & Font Styles	Yes	No
Font Types	Yes	No
Button Animation	Yes	No
Retargeting Pixels	Yes	Yes
Password Protection	Yes	No
Schedule	Yes	No
Custom HTML	Yes	No
Custom CSS	Yes	No
Link-in-bio QR Code	Yes	Yes
Sensitive Content	Yes	No
Meta Tags For SEO	Yes	Yes
Subscribe	Yes	No
Geo Targeting	Yes	No
Language Targeting	Yes	No
Client Portal: Bio Editor Sharing	Yes	No

QR Codes

QR codes are the second most frequently used asset in digital and offline marketing.

QR codes are now widely used in both online and offline applications, ranging from online payments to contactless menus in restaurants.

It enables seamless interactions between customers and businesses, providing quick access to information, promotions, and transactions.

As far as I see, I haven’t found any QR code generatortools in Replug yet.

But Linko offers an advanced QR code generator tool with 14 different QR code types and advanced customization options.

Let’s see what type of QR code we offer at Linko’s QR code generator.

Dynamic QR Codes	Static QR Codes
vCard QR Code	Text QR Code
Link QR Code	WiFi QR Code
SMS QR Code	Event QR Code
Email QR Code	Static vCard QR Code
WhatsApp QR Code	SMS & Message QR Code
Phone Number QR Code
Application QR Code
File Sharing QR Code
Cryptocurrency QR Code

By the way, you can also use our free QR code generator tool without creating an account at Linko.

Benefits of QR Codes

• QR codes enable quick access to information and services with a single scan, improving the user experience and engagement.
• QR codes enable safe and convenient transactions while minimizing physical touchpoints in a variety of contexts, such as payments and ticketing.
• You can track QR code scans, measure user interaction, and learn more about the preferences and behavior of your customers with the analytics tools that a QR code generator provides.
• QR codes are accessible to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities, because they can be scanned with smartphone accessibility features like screen readers and voice commands.

The number of features available in Replug and Linko’s QR Code generator.

QR Code Features	Linko	Replug
QR Code limit	1 – Unlimited	N/A
Scans	Unlimited	N/A
QR Code Types	14	N/A
Redirects	Yes	No
Frames	Yes	No
Custom Logo	Yes	No
Color Options	Yes	No
Pattern Customizations	Yes	No
Download Format	PDF/PNG/WebP/SVG	No

A/B Testing

A/B testing is the process of comparing two different versions of something.

A/B testing in link shortening involves comparing two versions of a shortened link to see which one performs better in terms of click-through rates, conversions, or other metrics.

This method allows marketers (you) to optimize link performance by testing variations such as different call-to-action phrases, link placements, or landing pages.

The A/B testing feature in Linko and Replug is nearly identical and works in the same way.

You can add multiple different links for A/B testing and specify the percentage of traffic distribution for each link.

However, at Linko, we also have an equal and random link rotator (random A/B testing) feature.

Let’s see what the benefits of A/B testing are.

Benefits of A/B Testing

• A/B testing refines strategies by comparing variations and determining the most effective approach, thereby improving overall performance.
• Experiment with different elements to maximize conversion rates and tailor marketing campaigns to achieve better results.
• A/B testing ensures a more personalized user experience, lowering bounce rates and increasing customer satisfaction.
• Use real-time data to iteratively improve strategies and maintain a competitive advantage.

The number of features available in Replug and Linko’s A/B testing.

A/B Testing Features	Linko	Replug
A/B Testing	Yes	Yes
Add Multiple Links	Yes	Yes
Determine the traffic percentage	Yes	Yes
A/B Testing Stats in Link Analytics	Yes	No

Retargeting Pixels

A retargeting pixel is a snippet of code embedded within shortened links that tracks user behavior and displays targeted advertisements to people who have previously visited a website or interacted with specific content.

Retargeting pixels enables marketers to connect with potential customers who have expressed interest in their products or services, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Linko and Replug both have a retargeting pixel feature that you can embed in your shortened links to recover lost leads or sales.

However, with Replug’s basic plan, you can only add 1 retargeting pixel, whereas Linko’s individual plan allows you to add 20 retargeting pixels for the same price.

Let us talk about some benefits of retargting pixels.

Benefits of retargeting pixels

• Retargeting pixels allow you to send highly targeted ads to interested users, increasing your conversion rates.
• Remind previous visitors about products or actions, encouraging them to complete purchases and increasing ROI.
• Consistent exposure across multiple platforms strengthens brand recognition, fostering trust and loyalty.
• Targeting familiar prospects ensures effective budget allocation, which optimizes advertising spending.

The number of retargeting pixel platforms that Replug and Linko support.

Retargeting Pixel Platforms	Linko	Replug
Google Tag Manager	Yes	Yes
Google Analytics	Yes	Yes
Google Ads	Yes	Yes
Bing	Yes	No
Facebook	Yes	Yes
LinkedIn	Yes	Yes
X (Twitter)	Yes	Yes
Pinterest	Yes	Yes
Snapchat	Yes	No
AdRoll	Yes	No
Quora	Yes	Yes
TikTok	Yes	Yes
Reddit	Yes	No

Deep Linking

Deep linking is the process of creating shortened URLs that direct users to specific pages or sections of a website or mobile application.

This method bypasses the traditional navigation process, allowing users to quickly access desired content without having to navigate multiple pages.

Marketers use deep linking to improve the user experience by making it easier to find relevant information, increasing engagement, and boosting conversion rates.

Replug and Linko both provide deep linking features in addition to native universal links.

Let’s see the benefits of using deep linking.

Benefits of deep linking

1. Deep linking directs users to relevant content, increasing their satisfaction and engagement.
2. It ensures a smooth transition from web to app, enhancing the user experience and encouraging more app installations.
3. Deep linking improves the discoverability of valuable content, which boosts overall SEO performance and drives organic traffic.
4. Deep linking in mobile apps promotes smooth transitions between web and app content, which increases user retention and engagement.

Call To Actions Overlay

A call-to-action (CTA) overlay, also known as a small side-bottom popup, is a prompt that appears on a webpage to encourage users to complete a specific action.

CTAs are typically placed in the bottom corner or as overlays, allowing users to subscribe, download, or engage further with the content.

CTAs in link shortening increase engagement and conversions by capturing the user’s attention at critical points in the journey.

Linko and Replug both provide call-to-action overlays, but they are not identical.

Replug provides better and more diverse display triggers and popup triggers, but it only supports 3 CTA types.

However, Linko supports 6 CTA types but does not support display or popup triggers. Linko also provides CTAs on the RSS feed.

Benefits of call-to-action (CTA) overlay

• CTA overlays encourage users to take action, which improves engagement with your content or offers.
• You can increase the number of targeted clicks or leads by adding a custom CTA to your branded short links.
• CTAs direct users to specific actions, which effectively increases conversion rates.
• Call-to-action overlays make navigation easier, improve the user experience, and reduce friction for more seamless interactions.

The number of CTA overlays that Replug and Linko support.

CTA Overlay Features	Linko	Replug
CTA Contact/Form	Yes	Yes
CTA Message/Button	Yes	Yes
CTA Image	Yes	No
CTA Poll	Yes	No
CTA Newsletter	Yes	No
CTA Coupon	Yes	No
CTA Link	No	Yes
RSS CTA	Yes	No
Display Trigger	No	Yes
Popup Trigger	No	Yes
CTA Customizations	Yes	Yes

Making the Right Choice: Is Linko the best Replug alternative?

Whether Linko is the best Replug alternative or not is entirely dependent on your needs, features, and ease of use.

When comparing these two best link management tools, we can conclude that they both provide almost all of the features that digital marketers and agencies require for link management.

However, we have discussed in detail the pros of both link shorteners, including their benefits and features.

But let us look at their cons and decide which one you should choose.

FAQs