I’m going to be super honest with you…

If all you want is a free link-in-bio tool, you shouldn’t stress too much about which one is “better.” 

Both Milkshake and LinkTree are awesome, free tools that allow you to gather all your links in one place. 

Milkshake has slightly flashier free designs than LinkTree, while LinkTree has a simpler, more straightforward approach.

However, things change when you want more than just a simple link-in-bio…when you’re actually looking to pay for extra features. 

Because that’s when these two tools become very different. 

In this article, I’m going to compare Milkshake vs Linktree head-to-head and compare all their features, so you can decide which one is better.

What’s the Difference Between Milkshake and Linktree?

Linktree is a link management tool. It launched in 2016 and currently has over 40 million creators on the platform. You get a simple vertical list of clickable links that’s clean, fast, and recognizable. Pricing ranges from a free plan (limited customization) up to $35/month for advanced features like email capture, unlimited post scheduling, and full analytics.

Milkshake is more of a mobile mini-website. Instead of a list, you build “cards,” swipeable sections that can hold links, text, images, YouTube embeds, and a shop. The whole thing is designed to be built from your phone. It’s mostly free, with optional upgrades if you want to remove the Milkshake branding or get extra features. 

Practically speaking, Linktree looks the same everywhere and is optimized for simplicity. Milkshake looks more like an Instagram Story page and is optimized for visual storytelling. Neither is objectively better; they’re built for different creator types.

Features Head-to-Head: Where Each Tool Wins

Here’s how these two tools stack up against each other: 

	Milkshake	LinkTree
Platform Type:	Mini Mobile Website	Link Management Tool
Best For:	People who want to build a super simple landing page for their Social Media	Anyone who wants a simple landing page for all their links (and wants some Social Media Management features)
Price:	Free = $0Lite = $2.99/moPro = $6.99/moPro+ = $10/mo	Free = $0Starter = $8/moPro = $15/moPremiums = $35/mo
Free Option:	✅With limited features	✅With limited features
E-Commerce Capabilities:	❌No direct checkout	✅❌Integration
Email Capture	✅	✅
Booking / Calendar Integration:	✅	✅❌Integration
Schedule Posting	❌	✅
Automatic Instagram Replies:	❌	✅
Analytics:	✅	✅
Customization:	✅	✅
Checkout / Payments:	❌	✅❌Integration

Milkshake vs LinkTree Pricing

Milkshake comes in 4 pricing tiers: 

• Free ($0) – Milkshake’s free plan gives you fun and easy site creation, free hosting forever, 30 days of analytics insights, unlimited links and cards, customizable templates, deep color and font customization, social links, and QR code sharing.
• Lite ($2.99/mo) – Allows you to get rid of Milkshake branding on your site. 
• Pro ($6.99/mo) – This plan gets you a bunch of tools like 365 days of analytics data, data export, contact forms, mailing list integrations, Meta pixel tracking, SEO tools, social sharing images, marketing campaign tools, the ability to hide cards, and priority support.
• Pro+ ($10/mo) – You get everything else plus a custom domain connection and Google Analytics integration for more advanced tracking and branding. 

Meanwhile, LinkTree also has 4 pricing tiers: 

• Free ($0) – LinkTree’s free plan gives you unlimited links, social icons and embeds, essential analytics, an SEO-optimized page, a unique QR code, and built-in monetization tools like Linktree Shops and digital product sales.
• Starter ($8/mo) – You can get custom themes, the ability to collect and manage subscribers, redirect links for promotions, social media scheduling, and reduced fees when selling digital products with LinkTree’s Starter Plan. 
• Pro ($15/mo) – The Pro gives you full customization with your own branding, featured and animated links, advanced analytics, automated Instagram replies, a link shortener with tracking, email integrations, and continued reduced seller fees.
• Premium ($35/mo) – Premium gets you everything plus concierge onboarding and priority support, unlimited social posts, team collaboration tools, unlimited Instagram auto-replies, and 0% seller fees with full commission on digital and affiliate sales

Head-to-Head: Which Tool Wins in Specific Situations?

Design and Customization

Milkshake wins on the free tier, and it’s not close. With Milkshake, you get full control over colors, fonts, and layouts for free. Linktree’s customization is mostly locked behind paid plans. On the free plan, your options are limited, which can be a problem if you want to build trust or sell something, because 94% of first impressions are design-related.

Pricing

Milkshake is free. Full stop. Linktree’s free plan exists, but it’s pretty bland and lacks customization. If cost is your problem, Milkshake is the way to go.

Analytics

Linktree wins here. You get click tracking, traffic source data, and performance metrics that actually help you understand what’s working. Milkshake’s analytics are basic; you’ll know if people are clicking, but not much more than that.

Monetization

Linktree wins on monetization. It supports direct product sales, tip jars, and payment links. Milkshake has a “shop” card, but you can’t process orders and payments on the platform. If you’re selling digital products or services directly from your bio, Linktree has better tools.

Ease of Setup

Milkshake wins for mobile-first creators. You can build your entire page from your phone in under 15 minutes. Linktree is also simple, but Milkshake’s drag-and-drop card system feels more intuitive if you’re used to building things on your phone.

Platform Fit

Milkshake’s swipeable card design mirrors Instagram Stories, so it feels native if your audience is on Instagram or TikTok. Linktree’s vertical list looks consistent everywhere, which makes it a better fit if you’re active across multiple platforms.

Milkshake vs LinkTree – Which One Converts Better? 

Here’s what I’ve noticed coaching creators: 

Milkshake’s card-based layout sometimes requires users to swipe through multiple cards to find your offer. That extra step creates friction. 

Meanwhile, Linktree’s vertical list makes all your links visible immediately, creating a” lower friction path to your CTA. Linktree’s format is more direct, which may help with conversions.

But there’s a flip side. Milkshake’s better visuals create more trust on first impression. If you’re a newer creator without a large following, a polished Milkshake page signals credibility in a way that a basic Linktree list doesn’t. 

That’s why I believe that Milkshake converts better on trust, while Linktree converts better on directness. 

Looking for more options for coaches? Check out my Pensight vs Stan Store comparison

Which One Is Right for You?

Choose Milkshake if:

• You’re just starting out and have zero budget to spend on tools
• You want a visually polished page without paying for Linktree’s premium tiers
• You’re building a faceless brand. Milkshake’s card templates create a professional, branded look without needing personal photos or a recognizable face
• Your primary platform is Instagram or TikTok, where the swipeable format feels native
• You’re in the early stage where building credibility matters more than tracking detailed analytics

Choose Linktree if:

• You’re already selling digital products or services and want built-in payment tools
• You need to know which links are getting clicks so you can optimize your content strategy
• You manage content across multiple platforms and want one consistent page that works everywhere
• You’re scaling up and want email capture, scheduling tools, and integrations with your marketing stack

If you have fewer than 1,000 followers and nothing to sell yet, use Milkshake. It’s free, it looks good, and it does everything you actually need right now. You can transfer to Linktree later when analytics and built-in monetization features become relevant to you.

FAQs

Is Milkshake completely free?

Yes. Milkshake is free to use with most features included. They have a cheap, $2.99/mo option to get rid of Milkshake branding, as well as more expensive tiers that give you more tools like email marketing, analytics, custom domains, and more. 

Does Linktree take a percentage of sales?

Yes, Linktree takes a commission cut on sales depending on which tier you sign up for. LinkTree takes 12% if you’re on a Free Plan, 9% if you have a Starter or Pro plan, and 0% if you have a Premium Plan. 

Can I use both Milkshake and Linktree at the same time?

Technically, yes, but there’s no practical reason to. Pick one and put that URL in your bio. 

Which is better for Instagram?

Milkshake. Its card-based design mimics the Instagram Stories interface, which makes it feel familiar to your Instagram audience. The visual customization also aligns well with Instagram’s design-forward culture.

Can you sell products with Milkshake?

Yes,  Milkshake has a “shop” card that lets you list products with prices and links. However, Milkshake cannot process orders or payments; it just shows you if someone placed an order, and it’s up to you to collect payment and send the product. If selling is your primary goal, go for LinkTree (or another platform like Stanstore, SamCart, or SnipFeed) instead. 

The Bottom Line

Milkshake wins for beginners, visual creators, and faceless content strategies, especially on a zero budget. Linktree wins for creators who are actively selling, need data to optimize their strategy, and are working across multiple platforms.

That said, I’ve seen creators with a basic free Linktree page make thousands of dollars a month because they knew what they were doing. And I’ve seen creators with beautifully designed Milkshake pages generate zero income because their offer was poor.

So instead of stressing over which tool is the best, spend more time working on creating an irresistible offer and a content system that showcases and sells that offer on autopilot. 

Want to create an offer as fast as possible?

Check out my AI Content Generator. 

With it, you’ll get tools, templates, and tons of ideas that you can use to grow (and monetize) your account as quickly as possible. 

So sign up here for instant access!