Looking for a Linktree alternative that costs less and doesn't police your content? Here's a detailed comparison of Olio and Linktree to help you decide which link-in-bio tool is right for you.
Quick Verdict
Choose Olio if: You want premium features at a fraction of the price, value free expression, or you're tired of platforms with arbitrary content rules and surprise account bans.
Choose Linktree if: Brand recognition matters most to you, or you need enterprise-level features like team admin roles and dedicated account managers.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Olio | Linktree |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 3 active links, basic analytics, light/dark themes | Unlimited links, very limited customization |
| Premium Price | $3/month | $5-$24/month |
| Unlimited Links | Premium ($3/mo) | Free |
| Remove Platform Branding | Premium ($3/mo) | Pro ($9/mo) |
| Analytics | Basic free / Enhanced on Premium | Basic free / Advanced on Pro ($9/mo) |
| Link Scheduling | Premium ($3/mo) | Starter ($5/mo) |
| Contact Form/Inbox | Premium ($3/mo) | Not available |
| QR Code Generator | Premium ($3/mo) | Free |
| Custom Themes | 7 premium themes | Limited free / More on paid |
| SEO Tools (Meta, OG Tags, Schema) | Premium ($3/mo) | Pro ($9/mo) - limited |
| AI Tools | Included | Not available |
| Custom Domain | Not currently offered | Pro ($9/mo) |
| Content Policy | Clear rules, no political moderation | Strict, vague policies - bans reported |
Where Linktree Wins
Linktree is the category leader for a reason. Here's where they have the edge:
Brand Recognition
With over 40 million users, Linktree is synonymous with "link in bio." Your audience knows what it is, and the linktr.ee domain is instantly recognizable.
Unlimited Free Links
Linktree's free plan allows unlimited links. Olio's free tier caps you at 3 active links (with unlimited archived links).
Custom Domains
On Linktree's Pro plan ($9/month), you can use your own domain (like links.yourbrand.com). Olio doesn't currently offer this feature.
Enterprise Features
For large teams and businesses, Linktree offers admin roles, custom contracts, and dedicated customer success managers on their Premium plan ($24/month).
Integrations Ecosystem
Linktree integrates with Shopify, Mailchimp, Google Sheets, Spotify, and dozens of other platforms. Their ecosystem is more mature.
Where Olio Wins
1. Price - And It's Not Even Close
This is the biggest difference. Here's what you pay for comparable features:
| Feature | Olio | Linktree |
|---|---|---|
| Remove branding | $3/mo | $9/mo |
| Link scheduling | $3/mo | $5/mo |
| Enhanced analytics | $3/mo | $9/mo |
| SEO optimization | $3/mo | $9/mo |
2. No Censorship or Arbitrary Bans
This is Olio's core differentiator. Linktree has faced criticism for vague content policies and unexpected account terminations. Users have reported being banned without clear explanations or easy appeal processes.
Olio takes a different approach: if your content is legal (no adult content, no promotion of violence, no illegal activity), your account is safe. No political moderation, no walking on eggshells, no surprise bans because an algorithm flagged your links.
For creators in controversial niches - whether that's political commentary, alternative health, firearms, crypto, or anything else that makes mainstream platforms nervous - this matters.
3. Built-in Contact Form with Inbox
Olio Premium includes a contact form that lets visitors message you directly. Messages are saved to your dashboard - no third-party email service required.
Linktree doesn't offer a native contact inbox. You'd need to link out to a separate contact page or integrate with external tools.
4. Better SEO Out of the Box
Olio Premium includes:
- Custom meta descriptions
- Open Graph tags (controls how your page looks when shared on social)
- Schema markup (helps search engines understand your page)
- Custom SEO titles
Linktree offers basic SEO settings on Pro ($9/month), but it's limited. And since all Linktree pages live on the linktr.ee domain, you're building their SEO, not yours.
5. AI-Powered Tools
Olio includes AI assistance for generating link descriptions and checking content policies. Linktree doesn't offer native AI tools.
6. Transparent, Simple Rules
Olio's content policy fits in three bullet points:
- No adult/pornographic content
- No promotion of violence
- No illegal activity
That's it. Compare that to Linktree's extensive Community Standards document covering everything from "misinformation" to content that "jeopardizes public safety" - vague categories that have led to account bans users didn't see coming.
Linktree Pricing Breakdown (2025)
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Unlimited links, basic themes, Linktree branding, basic analytics |
| Starter | $5 | $4 | More themes, link scheduling |
| Pro | $9 | $7.50 | Remove branding, custom domains, better analytics, email collection |
| Premium | $24 | $19.50 | Priority support (4-hour response), dedicated success manager, onboarding call |
- Transaction fees apply if you accept payments or tips
- Refund policy is strict - users report difficulty getting refunds on annual plans
- Customer support on non-Premium plans can take 24-48 hours
Olio Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 active links, unlimited archived, basic analytics, light/dark themes, custom SEO title, link categorization |
| Premium | $3/month | Unlimited links, 7 premium themes, enhanced analytics (device, geo, time), link scheduling, QR codes, contact form inbox, custom avatar, custom bio, full SEO suite, AI tools, no branding, priority support |
No annual commitment required. No hidden fees. Cancel anytime.
What Users Say About Linktree
Based on reviews from Trustpilot (6,900+ reviews), Capterra, and G2:
What people like:
- Easy to set up
- Recognizable and trusted
- Gets the basic job done
Common complaints:
- "Limited customization, even on paid plans"
- "All Linktree pages look the same"
- "Customer support is slow unless you're on Premium"
- "Got banned without warning" - multiple users report unexpected account terminations
- "Cancellation process is frustrating"
- "Billing issues and difficulty getting refunds"
One recurring theme: users feel nickel-and-dimed. Basic features like removing the Linktree logo require a $9/month subscription.
The Censorship Question
This deserves its own section because it's increasingly important to creators.
Linktree's Community Standards prohibit content that "jeopardizes public safety," spreads "misinformation," or could "impede electoral processes." These categories are subjective and have led to account suspensions that caught users off guard.
In 2018, Instagram temporarily flagged all Linktree links as spam. In 2022, Twitter/X briefly banned link-in-bio tools entirely. While both platforms reversed course, it highlighted how dependent users are on platforms that can change rules overnight.
Olio was built specifically for people who've experienced - or worry about - this kind of deplatforming. The philosophy is simple: legal content stays up. Your views, your profession, your associations don't factor into moderation decisions.
This matters if you're:
- A political commentator (left, right, or anywhere else)
- In a stigmatized but legal industry
- Someone who's been burned by platform moderation before
- Anyone who values predictability over arbitrary rules
Who Should Use Each Platform?
Olio is best for:
- Budget-conscious creators who want premium features without premium prices
- Free speech advocates and anyone wary of content moderation overreach
- Creators in controversial niches who need a reliable platform that won't surprise-ban them
- Small businesses and professionals who want a clean, simple link page with good SEO
- Anyone frustrated with Linktree's pricing - get more for $3 than Linktree offers at $9
Linktree is best for:
- Users who need custom domains - Olio doesn't offer this yet
- Enterprise teams requiring admin roles, SLAs, and dedicated support
- E-commerce focused creators who need deep Shopify/payment integrations
- Anyone who values brand recognition above all else
Switching from Linktree to Olio
Making the switch takes about 5 minutes:
- Sign up at olio.am - it's free
- Add your links - manually copy them from Linktree (there's no import tool, but with a link-in-bio page, you probably have 5-15 links max)
- Choose a theme - pick from 7 color palettes
- Customize - add your avatar, bio, and SEO details
- Update your social bios - replace your linktr.ee URL with your new olio.am link
Your audience won't notice a difference - except your page might load faster and look better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olio really just $3/month?
Yes. Premium is $3/month, cancel anytime, no hidden fees. The free tier is genuinely free with 3 active links.
Why is Olio so much cheaper than Linktree?
Olio is built by a small team focused on value over venture-capital growth metrics. No bloated overhead, no pressure to maximize revenue per user.
What does "censorship-free" actually mean?
It means Olio won't remove your content based on your political views, profession, or associations. The rules are simple: no adult content, no promotion of violence, no illegal activity. Everything else is allowed.
Does Olio have analytics?
Yes. Free users get basic analytics. Premium users get enhanced analytics including device types, geographic location, and time-based data.
Can I use my own domain with Olio?
Not currently. This is one area where Linktree (at $9/month) has an advantage. If custom domains are essential for you, that's worth considering.
What if I have more than 3 links but don't want to pay?
Olio's free tier allows unlimited archived links - you just can't have more than 3 active at once. For most users who want unlimited active links, the $3/month Premium tier is worth it.
The Bottom Line
Linktree is the safe, default choice. It's the platform everyone knows, and it works fine if you're willing to pay their prices and follow their rules.
Olio is for people who want more for less - and who value straightforward policies over corporate content moderation. At $3/month for features that cost $9+ on Linktree, the value proposition is hard to ignore.
Ready to try Olio?
Create Your Free PageLast updated: December 2025