Digital Link vs BL.INK:
Which one is the best choice?
The power of 2D barcodes: Why it matters
Choosing the right solution for managing 2D barcodes is about ensuring compliance, maximizing transparency, and enhancing customer engagement. At Digital Link, we specialize in GS1 Digital Links, providing a comprehensive solution designed for businesses that need more than just basic link tracking.
While some tools, like BL.INK, focus on link shortening, Digital Link is purpose-built for managing GS1 Digital Links and 2D barcodes as a core solution., Digital Link is built from the ground up with GS1 compliance and global supply chain needs in mind. Our expertise ensures brands have a solution tailored to product traceability, regulatory compliance, and seamless integrations.
In the following sections, we’ll break down the most important comparison points to help you make the best choice. Let’s take a closer look.
Pricing & scalability
One of the biggest advantages of Digital Link is that we offer a completely free plan with up to 5 GS1 Digital Links and unlimited scans—something BL.INK doesn’t provide. Additionally, Digital Link offers more cost-effective pricing for businesses that need scalable GS1 Digital Link solutions. As businesses scale, Digital Link continues to provide better value at every pricing tier, ensuring that compliance, security, and advanced customization remain accessible without unnecessary costs. Additionally, Digital Link’s paid plans offer more affordability while delivering advanced GS1 compliance and product traceability features. Businesses of all sizes can explore GS1 Digital Link QR codes with cost-effective scalability, ensuring regulatory adherence without unnecessary expenses.
Feature
Digital Link
BL.INK
Free plan
with 5 GS1 digital links
GS1 Digital Link QR codes
core feature
secondary feature
Custom domains
from Lite plan
higher-tier plans
Custom QR codes
in enterprise plans
QRBARCODES
Digital Product Passports
Custom landing pages
GS1 Global Forum sponsor
ISO certifications
- ISO 27001
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- IEC ISO 18004:2024
- ISO 27001
Smart packaging integration
Focus on GS1 Digital Links and industry leadership
At Digital Link, GS1 Digital Links are not just another feature—we are dedicated specialists in their implementation and optimization. We are proud partners of multiple GS1 organizations, including GS1 UK and GS1 Australia, and we have been official sponsors of the GS1 Global Forum 2025, where we showcased our cutting-edge solution to the world. Leading brands such as ALQVIMIA, NIFA, Salssa, Zoé Water, and Canigooil already trust Digital Link for their GS1 Digital Link needs. We ensure that brands can seamlessly connect physical products to digital experiences, aligning with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
BL.INK, on the other hand, provides GS1 Digital Links as an additional feature within its link management system, but it does not specialize in comprehensive GS1 Digital Link solutions the way Digital Link does. While it covers basic needs, it may not offer the same level of tailored support and expertise that businesses focused on product traceability and compliance require.
Functionality & customization
We built Digital Link for brands that need seamless integration with retail, supply chain, and enterprise workflows. Our platform also allows full customization at multiple levels:
- Digital product passport: Fully customizable product pages that deliver dynamic and interactive content.
- Landing pages: Tailor-branded landing pages for an engaging user experience.
- Custom domains: Strengthen brand identity with dedicated custom domains.
- Custom QR codes: Personalize QR codes to align with your branding and design needs.
- QRBARCODES: Merge traditional barcodes with next-gen 2D barcodes for a seamless transition. From automated QR code management to role-based access control, our platform is designed to scale with your needs.
- API integration & bulk creation: Available from our Enterprise plan, enabling automated workflows and large-scale implementations.
BL.INK is better suited for basic marketing link tracking, but it doesn’t provide the depth of enterprise-grade usability that we offer, nor the deep GS1 integration that modern businesses require.
Ease of use & accessibility
At Digital Link, we believe that GS1 Digital Links should be intuitive and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Our platform is designed with a clear, structured interface, allowing users to quickly find what they need—whether it’s managing Digital Product Passports, customizing QR codes, or integrating supply chain solutions.
While BL.INK offers a range of features, some users may find its website structure and feature navigation less intuitive, as information is spread across multiple sections without a clear hierarchy. This can make it more time-consuming to locate key functionalities or understand the full scope of their GS1 Digital Link capabilities.
With Digital Link, everything is centralized, ensuring a seamless experience from setup to advanced customization, so businesses can focus on what matters most: enhancing traceability, compliance, and engagement.
Usability & user experience
We built Digital Link for brands that need seamless integration with retail, supply chain, and enterprise workflows. From automated QR code management to role-based access control, our platform is designed to scale with your needs.
Unlike other platforms, we have developed our own GS1-compliant resolver: Digital Link Resolver. This ensures that brands using Digital Link benefit from full control over link redirection, data tracking, and compliance management, without relying on third-party solutions. Our resolver is designed for enterprise-grade scalability, making it the most robust option for businesses that need precision, security, and compliance.
BL.INK is better suited for basic marketing link tracking, but it doesn’t provide the depth of enterprise-grade usability that we offer, nor the deep GS1 integration that modern businesses require.
Compliance & future-proofing
At Digital Link, compliance is at the core of what we do. We provide full support for GS1 standards, Digital Product Passports (DPP), enterprise APIs, and supply chain transparency initiatives.
We also ensure the highest security and quality standards, holding multiple ISO certifications, including:
- ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
- IEC ISO 18004:2024 – QR Code Standard Compliance
🔗 Learn more about our ISO certifications
BL.INK states that they are ISO 27001 compliant and SOC2 Type 2 accredited, but they do not provide publicly available certification documents or audit reports on their website to verify these claims. In contrast, Digital Link holds multiple ISO certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IEC ISO 18004:2024, ensuring full compliance with the highest security, quality, and regulatory standards. This makes Digital Link the superior choice for businesses that must adhere to strict compliance requirements with verifiable credentials.
Final verdict: Why Digital Link is the smartest choice
If your business needs a GS1 Digital Link solution built with compliance, security, and enterprise-grade scalability in mind, then Digital Link is the clear choice.
We provide an industry-leading platform for businesses that need full control over their product traceability and digital identity.
Brands today need more than basic tracking. They need a platform aligned with global standards, shopper expectations, and the digital transformation of supply chains.
With Digital Link, you’re not just managing links—you’re managing trust, compliance, and the future of digital connectivity.