AstroLink vs Beacons.ai: Honest Breakdown

A balanced, comprehensive comparison to help creators and businesses choose between AstroLink’s focused speed and Beacons.ai’s all-in-one creator platform.

When you’re building your online presence, your link-in-bio page is often the first real interaction potential followers, customers, or collaborators have with your brand. Both AstroLink and Beacons.ai solve the “one link” problem for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms, but they take fundamentally different approaches to what a link-in-bio tool should be.

This guide compares AstroLink and Beacons.ai across performance, pricing, features, and philosophy to help you decide which platform aligns with your goals, workflow, and values as a creator or business.

What is Beacons.ai?

Beacons.ai is an all-in-one creator platform that extends far beyond simple link-in-bio functionality. Launched in 2020, Beacons positions itself as a comprehensive suite of tools for monetisation, audience management, and content distribution. Alongside customisable link pages, Beacons offers email marketing, media kits, online stores, and fan engagement tools, all under one subscription.

Beacons appeals to creators who want to consolidate multiple tools into a single platform and are willing to trade some performance and simplicity for extensive built-in features.

What is AstroLink?

AstroLink is a minimal link-in-bio platform engineered for speed, simplicity, and privacy. Built on the modern Astro framework, AstroLink delivers sub-second page loads, built-in analytics, and clean design without unnecessary complexity. The philosophy is straightforward: do one thing exceptionally well—connect your audience to your most important content—without forcing you to adopt an entire ecosystem of tools you may not need.

AstroLink is ideal for creators and businesses who value fast, focused user experiences and prefer to choose their own email marketing, analytics, or e-commerce platforms rather than being locked into a single vendor’s suite.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Performance and Speed

AstroLink:

• Sub-second page loads (typically under 500ms)
• Built with Astro framework for minimal JavaScript
• Optimised assets and efficient code delivery
• Instant navigation on mobile networks
• No heavy tracking or third-party scripts

Beacons.ai:

• Standard load times (2-4 seconds depending on features enabled)
• Feature-rich platform with more JavaScript overhead
• Additional scripts for store, email capture, and analytics
• Can feel slower on congested or mobile networks
• Load time increases with more features active

Verdict: AstroLink wins decisively on raw speed. Beacons.ai’s all-in-one approach means more features, more code, and slower page loads. If you’ve ever lost a visitor because your page took too long to load, AstroLink’s performance advantage directly translates to more clicks and conversions. For creators who prioritise user experience and know that speed matters, AstroLink’s architecture is purpose-built for velocity.

Pricing and Value

AstroLink:

• Free (£0/month): Up to 5 links, colour themes, profile photo, bio section, social links, link tracking analytics
• Pro (£5.00/month or £49.00/year): Everything in Free, plus unlimited links, embedded video, background images, and hide AstroLink branding

Beacons.ai:

• Free (US$0/month): Unlimited links, basic page customisation, media kit, email marketing, online store (9% transaction fee on sales)
• Creator (US$10/month): Everything in Free, zero transaction fees, custom branding, priority support
• Creator Pro (US$25/month): Everything in Creator, plus advanced analytics, automation features, white-label options
• Business (Custom pricing): Enterprise-level features and support

Verdict: This depends entirely on what you need. Beacons.ai’s free plan offers unlimited links and access to email marketing and store features, making it attractive for creators who want an all-in-one solution without upfront costs. However, the 9% transaction fee on sales can add up quickly if you’re monetising through the platform. AstroLink’s free tier includes analytics and customisation without hidden fees, and the £5.00/month Pro plan unlocks everything for creators who need unlimited links and video embeds. If you’re focused purely on link-in-bio functionality, AstroLink offers better value. If you want built-in email marketing and store features, Beacons justifies its pricing with more tools.

Customisation and Branding

AstroLink:

• Colour themes on all plans
• Profile photo and bio section
• Social links section
• Background images (Pro plan)
• Hide branding (Pro plan)
• Clean, minimal design aesthetic
• Fast-loading themes that don’t sacrifice performance

Beacons.ai:

• Extensive theme library
• Profile photo and bio section
• Customisable fonts and colours
• Block-based layout editor
• Custom CSS (Creator Pro plan)
• Animation and transition effects
• Store and media kit sections

Verdict: Beacons.ai offers significantly more design flexibility with its block-based editor, animation effects, and extensive theme library. If you want granular control over layout and aesthetics, Beacons provides it. AstroLink’s customisation is more restrained, focusing on clean, professional designs that load instantly. If you value design creativity and don’t mind the performance trade-off, Beacons delivers. If you want a professional look without complexity or slowdown, AstroLink’s approach is refreshingly simple.

Analytics and Insights

AstroLink:

• Link tracking analytics on all plans
• Click-through data built-in
• No external tracking scripts required
• Privacy-focused data collection
• Real-time updates

Beacons.ai:

• Basic analytics on free plan
• Page views and click tracking
• Audience insights (Creator plan and above)
• Advanced analytics and conversion tracking (Creator Pro)
• Email marketing metrics (all plans)

Verdict: Both platforms provide meaningful analytics, but AstroLink includes click tracking immediately without requiring external tools or upgrades. Beacons.ai gates advanced analytics behind its Creator Pro plan but offers email marketing metrics that AstroLink doesn’t provide. If you need pure link performance data, AstroLink delivers it simply. If you’re running email campaigns and want unified metrics, Beacons’ integrated approach is convenient.

Privacy and Data Handling

AstroLink:

• No third-party tracking pixels by default
• Privacy-first analytics
• GDPR-compliant data collection
• Minimal data footprint
• No ads or cross-site tracking

Beacons.ai:

• Standard privacy policy
• GDPR and CCPA compliance
• User data may be processed for platform improvements
• Optional third-party integrations
• No ads on any plan

Verdict: AstroLink’s philosophy prioritises user privacy and minimal data collection, making it ideal for creators and businesses in regulated industries or regions with strict data laws. Beacons.ai meets compliance standards but collects more user data to power its email marketing and audience insights features. Both platforms are transparent about their practices; AstroLink simply defaults to fewer tracking mechanisms.

Features Unique to Beacons.ai

Beacons.ai is an all-in-one creator platform, offering tools that extend far beyond link-in-bio functionality:

1. Email marketing: Built-in email capture, campaigns, and automation
2. Online store: Sell digital products, memberships, or services directly
3. Media kit builder: Generate professional press kits with your stats and audience data
4. Fan engagement tools: Polls, quizzes, and interactive content blocks
5. Automation workflows: Trigger emails or actions based on visitor behaviour
6. Payment processing: Accept payments directly through Beacons (with transaction fees on free plan)

When Beacons.ai is better: You’re building a creator business from scratch and want one platform to handle links, email marketing, product sales, and audience engagement. You prefer convenience and integration over best-of-breed tools, and you’re willing to accept performance trade-offs for feature density.

Features Unique to AstroLink

AstroLink focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: fast, clean, analytics-ready link-in-bio pages.

1. Sub-second load times: Architected for speed from the ground up
2. Built-in analytics: No external scripts or accounts required
3. SEO and structured data: Pages are optimised for search engines out of the box
4. Embedded video: Pro plan unlocks video embeds without sacrificing speed
5. Privacy-first approach: Minimal tracking, no cross-site data sharing
6. Simple pricing: Free or £5.00/month, no hidden fees or transaction costs

When AstroLink is better: You prioritise fast, clean user experiences, want analytics without external tools, value privacy, prefer to choose your own email marketing and e-commerce platforms, or need a straightforward tool that doesn’t upsell you on features you won’t use.

Who Should Choose Beacons.ai?

Beacons.ai is the right choice if you:

• Want an all-in-one platform for links, email marketing, and product sales
• Are starting from scratch and prefer one integrated system over multiple tools
• Value feature density and are willing to trade some performance for convenience
• Need a media kit builder for brand partnerships and sponsorships
• Want built-in payment processing without setting up external e-commerce platforms
• Don’t mind slower page loads in exchange for more functionality
• Prefer subscription consolidation rather than paying for separate email marketing and store tools

Beacons.ai’s ecosystem is comprehensive, its integrations are built-in, and its free tier gives you access to email marketing and store features that would cost extra with standalone tools.

Who Should Choose AstroLink?

AstroLink is the right choice if you:

• Value speed and performance and know that fast pages keep visitors engaged
• Want analytics without upgrading to a paid plan or connecting external tools
• Need a focused link-in-bio tool without email marketing or store features you won’t use
• Prioritise privacy and prefer platforms that don’t rely on extensive data collection
• Appreciate simplicity and don’t need an all-in-one creator suite
• Budget matters and you want full link-in-bio functionality at £5.00/month without transaction fees
• Use best-of-breed tools and prefer to choose your own email platform, analytics service, and e-commerce provider

AstroLink is purpose-built for creators and businesses who want a fast, clean, analytics-ready link-in-bio without complexity, bloat, or being locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	AstroLink Free	AstroLink Pro	Beacons.ai Free	Beacons.ai Creator
Number of links	5	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Link tracking	✓	✓	✓	✓
Colour themes	✓	✓	✓	✓
Profile photo	✓	✓	✓	✓
Remove branding	✗	✓	✗	✓
Video embeds	✗	✓	✓	✓
Background images	✗	✓	✓	✓
Email marketing	✗	✗	✓	✓
Online store	✗	✗	✓ (9% fee)	✓ (0% fee)
Media kit	✗	✗	✓	✓
Monthly price	£0	£5.00	US$0	US$10

Philosophy: Focused vs All-in-One

The fundamental difference between AstroLink and Beacons.ai isn’t just features or pricing—it’s philosophy.

Beacons.ai’s philosophy: One platform should handle everything a creator needs. By integrating links, email marketing, stores, and media kits, Beacons reduces the need to manage multiple subscriptions and login credentials. This convenience comes with trade-offs: more features mean more code, slower page loads, and dependency on a single vendor’s ecosystem.

AstroLink’s philosophy: Do one thing exceptionally well. By focusing exclusively on fast, clean link-in-bio pages, AstroLink avoids feature bloat and delivers the best possible user experience for visitors clicking your link. You retain the freedom to choose your own email marketing platform (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.), e-commerce solution (Shopify, Gumroad, etc.), and analytics tools, rather than being locked into Beacons’ built-in versions.

Neither approach is inherently “better”—they serve different needs and workflows. Beacons.ai is ideal for creators who value consolidation and convenience. AstroLink is ideal for creators who value performance, simplicity, and flexibility.

Performance in Practice: A Real-World Example

Imagine you’re a content creator sharing a link in your TikTok bio. A potential follower taps your link whilst scrolling on a crowded train with patchy mobile signal.

• With AstroLink: Your page loads in under one second. They immediately see your latest YouTube video, Patreon link, and Instagram profile. The fast experience feels professional, and they’re more likely to click through to your content.

• With Beacons.ai: Your page takes 3-4 seconds to load because it’s loading email capture forms, store widgets, and analytics scripts. The visitor sees a loading spinner, waits, and may bounce before your content even appears. If they do stay, they’re greeted with a feature-rich page that might feel overwhelming if they just wanted your YouTube link.

Both platforms work, but AstroLink’s speed advantage can mean the difference between a conversion and a lost opportunity, especially when every second counts on mobile.

Monetisation Considerations

Beacons.ai:

• Built-in store for selling digital products, services, or memberships
• 9% transaction fee on free plan, 0% on Creator plan and above
• Payment processing included
• Email marketing to nurture leads and drive repeat purchases
• Ideal if you’re selling directly to your audience

AstroLink:

• No built-in e-commerce features
• Link to your existing store (Shopify, Gumroad, Etsy, etc.)
• No transaction fees because no payments are processed through AstroLink
• Analytics to track which product links get the most clicks
• Ideal if you already have an e-commerce platform and want to drive traffic to it

Verdict: If you’re starting from scratch and want an integrated store experience, Beacons.ai’s built-in monetisation tools are convenient. If you already use Shopify, Gumroad, or another e-commerce platform, AstroLink’s approach—linking to your existing store without transaction fees—offers more flexibility and keeps you in control of your sales ecosystem.

Migration: Switching Between Platforms

If you’re already using Beacons.ai and considering AstroLink (or vice versa), here’s what migration looks like:

Beacons.ai to AstroLink:

1. Copy your bio text and profile photo
2. List your links with their titles and URLs
3. Recreate your page in AstroLink (typically 10 minutes)
4. Update your social media bios with your new AstroLink URL
5. Note that email lists, store data, and media kits won’t transfer (you’ll need to export and migrate these separately if you’re moving to dedicated tools)

AstroLink to Beacons.ai:

1. Copy your bio text and profile photo
2. List your links with their titles and URLs
3. Recreate your page in Beacons (typically 15 minutes with additional setup for store/email features)
4. Update your social media bios with your new Beacons URL
5. Your analytics history won’t transfer, but both platforms start tracking immediately

Neither platform locks you in; your content and links are always portable.

The Bottom Line

There’s no universal “winner” between AstroLink and Beacons.ai because they serve different creator needs:

• Choose Beacons.ai if you want an all-in-one platform that handles links, email marketing, product sales, and media kits under one subscription. You value feature density and convenience over raw performance, and you’re willing to accept slower page loads in exchange for integrated tools.

• Choose AstroLink if you prioritise speed and clean user experiences, want built-in analytics without upgrading, value privacy, prefer to choose your own email marketing and e-commerce platforms, or need a straightforward tool that does one thing exceptionally well without upselling you on features you don’t need.

Both platforms offer free plans, so the best way to decide is to create a test page on each and see which workflow, aesthetic, and feature set aligns with your brand and goals.

Key Takeaways

When comparing AstroLink and Beacons.ai, remember these essential points:

• AstroLink delivers sub-second page loads, whilst Beacons.ai’s feature-rich platform can slow mobile experiences. If speed and user experience matter to you, AstroLink’s minimal architecture translates directly to more engaged visitors.

• Beacons.ai offers all-in-one creator tools including email marketing and store features, whilst AstroLink focuses on fast, clean link-in-bio pages. Choose based on whether you value consolidation or best-of-breed flexibility.

• AstroLink’s straightforward pricing (free or £5.00/month Pro) contrasts with Beacons.ai’s tiered structure and optional transaction fees. Consider whether you need integrated monetisation features or prefer linking to external platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beacons.ai completely free?

Beacons.ai offers a free plan with core features, but takes a 9% transaction fee on sales made through their platform. Paid plans start at US$10/month and remove this fee. If you’re not selling products through Beacons, the free plan has no hidden costs beyond feature limitations.

Can I switch from Beacons.ai to AstroLink easily?

Yes, migrating takes about 10 minutes. Simply copy your links, bio text, and profile photo into AstroLink’s editor. Note that Beacons-specific features like email marketing lists and store data won’t transfer—you’ll need to export those separately if you’re moving to dedicated email marketing and e-commerce tools.

Which platform is faster for mobile users?

AstroLink’s minimal architecture loads in under one second, whilst Beacons.ai’s feature-rich platform typically takes 2-4 seconds on mobile networks. Speed directly impacts visitor engagement; faster pages mean more clicks and fewer bounces, especially on congested or mobile networks.

Ready to Experience Sub-Second Speed?

If AstroLink’s focused approach resonates with you—fast page loads, built-in analytics, clean design, and straightforward pricing—get started today with our free plan. You’ll have a professional link-in-bio page live in minutes, with analytics tracking every click from day one.

For creators who need unlimited links, embedded video, and custom backgrounds, our Pro plan unlocks everything for £5.00/month or £49.00/year, with no transaction fees, no hidden costs, and no forced upsells.

Try AstroLink free at https://app.astrolink.io/register and see why fast, focused link-in-bio tools are the future of creator platforms.

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Sign up for your AstroLink profile today at https://app.astrolink.io/register.

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