Brandwave

QR Code Generator vs Short.io:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, QR Code Generator had more branded searches than Short.io among link shortener and QR code tools worldwide. QR Code Generator had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Short.io had 14,800. QR Code Generator made up 79.5% of all link shortener and QR code tool searches we track, and Short.io accounted for 0.19%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about link shortener and QR code tools, Short.io appeared in four of the five answers and QR Code Generator in one. Short.io was mentioned before QR Code Generator in three out of four answers that named either.

Among link shortener and QR code tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

QR Code Generator, about 414 searches for every 1 for Short.io

QR Code Generator 6.1M searchesShort.io 14.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Short.io, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, QR Code Generator in 1

Short.io in 4 of 5QR Code Generator in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Short.io, named ahead of QR Code Generator in 3 of 4 answers

Short.io first in 3QR Code Generator first in 1

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Top link shortener and QR code tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Short.io was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. QR Code Generator was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Short.io was listed before QR Code Generator in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Bitly1st
  2. Rebrandly2nd
  3. Short.io3rd
  4. TinyURL4th
  5. QR TIGER5th
  6. QR Code Generator6th
  7. Dub7th
  8. Uniqode8th
  9. QR Code Monkey–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Bitly5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Rebrandly4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Short.io4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • QR TIGER3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • TinyURL3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Dub2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • QR Code Generator1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Uniqode1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • QR Code Monkey0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about link shortener and QR code tools

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is QR Code Generator or Short.io more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for QR Code Generator and Short.io by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine link shortener and QR code tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

QR Code Generator and Short.io among link shortener and QR code tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for QR Code Generator, Short.io. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthQR Code GeneratorBitlyDubQR Code MonkeyRebrandlyQR TIGERShort.ioUniqodeTinyURL
Oct 202569.2%20.6%4.2%3.4%1.9%0.46%0.17%0.17%<0.01%
Nov 202572.3%17.7%4.4%2.9%1.9%0.39%0.21%0.14%<0.01%
Dec 202571.1%17.5%5.2%3.5%1.9%0.38%0.21%0.17%<0.01%
Jan 202671.9%17.6%4.3%3.5%1.9%0.32%0.21%0.14%<0.01%
Feb 202672.5%17.7%3.6%3.6%2%0.32%0.18%0.18%<0.01%
Mar 202671%17.3%4.3%4.3%2.3%0.39%0.26%0.17%<0.01%
Apr 202675.2%15%3.7%3.7%1.7%0.33%0.18%0.15%<0.01%
May 202675.3%15.1%3.7%3.7%1.7%0.27%0.15%0.12%<0.01%
Jun 202670.9%17.3%4.3%5.2%1.6%0.26%0.26%0.14%<0.01%
Jul 202669.9%17.1%4.2%6.3%1.9%0.25%0.25%0.14%<0.01%
Aug 202676%15.2%3.7%3.1%1.4%0.23%0.23%0.12%<0.01%
Sep 202679.5%13%3.2%2.6%1.2%0.19%0.19%0.13%<0.01%

How has the QR Code Generator and Short.io comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for link shortener and QR code tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, QR Code Generator gained share of searches among link shortener and QR code tools worldwide, from 76% to 79.5%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Short.io worldwide rose 49.5% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 14.8K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using QR Code Generator’s and Short.io’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

QR Code Generator

1 branded search term

  • qr code generator

Short.io

1 branded search term

  • short.io

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among link shortener and QR code tools

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