Best QR Code Generator in Indiana for Local Businesses (2027 Review)
The best QR code generator in Indiana is the one that matches how many codes you'll run and how long they'll stay on your walls, menus and trucks. We compare five tools, QuitURL included, on plan limits, billing terms and branding so you can choose without guessing.
QuitURL publishes this guide and is one of the five tools compared. We say where competitors fit better.
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Indiana Small Business Profile (Census data for 2021).
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Which QR Code Generator Fits a Business in Indiana?
Choose a dynamic QR code generator if your codes will sit on menus, signs, vehicles or packaging that you may want to change later. Match the plan to the number of codes you'll run and how long you need scan data, not to the lowest sticker price.
Most owners who search for a QR code generator already know what a code does. The harder call is which tool will still make sense in two years, after the menu has changed three times, the landlord has swapped the signage and a manager has left with the login.
Four questions settle most of it. Work through them before you compare a single price.
If the page behind the code will never move, a free static code works. If it might, you need a dynamic code you can repoint.
Some tools cap the codes you can keep active. Others cap how many you create each month. The two limits feel very different.
A café may only want to know the menu code gets scanned. A multi-location business may want results by location and device.
Dynamic codes depend on the vendor's redirect. Uniqode's own FAQ says codes go inactive if you cancel, so ask every vendor the same question.
A free static code is a perfectly good choice for something permanent, like a Wi-Fi sign inside a break room. It's a poor choice for a yard sign you'll reuse across listings or a seasonal flyer you'll reprint in a different form. If you're unsure, treat anything that touches customers or print runs as dynamic.
The rest of this guide gives Indiana context, a five-tool comparison, a pricing framework and a practical rollout plan. Skip to the comparison table if you already know what you need.
What Does Indiana's Small-Business Landscape Look Like?
Small businesses are 99.4% of Indiana's businesses and employ 1.2 million people, according to the SBA's 2024 state profile. Most have no employees, so the person picking a QR tool is usually the owner.
The SBA Office of Advocacy publishes a state profile built from Census Bureau data, and Indiana's 2024 profile counts 569,851 small businesses. Of those, 460,720 have no employees, 94,423 have between one and 19, and 14,708 have between 20 and 499. In other words, about four in five Indiana small businesses are one-person operations. The counts reflect Census data for 2021, so treat them as a structural picture, not a live headcount.
Number of small businesses, including firms without employees. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Indiana profile.
Teal bars mark the industries discussed in the next section where firm counts are smaller but employment is large.
Two details in the same profile are worth reading closely. First, accommodation and food services has only 18,575 small firms, yet those firms employ 154,658 people, which the SBA puts at 60.5% of the industry's employees. Restaurants and lodging depend heavily on small employers, and small employers print a lot of menus. Second, small manufacturers number 13,456 but employ 164,454 workers.
- Openings
- Closings
Net increase of 1,895 establishments. Small businesses gained 206,417 jobs and lost 155,712, a net gain of 50,705. Source: SBA profile citing BLS Business Employment Dynamics.
That churn matters for a practical reason. When thousands of businesses open, close and change hands each year, printed materials go stale quickly. A phone number changes, a menu is revised, a listing sells. That's our reading of the numbers, not a finding from the SBA, but it explains why an editable destination often matters more to a small Indiana business than any design feature.
One more pattern: transportation and warehousing has 66,042 small firms, and 61,137 of them have no employees. These are largely owner-operators. For them, a QR code on a truck door, a business card or an invoice is the cheapest way to point customers to a booking page, and they're the least likely to have anyone else to maintain it.
Which Indiana Industries Get the Most From QR Codes?
Hospitality, manufacturing, health care, retail, construction and real estate all have a clear print-to-web use for QR codes. Manufacturing and tourism are where Indiana stands out, so they're the strongest places to start.
A caution before the examples. The existence of an industry in Indiana isn't evidence that its businesses need QR codes, and nothing here says QR use is more common in Indiana than elsewhere. Each panel below pairs a verified fact about the industry with a use case that is our inference about how a business could apply it.
Indiana small accommodation and food firms employ 154,658 people (SBA, 2024).
Use case, our inferenceTable cards that open the current menu, a review request on receipts, a check-in guide in hotel rooms. The menu page changes, the printed card doesn't.
See our restaurant QR code guide for layout ideas.
Indiana's manufacturing employment concentration is 2.04 times the U.S. average (BLS).
Use case, our inferenceLabels on equipment that open the manual, a parts list or a safety sheet. Onboarding posters that link to training files. For inventory scanning, use a 1D barcode instead.
Check any regulated documentation rules with your compliance lead first.
39,755 small health-care firms; small employers account for 174,360 jobs (SBA, 2024).
Use case, our inferencePoint a waiting-room poster to office hours, directions, or a public intake-information page. Don't encode or link to anything containing patient data.
Ask your privacy officer to review any QR workflow that touches patients.
54,586 small retail firms and 108,602 small-retail employees (SBA, 2024).
Use case, our inferenceShelf talkers that open a product page, packaging that links to care instructions, a checkout card that opens a loyalty sign-up.
Keep the destination mobile friendly, since shoppers scan standing up.
Small firms employ 80.3% of Indiana's construction workers (SBA, 2024).
Use case, our inferenceYard signs and truck lettering that open a quote-request page or a photo portfolio. Change the page by season without repainting the truck.
54,191 small real-estate and rental businesses, mostly without employees (SBA, 2024).
Use case, our inferenceA rider on a for-sale sign that opens the listing, then gets repointed to the next property. A dynamic code lets one printed sign serve more than one listing.
What does Indiana tourism add to the picture?
Visitors generate a large share of spending in food, lodging and attractions, which makes printed-to-digital menus and guides a natural fit. That's an inference from the spending data, not proof that visitors scan more.
The Indiana Destination Development Corporation reported $16.2 billion in visitor spending for 2023, or $198 per visitor, and $3 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Local news coverage of the next study put 2024 visitor spending at $16.9 billion, supporting more than 210,000 jobs. A guesthouse, winery or attraction that serves out-of-state visitors can use a code to link to a map, event calendar or booking page without reprinting brochures every season. Our hospitality QR code guide covers room-level ideas.
A family restaurant in a small Indiana town prints 40 table cards with a code pointing to a seasonal menu page. When fall specials arrive, the owner edits the destination in the dashboard instead of reprinting the cards. The cards, the code and the cost of printing stay the same.
A roofing contractor puts a code on a yard sign that opens a quote-request form. After a storm season, the owner points the same code to an emergency-repair page. Nobody needs to pull the signs or buy new ones.
When Should an Indiana Business Use a Dynamic QR Code?
Use a dynamic code when the destination might change, when you want scan data, or when reprinting would be costly. Use a static code only for content that will never change, like a fixed Wi-Fi sign.
A static code stores the final web address directly in the pattern. A dynamic code stores a short redirect address that belongs to your QR vendor, and the vendor forwards each scan to whatever destination you've set. That extra hop is what makes editing and tracking possible.
The address is baked into the print.
- Free almost everywhere and never expires with a subscription.
- No scan reporting from the code itself.
- Changing the destination means a new code and a reprint.
- Long addresses create denser patterns that are harder to scan small.
The print points to a redirect you control.
- Change the destination any time without touching the print.
- Scan reporting is possible, depending on the plan.
- Short redirect addresses keep the pattern simpler.
- Depends on the vendor and an active account.
The trade-off is dependence. If the vendor's redirect stops working, every code you've printed stops working with it. That's why the cancellation question from earlier matters: Uniqode's pricing FAQ states that codes become inactive if you cancel, and you should ask any vendor, including QuitURL, what happens to printed codes if you stop paying or a plan changes. A branded domain can also help customers recognize the address behind the code, which ties into the safety advice later in this guide.
QuitURL's site describes its generator as producing dynamic codes you can edit at any time, with scan tracking by location, device and time. Plan details vary, so check the QR code generator page and the pricing table before you count on a particular report. For a deeper explanation of how redirects and editing work, read our dynamic QR codes guide.
How Do the Five Leading QR Code Generators Compare?
We compared QuitURL with QR Code Generator PRO, Bitly, Uniqode and QR TIGER using each vendor's official plan page, focusing on dynamic-code allowances, scan limits, billing terms and branding. No tool wins every row, so read the last column against your own situation.
How did we choose and compare these tools?
We picked four competitors that sell dynamic QR codes with scan tracking to small and mid-sized businesses and publish their plan details. We left out free-only generators and enterprise-only products.
Disclosure first: QuitURL publishes this page, so we have an interest in how it reads. To keep the comparison honest, every competitor row comes from that vendor's official pricing or plan page, linked in the table. QuitURL's row comes from our pricing page and product pages. We haven't tested the competitors' products hands-on, so the table describes what they publish, not how they perform. Plans change, and where a price wasn't clearly stated on an official page, we've marked it unverified instead of filling the gap from a third-party site.
| Tool | QR codes and limits | Scans and analytics | Pricing and billing | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuitURLThis guide | 33 to 501 QR codes per month across Starter, Growth, Pro and Business. Bulk QR and custom logo from Pro; frames on Business. | Site describes scan tracking by location, device and time. Data retention runs from 108 days (Starter) to unlimited (Pro, Business). | Free plan, plus monthly, yearly and lifetime billing. Paid plans start at $4.44 monthly, $2.75 per month billed yearly, or $88 once. | Owners who want QR codes, short links, bio pages, files and SMS in one account, or who prefer a one-time option. |
| QR Code Generator PRO | 2 / 50 / 250 dynamic codes on Starter / Advanced / Professional. Bulk creation of 100 or 500 per upload on the upper two. | Starter caps scans at 10,000. Advanced and Professional list unlimited scans. | Prices not confirmed here; see official page. 14-day free trial; monthly and annual toggle shown. | Teams that need many editable codes, extra users or API requests (up to 5 users on Professional). |
| Bitly | 2 / 5 / 10 / 200 new QR codes per month on Free / Core / Growth / Premium. Free shows ads. | Unlimited scans on every plan. Data history runs from 30 days (Core) to 1 year (Premium). | Core $10 per month, annual only ($120). Growth $29 per month billed annually ($348). Premium $199 per month billed annually. | Businesses that already run Bitly short links and want QR codes alongside them. |
| Uniqode | Static codes free; dynamic codes on paid plans. Scan limits reset annually. Codes go inactive if you cancel. | Scan tracking and forms on paid plans. Site lists SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR and ISO. | Annual billing only, 14-day trial, 30-day money-back. Plan prices not consistently stated; FAQ cites dynamic plans from $9 per month. | Organizations that need compliance paperwork, forms or multiple users. |
| QR TIGER | 3 / 12 / 200 / 600 dynamic codes on Free / Regular / Advanced / Premium. Free shows a QR TIGER popup. | Free caps 500 scans per dynamic code. Paid plans list unlimited scans. | Regular $7, Advanced $16, Premium $37 per month, with a month or year toggle. | Budget-minded buyers who want a larger pool of dynamic codes at a modest monthly price. |
Sources: each tool's name links to its official plan page. QuitURL figures are listed on the QuitURL pricing page. Verify current plans before buying.
What do the limits really mean?
Some tools cap how many dynamic codes you can hold at once, while others cap how many you can create each month. Those are different constraints, so compare them carefully.
QR Code Generator PRO and QR TIGER describe their allowances as a total pool of dynamic codes. Bitly and QuitURL list QR codes per month. If you'll build 20 codes and leave them running for years, a pool of 50 may fit better than a monthly allowance of five. If you create and retire codes constantly, a monthly allowance may be fine. Ask each vendor whether older codes count against the limit, and what happens when you go over. QuitURL's pricing FAQ says existing short links and QR codes keep working if you exceed limits, but you'll need to upgrade or wait for the reset to create more.
Scan limits deserve the same attention. QR Code Generator PRO's Starter plan stops at 10,000 scans, QR TIGER's free plan allows 500 scans per dynamic code, and Uniqode resets its limits yearly. QuitURL lists monthly link-click allowances rather than a separate scan cap, so confirm with us how QR scans are counted against your plan before you plan a high-traffic campaign.
Which Tool Suits Which Kind of Indiana Business?
A solo contractor or café owner usually needs a few codes at a low price, while a clinic group or manufacturer may need user seats, compliance documentation and bulk creation. Use the guide below to narrow the field before you compare prices.
Start at the top and follow the branch that sounds like you. This is a starting point, not a verdict.
QuitURL suits owners who want several tools in one place and who like having a free plan, a monthly option and a lifetime option on the same pricing page. The limits to weigh: entry-plan QR allowances are modest, and custom logos on codes start at Pro while frames are a Business feature. If you need a specific compliance certification, ask for documentation, because our pricing page doesn't list one.
QR Code Generator PRO is a straightforward choice when you want a large pool of editable codes and several users. We couldn't confirm its prices from the page we reviewed, so check them directly. Bitly fits link-first teams, but its per-month QR caps mean a bigger rollout moves into higher tiers quickly, and Core is annual only.
Uniqode is the one to examine if a hospital system, school or larger employer insists on SOC 2, HIPAA or similar paperwork. Expect annual billing and plan limits that reset yearly. QR TIGER offers a large pool of dynamic codes at low published monthly prices, though its free plan adds a popup when codes are scanned, which may not suit a customer-facing sign.
How Should You Compare QR Code Generator Pricing?
Compare the total cost over the time you'll keep your codes live, and check whether each limit counts codes you hold or codes you create. QuitURL offers a free plan plus monthly, yearly and lifetime billing, so you can price the same plan three ways.
A $7 monthly plan and a $333 one-time payment look nothing alike on a pricing page, but the useful number is cost per year of use, and that depends on how long you keep the account. The cards below list QuitURL's four paid plans as shown on our pricing page.
- Monthly
- $4.44
- Yearly ($33)
- $2.75/mo
- Lifetime
- $88 once
- 33 QR codes per month
- 108 short links per month
- 108 days of data
- Monthly
- $11.11
- Yearly ($111)
- $9.25/mo
- Lifetime
- $333 once
- 51 QR codes per month
- 500 short links per month
- SMS and developer API
- Monthly
- $22.22
- Yearly ($222)
- $18.50/mo
- Lifetime
- $555 once
- 108 QR codes per month
- Bulk QR and logo on QR
- Unlimited data retention
- Monthly
- $77.77
- Yearly ($777)
- $64.75/mo
- Lifetime
- $2222 once
- 501 QR codes per month
- Frames on QR codes
- 99 team members
Plan figures as listed on the QuitURL pricing page. The page also describes a Free Plan with usage limits and says there are no contracts or setup fees.
Is a lifetime plan worth it for a local business?
A lifetime purchase can lower your long-term cost if the plan fits your needs and you'll keep using it past the break-even point. If your needs are uncertain, a monthly or yearly plan is the safer test.
QuitURL does have monthly plans, so we won't tell you there are no monthly fees. What a lifetime option does is convert a recurring cost into a single purchase. The arithmetic below uses only the listed prices, and it shows how many months of paying you'd need before the one-time price becomes the cheaper path. It ignores taxes, future price changes and the value of features you may not use.
Calculated from listed prices. Longer bars mean it takes longer for lifetime to pay off.
In plain terms, a Pro owner who keeps the plan for more than two years would have paid less with the lifetime option than with monthly billing, and a little longer than that against yearly billing. A business that might close, move or switch tools in a year should skip lifetime and use a monthly plan. Read the terms and the current limits on the pricing page before you buy, and remember that monthly allowances such as QR codes per month still apply.
Other tools bill differently. Bitly's Core plan and Uniqode's QR plans are annual only, QR TIGER shows a month or year toggle, and QR Code Generator PRO shows monthly and annual options. When you compare, put each on the same footing: price per year, codes you actually need, and what happens at the end of the term.
What Should You Check Before Printing QR Codes?
Test every code on at least one iPhone and one Android phone at the real size and distance people will scan from, with strong contrast and a clear margin around the pattern. Print a single proof before you order a full run.
Most failed QR campaigns fail at the print shop, not in the software. A code that scanned perfectly on your monitor can disappear on glossy stock, shrink too small on a business card, or sit behind a glare you didn't plan for. The mockup below marks the four things worth checking on any printed piece.
QR codes carry built-in error correction at four levels, defined by the code's creator, Denso Wave. Higher levels tolerate more damage but make the pattern denser.
Percentages describe the approximate share of the code that can be restored. Logos placed over the pattern use up some of that margin.
- Leave a quiet zone. Keep an empty border around the code, about four modules wide under the common standard. Don't let text, borders or photos crowd it.
- Keep dark on light. Dark code on a light background scans most reliably. Light-on-dark and low-contrast brand colors cause the most failures.
- Print it bigger than you think. Size depends on scan distance. A counter card can be small. A window sign or banner needs far more room.
- Say what happens. A short line such as "Scan for today's menu" gives people a reason to try, and tells them what to expect.
- Test on cellular data. Don't rely on your office Wi-Fi. Open the destination on mobile data to confirm it loads quickly on a phone.
- Proof on the real material. Glossy lamination, curved surfaces and outdoor glare change how cameras read a code. Test on the final stock.
- Choose error correction deliberately. Use a higher level for signs that will get dirty or carry a logo. Use a lower level when the pattern must stay simple.
- Use a short destination. Short addresses create simpler patterns, which scan more easily at small sizes. Dynamic codes help here.
Weather matters for outdoor pieces such as yard signs and vehicle lettering. Frost, dirt and fading reduce contrast over time, so inspect them periodically and replace tired signs. Our QR code design and printing guide goes deeper on colors, logo placement and file formats.
How Do You Keep Customers Safe When They Scan Your Codes?
The FTC warns that scammers hide harmful links in QR codes, so give customers reasons to trust yours: visible text, an address that matches your brand, and signage that's hard to tamper with. Inspect your public codes regularly for stickers placed over them.
The Federal Trade Commission's consumer alert, Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information, describes two patterns. Scammers cover real codes, such as those on parking meters, with their own, and they send QR codes by text or email with an urgent story, like a missed delivery or a suspicious login. The FTC's advice to consumers is to inspect the URL before opening it, avoid scanning codes in unexpected messages, and keep phones and accounts protected with updates, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Matches the business name on the sign. Looks right.
Switched letters and a login prompt. A warning sign.
- Print the address under the code. Customers who check it can match it to your brand.
- Use a recognizable domain. A branded domain, where your plan allows, helps customers trust what they see.
- Inspect public signs. Check codes on windows, tables and yard signs on a regular schedule for stickers.
- Never email or text unexpected codes. That's exactly the pattern the FTC tells people to distrust.
- Protect your account. Use a strong password and multi-factor authentication where offered, because whoever controls the dashboard controls where printed codes lead.
For a longer checklist, see our QR code security guide.
How Do You Set Up Your First QR Code and Roll It Out?
Create a free account, build one dynamic code for one clear job, test it, then place it before you scale to more locations. Start with a single use, such as a menu, a quote-request page or a review link.
The plan below is illustrative, and you can compress or stretch it to fit your business. The goal is to prove one code works before you print hundreds of anything.
- 1Day onePick one job and one destination
Decide what a scan should do: open a menu, start a quote request, collect a review. Build the destination page first, and make sure it reads well on a phone.
- 2Day twoCreate and name the code
Create an account, then use the QR code generator to build a dynamic code. Name it by location and purpose, such as "front-window-menu", so reports stay readable later.
- 3Day threeTest on real phones
Scan from a screen, then from a printed proof. Try an iPhone and an Android phone, on cellular data, at the distance a customer would use.
- 4Week twoPlace it and watch
Put the code where people already pause: checkout, table, waiting area, listing sign. Add a short call to action, then watch how the scan reports behave on your plan.
- 5Week fourAdjust, then scale
Edit the destination if the page isn't working, then add codes for other locations or materials. For many codes at once, check the bulk options on your plan.
If you have a developer or an agency, paid plans from Growth list developer API access, documented at the QuitURL developer page. Existing customers can sign in through the login page.
What Else Can One Account Handle Besides QR Codes?
QuitURL also covers short links, 1D barcodes, link-in-bio pages, file hosting and SMS marketing, which helps when your QR code points to something you also want to share elsewhere. Whether you need those extras decides if a QR-only tool is enough.
Many small businesses end up using several tools for what is really one customer journey: a printed code, a short link in an Instagram bio, a PDF spec sheet, a text reminder. Keeping those under one login is convenient, but only if you'd use them. If you only need a handful of menu codes, a QR-only tool is a perfectly reasonable choice.
Two practical notes. If you plan to text customers, collect their consent first, and have an attorney review the federal and state rules that apply to your business. And if a barcode is what your retail or inventory workflow needs, make a barcode rather than forcing a QR code into the job, since scanners and point-of-sale systems each expect particular formats.
What Should Indiana Businesses Know Before Choosing a QR Code Generator?
These answers cover the decisions that come up most often when choosing a generator: cost, printing, tracking and safety. If your question isn't here, the comparison table and the pricing page are the best next stops.
What is the best QR code generator for a small business in Indiana?
It depends on your volume and how long the codes will stay live. A café with a few menu codes needs something different from a contractor running dozens of yard signs. Compare dynamic-code allowances, scan limits, billing terms and what happens if you stop paying, then pick the plan that fits those numbers. The five-tool table above is a starting point.
Is a free QR code generator good enough?
For permanent content, such as a Wi-Fi sign, a free static code works. For anything you might edit or measure, free plans have limits. QuitURL has a Free Plan with usage limits, QR TIGER's free plan includes three dynamic codes with 500 scans each, and Bitly's free plan allows two QR codes per month and shows ads. Check the limits against your plan before printing.
What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static code stores the final address in the pattern, so it can't be changed and doesn't report scans. A dynamic code stores a short redirect address, which lets you change the destination and, on supported plans, see scan data. The trade-off is that dynamic codes depend on the vendor's redirect staying active.
Can I change a QR code after I've printed it?
You can if it's a dynamic code. You edit the destination in your account and the printed code keeps working. You can't edit a static code. You'd have to create and print a new one.
How much does a QR code generator cost?
Published plans in our comparison range from free tiers to a few hundred dollars a month at the high end. Among the entry-level paid plans we reviewed, QR TIGER lists $7 per month, Bitly lists $10 per month billed annually, and QuitURL lists $4.44 per month on monthly billing or $2.75 per month billed yearly. Prices and limits change, so confirm them on each vendor's page.
Is QuitURL's lifetime plan worth it?
It can be if you'll keep using the plan long enough. Based on listed prices, the lifetime option takes roughly 20 to 30 months of monthly payments to break even, depending on the plan, and longer against yearly billing. If your needs are uncertain, start with a monthly or yearly plan. Read the current terms on the pricing page before you buy.
What happens to my QR codes if I stop paying?
With most dynamic QR services, codes stop redirecting when the account lapses. Uniqode's FAQ says codes become inactive if you cancel, and QR TIGER's plan information describes codes stopping when a plan expires. Ask any vendor, including us, what happens to printed codes before you commit, and keep important destinations backed up.
How big should a printed QR code be?
It depends on how far away people will scan from. A table card can use a small code, while a window sign or banner needs a much larger one. Keep a clear margin around the pattern, use dark on light, and test a printed proof at the real distance on an iPhone and an Android phone.
Can I track how many people scan my QR code?
Dynamic codes can, because the scan passes through the vendor's redirect. What you see depends on the plan. QuitURL's site describes tracking by location, device and time, while other tools limit scans or data history on lower tiers. Static codes don't report scans on their own.
Are QR codes safe for customers to scan?
Legitimate codes are fine, but the FTC warns that scammers cover real codes with their own and send codes in unexpected texts and emails. Make yours easy to trust by printing the address under the code, using a recognizable domain, checking public signs for stickers and never sending unsolicited codes.
Should a restaurant link to a PDF or a web page?
A mobile-friendly web page is usually easier to read on a phone than a PDF, which can load slowly and force pinching and zooming. If a PDF is all you have, test it on cellular data first. With a dynamic code, you can start with the PDF and switch to a web page later without reprinting. See our restaurant QR code guide for more.
Can I create many QR codes at once?
Several tools support bulk creation on higher plans. QR Code Generator PRO lists 100 or 500 codes per upload on its upper plans, Bitly lists 10 per upload on Growth, QR TIGER lists up to 3,000 per batch on Advanced, and QuitURL lists bulk QR codes from the Pro plan.
Do I need a developer to use QR codes?
No. Creating, branding and placing a code is done in a dashboard. A developer helps if you want to generate codes automatically from another system. Paid QuitURL plans from Growth list API access at the developer page.
Start with a free account and one real use. When you're ready to compare plans, the pricing page shows monthly, yearly and lifetime options side by side. QuitURL is one of five tools reviewed here, so weigh the table against your own needs.