If you're a musician looking for a link-in-bio solution, you've probably considered Linktree. It's the default choice: everyone knows it, and it works. But is it the best choice for musicians specifically?
Here's an honest comparison between Linktree and Gatefolded to help you decide which tool fits your needs.
The Core Difference
Linktree is a general-purpose link aggregator. It works for anyone: influencers, businesses, creators of all kinds. You add links, customize the look, and share one URL.
Gatefolded is the direct-to-fan music platform for musicians. You can host and stream your music directly, give your core fans exclusive content streaming platforms can't offer, bundle digital extras with vinyl and merch, and own your audience instead of renting it from Spotify. Plus access control for sharing unreleased tracks with labels and press.
Feature Comparison
Music Streaming
Linktree: Links out to streaming platforms. A Spotify, SoundCloud or Audiomack link can play a short preview on the page, but Linktree doesn't host your own tracks: for the full song, visitors click, leave your page, and listen on Spotify/Apple Music/etc.
Gatefolded: Hosts and streams your music directly. Visitors listen on your page without leaving. You can also add links to streaming platforms for released music.
Why it matters: When you send someone to Spotify, you lose their attention to the platform's interface, recommendations, and other artists. Worse, you lose the relationship: Spotify doesn't give you your listeners' contact info. Streaming on your own page keeps fans with you, and lets you offer exclusive content they can't get elsewhere.
Unreleased Music Protection
Linktree: On Pro and above, Code Lock puts a 4-digit code in front of a link, and there are age, subscribe and profile locks too. But a code on a button doesn't host your music: the music still lives wherever the link points, with no invite list, expiring link or play limit.
Gatefolded: Password protection, email allowlists with verification, download controls, expiring links, and play limits. Designed for sharing demos with labels, press, and collaborators.
Why it matters: If you ever share unreleased music (and most artists do), you need access control over the music itself. Linktree's locks sit in front of a page or a link, not your audio, so they can't help here.
Album Presentation
Linktree: Your discography is a list of links with small thumbnails. Each album is a button.
Gatefolded: Albums display with full artwork, tracklists, and playable tracks. Visitors see your work as cohesive projects, not scattered links.
Why it matters: Music is visual. Album art matters. A proper album presentation feels professional; a link list feels like an afterthought.
Analytics
Linktree (Free): Total views, limited click data.
Linktree (Pro): Click tracking, traffic sources, location data.
Gatefolded: Views, plays, and downloads tracked per album and per track. See listening behavior, not just clicks. Know when someone accesses a private share. Export data for your records.
Why it matters: For musicians, "clicks" don't tell the full story. You want to know if people actually listened, how much they heard, and which tracks resonated.
Social and Streaming Links
Linktree: Add any links you want. Very flexible.
Gatefolded: Built-in support for Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, plus Instagram, TikTok, X, and your website. Also supports tip links (Venmo, PayPal, Cash App).
Verdict: Both handle links well. Linktree is slightly more flexible for non-music links; Gatefolded is more streamlined for music-specific needs.
Customization
Linktree (Free): Limited themes, Linktree branding.
Linktree (Pro): Custom backgrounds, fonts, button styles, no branding.
Gatefolded: 7 preset themes plus custom color builder with eyedropper tool. Automatically generates color palette from your album artwork.
Verdict: Linktree Pro offers more general customization. Gatefolded's customization is music-focused (extracting colors from album art is genuinely useful).
Collaboration
Linktree: No team features on standard plans.
Gatefolded: Invite up to 4 collaborators per artist. Bandmates can upload tracks and manage the page together. Optional approval workflow for changes.
Why it matters: If you're in a band or have a manager, being able to share access is essential.
Pricing
Linktree now runs four tiers (Free, Starter, Pro and Premium) and prices them by region, in local currency, so there is no single dollar figure to quote here. Check linktr.ee/s/pricing for what your region pays today. What does not vary by region is the shape of it: the free tier is a list of links with Linktree branding, and paying moves you up through customization, analytics and support.
Gatefolded: $49/year. All features included. Unlimited artist profiles. No tiers, no add-ons.
Comparison: Whatever Linktree Pro costs in your region, the more useful comparison is what you cannot buy from it. Gatefolded hosts your audio and controls who can play it, with invite lists, expiring links and play limits. Linktree does not offer those on any tier.
Linktree is one of several options here. For the wider field (smart-link tools, page builders, distribution bundles), see the full link-in-bio comparison for musicians. For a feature-by-feature table, see Gatefolded vs Linktree.
When to Choose Linktree
Linktree makes sense if:
- You just need a simple list of links with no music streaming
- You want a free option and don't need analytics
- You're not a musician (Linktree is better for general creators)
- You only share released music via external platforms
When to Choose Gatefolded
Gatefolded makes sense if:
- You want to own your audience instead of renting followers on someone else's platform
- You want to give core fans exclusive content: demos, alternate mixes, bonus tracks
- You sell vinyl or merch and want to bundle digital extras
- You want fans to stream your music directly on your page
- You share unreleased music with labels, press, or collaborators
- You need invite lists, expiring links or play limits on unreleased music
- You want detailed listening analytics (not just click counts)
- You collaborate with bandmates or a team
Can You Use Both?
Yes. Some artists use Linktree for their public-facing "everything" link (music, merch, socials) and Gatefolded for private sharing and music-specific needs. Others switch entirely to Gatefolded since it covers both use cases.
The Bottom Line
Linktree is a great general-purpose tool, and there's a reason it's popular. But it wasn't built with musicians in mind, and it can't help you own your audience.
Gatefolded exists because streaming platforms give you plays but not your listeners' contact info. With Gatefolded, you build a direct channel with your actual fans. Give them exclusive content they can't get on Spotify. Bundle digital extras with your vinyl. See which tracks your fans actually play. Your music, your fans, no algorithm in between.
Try both and see which fits your workflow. Gatefolded offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can test it before committing.