Milkshake vs. Universe: Which One is Better for Your Business?

Jessica Li
Chief of Staff

Link-in-bio products are essential for online creators as they centralize all their content and business offerings in one accessible location. We'll compare Milkshake and Universe to determine which platform best supports creators in managing their creator business efficiently.

A Quick Overview of Milkshake and Universe

What is Milkshake?

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Milkshake is a free website builder designed for mobile use, allowing users to create and update websites quickly and easily without needing desktop access or web design skills. Unique features include a card-based layout, instant publishing, and the ability to switch between multiple accounts. The app is user-friendly and offers customization options, making it ideal for enhancing the "link in bio" feature for social media users.

What is Universe?

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Universe is a visual, no-code website builder that allows users to create websites using a drag-and-drop interface on any device. It offers a variety of templates, built-in analytics, and e-commerce capabilities. Users can start for free, with additional plans available for more advanced features. The platform also provides extensive customer support through a Help Center, community, and guides.

Comparing Milkshake and Universe: Features and Pricing

Milkshake Features

Milkshake offers several unique features that make it stand out.

  • Create a website directly from a mobile phone without needing desktop access or web design skills.
  • Utilize swipeable cards that function as website pages, providing a unique and engaging user experience.
  • Customize the look of your website with brand colors, fonts, logos, and images to match your personal or business style.
  • Instantly publish your website and easily integrate it with Instagram, making it seamless for social media users.
  • Manage multiple websites and switch between different accounts effortlessly, a feature that sets Milkshake apart from its competitors.

Universe Features

Universe is a visual, no-code website builder that you can use from any device.

  • Drag and drop blocks to construct your pages on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  • Use AI to generate website elements in minutes, build on top of designer templates, or start from scratch.
  • Sell anything, from physical goods to digital downloads.
  • Grow your audience with built-in analytics and powerful integrations.
  • Build your site visually with our drag and drop editor. No HTML, no CSS. Just arrange your content on the Grid.

Milkshake and Universe Similarities

The main thing about Milkshake and Universe is that they both offer user-friendly, no-code website building solutions that can be managed directly from mobile devices. These platforms are designed to make website creation accessible and straightforward for everyone.

  • No-code website building: Both Milkshake and Universe allow users to create websites without needing to write any code.
  • Mobile-friendly: Users can build and manage their websites directly from their mobile devices.
  • Drag-and-drop functionality: Both platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop editors for easy website customization.
  • Templates: They provide professionally designed templates to help users get started quickly.
  • Social media integration: Both platforms integrate well with social media, particularly Instagram, to enhance the user's online presence.
  • Analytics: Built-in analytics help users track site traffic and grow their audience.

Milkshake and Universe Differences

Milkshake and Universe both offer unique features tailored to different user needs. While Milkshake focuses on mobile-first website creation and Instagram integration, Universe provides a more comprehensive set of tools for various types of websites.

  • Card-based Pages: Milkshake uses swipeable cards for website pages, a feature not available in Universe.
  • AI-generated Elements: Universe offers AI-generated website elements, which Milkshake does not.
  • Advanced E-commerce: Universe includes advanced e-commerce capabilities like selling physical and digital goods, which Milkshake lacks.

Milkshake and Universe Pricing

Milkshake offers a free app with in-app purchases, including a Lite plan for $2.99, a Pro plan for $6.99, and an annual Pro plan for $59.99. In contrast, Universe provides a free plan and three paid plans: Base at $12/month or $72/year, Pro at $25/month or $200/year, and Complete at $50/month or $500/year.

While Milkshake's pricing is more affordable for individual websites, Universe's plans offer more comprehensive features, making it a better deal for those needing advanced functionalities.

Why Choose One Over the Other?

Why Choose Milkshake Over Universe: Consumers who prioritize ease of use and quick setup will find Milkshake ideal. It's perfect for Instagram influencers and social media direct sellers who need a mobile-first, no-fuss solution to enhance their online presence.

Why Choose Universe Over Milkshake: Universe is better suited for small business owners and creatives who need advanced e-commerce capabilities and a variety of design templates. It's ideal for those who want a flexible, device-agnostic platform with powerful integrations and AI tools.

Considering Beacons vs. Milkshake and Universe

What is Beacons

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Beacons is the all-in-one platform designed to help creators manage and monetize their online presence. With millions of users worldwide, Beacons offers unique features like customizable link-in-bio, email marketing, online stores, media kits, invoicing, AI brand outreach, and an income dashboard, making it the ultimate tool for creators.

Beacons's Pricing

Beacons Pricing Packages

  • Free Plan: $0 (Free forever)
  • Creator Pro: $8.33 per month (billed annually, $10 per month if billed monthly)
  • Store Pro: $25 per month (billed annually, $30 per month if billed monthly)
  • Business Pro: $75 per month (billed annually, $90 per month if billed monthly)

Comparing Beacons to Milkshake and Universe

Choosing Beacons over Milkshake and Universe offers a comprehensive solution for creators looking to maximize their online presence and monetization efforts.

  • All-in-One Platform: Unlike Milkshake and Universe, Beacons combines link-in-bio, email marketing, online stores, media kits, invoicing, and more into a single platform.
  • AI Integration: Beacons leverages AI for custom insights and automations, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
  • Cost-Effective: Beacons offers a free plan with all features included, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions.
  • Income Dashboard: Sync and track your income seamlessly, a feature not available in Milkshake or Universe.
  • Advanced Customization: Fully customizable link-in-bio, media kits, and email marketing strategies tailored to your brand.
  • AI Brand Outreach: Generate emails for faster pitching, streamlining the process of securing brand deals.

Beacons doesn't just match the features of Milkshake and Universe; it surpasses them by offering a unified, AI-powered platform designed to meet all your creator needs.

What Are the Customers Saying?

Milkshake Reviews

Overall, users have given Milkshake a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5. While they appreciate its ease of use and aesthetic design, some find the account management features frustrating.

BEST APP EVER - 5 stars - Started using it

"Before this app, I used Linktree, which was dull and limited. Milkshake changed my life with its aesthetic that fits my brand perfectly. It built a beautifully curated Insta website that invites people in. I am never going back. Milkshake is amazing!"

Cannot have multiple accounts - 3 stars - bwchi85

"This is a great concept, but still some improvements to be made. The most frustrating thing is not being able to easily create two Milkshake sites for two different IG accounts. It always brings me back to my first Instagram account, making it impossible to create a second Milkshake website."

For more reviews, check out Universe reviews.

Universe Reviews

Overall, users have given Milkshake a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use and aesthetic design but find the account management features frustrating.

BEST APP EVER - 5 stars - Started using it

"Before this app, I used Linktree, which was dull and limited. Milkshake changed my life with its aesthetic that fits my brand perfectly. It built a beautifully curated Insta website that invites people in. I am never going back. Milkshake is amazing!"

Cannot have multiple accounts - 3 stars - bwchi85

"This is a great concept, but still some improvements to be made. The most frustrating thing is not being able to easily create two Milkshake sites for two different IG accounts. It always brings me back to my first Instagram account, making it impossible to create a second Milkshake website."

For more reviews, check out Universe reviews.

Beacons reviews

Overall, users have given Beacons an impressive rating of 4.9 out of 5. Here are some of the positive reviews highlighting what customers found really useful:

Most Useful Tool for Creators - 5/5 - "This is the most useful tool for creators especially when they are starting out. The fact that it is free and paid parts are just things you will need as you grow and gain income is such a perfect example of what these tools should look like." - LaLa Artica

Outstanding Link App - 5/5 - "Probably the most outstanding link app w/ tons of features especially for building and connecting community!" - Viva Stylez

Final Decision: Milkshake, Universe, or Beacons?

Whether you choose Milkshake, Universe, or Beacons, each platform offers valuable tools for online creators. However, Beacons stands out as the all-in-one solution that can help you grow your audience and manage your online presence effortlessly. With its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, Beacons is the go-to choice for creators looking to streamline their workflow and maximize their impact.

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