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5 Results

Bitly logo

Bitly

Top Rated

Most popular link shortener. Analytics and branded links.

Free tierAnalyticsBranded linksQR codes
4.5(65,000)
Free / $29/mo
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Rebrandly logo

Rebrandly

Branded link management. Custom domains and deep linking.

Custom domainsDeep linksRetargetingAPI
4.6(12,000)
Free / $29/mo
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Short.io logo

Short.io

Link shortener with custom domains. White-label and team features.

Custom domainsWhite-labelTeamAnalytics
4.5(5,800)
Free / $20/mo
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TinyURL logo

TinyURL

Simple URL shortening. No signup required for basic use.

No signupSimpleCustom aliasesBookmarklet
4.3(45,000)
Free / $9.99/mo
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Dub.co logo

Dub.co

Modern link shortener. Open-source with analytics.

Open sourceAnalyticsQR codesAPI
4.7(3,200)
Free / $9/mo
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By Misha Catalano, Founder & Lead Software AnalystLast reviewed May 2026
Data verified May 2026

What is Link Shortener Software?

Link shortener software converts long, unwieldy URLs into compact, shareable links that are easier to distribute across social media, messaging, print materials, and marketing campaigns. Beyond simply making URLs shorter, modern link shorteners provide click tracking, geographic data, device analytics, and referral source attribution. Custom alias features let users create memorable links (brand.co/sale instead of random characters). Bulk link creation handles hundreds of URLs simultaneously for large campaigns. Link expiration sets time limits on temporary promotions. Password protection restricts access to sensitive shared content. API access enables developers to create short links programmatically within applications. While basic URL shortening is available for free from many services, professional link shorteners add the analytics, branding, and management features that marketers and businesses require.

Key Features to Look For

URL Shortening

Convert long URLs into short, shareable links with custom aliases and branded domains.

Click Tracking

Real-time analytics showing click counts, geographic location, devices, and referral sources.

Custom Aliases

Create memorable, descriptive short links instead of random character strings.

Bulk Creation

Generate hundreds of short links at once from CSV uploads for large campaigns.

Link Expiration

Set time limits or click limits on links for temporary promotions and limited offers.

API Access

Programmatically create and manage short links from applications and automated workflows.

How Much Does Link Shortener Cost?

Bitly is free for basic shortening, Pro starts at $8/month. TinyURL is free, Pro at $10/month. Short.io starts at $5/month. Rebrandly starts at $13/month. is.gd is completely free. t.ly offers a free plan, Pro at $5/month. Dub.co offers a free tier, Pro at $24/month. YOURLS is free and self-hosted. Most casual users need only free tiers; marketers spend $5-$15/month for analytics and branding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Evaluate Link Shortener

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