Today’s consumers rely on digital tools to access and share information, so businesses need an efficient way to promote and share links to online marketing assets. Link shorteners make it easier to share long URLs by transforming them into short, impactful links.
TinyURL is a popular link shortener, but it’s far from the only option on the market. There are many other Google URL shortener alternatives to choose from, each with its own unique features. Reviewing all the available options will help you find the best link shortener for your needs.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
What to look for in a URL shortener
Choosing the right URL shortener is about more than just making links shorter—it’s about finding a platform that helps you build stronger connections with your audience.
A great link management tool should empower you to create consistent, trackable, and secure experiences across every channel. Consider which features will best support your marketing goals as you explore these alternatives.
Here are a few key features to look for:
- Analytics and tracking: A powerful URL shortener provides real-time data on clicks, geographic location, and referral sources. This insight helps you understand your audience and measure campaign performance.
- Branding and customization: The ability to use a custom domain and create custom back-halves builds brand recognition and increases trust, which can lead to higher click-through rates.
- QR Code generation: Many modern platforms include a QR Code generator, allowing you to connect your physical and digital marketing efforts in one place.
- Integrations and scalability: Look for a tool that connects with your existing marketing stack and offers API access to automate workflows as your business grows.
- Security and reliability: Your link shortener should be a partner you can trust. Prioritize platforms with a strong uptime record, threat detection, and enterprise-grade compliance.
The best alternatives to TinyURL
The best URL shortener alternatives to TinyURL include Bitly, Rebrandly, Ow.ly, and several other platforms that offer advanced features like analytics, custom domains, and team collaboration. While TinyURL provides basic link shortening, these alternatives deliver comprehensive URL shortening solutions designed for modern marketing needs.
1. Bitly
Bitly is a powerful marketing tool for creating custom short links, QR Codes, and link-in-bio pages. When compared with other URL shortening tools, Bitly offers more advanced features that are ideal for businesses optimizing their marketing campaigns. Here are some things to consider when comparing Bitly vs TinyURL:
Top features
- Link analytics: With Bitly Analytics, you can track the performance of each of your links and QR Codes in real time through a user-friendly, detailed analytics dashboard. This includes metrics like performance over time, referral information, and the location of each click or scan. Those with a paid plan also have access to an upgraded analytics dashboard in addition to the basic analytics available on individual links and QR Code scans.
- Custom short links: Bitly offers fully customized branded links. With this feature, you can tailor links generated in the Bitly link shortener to match your messaging for specific campaigns or products. Branded links can increase click-through rates by up to 34% compared to generic URLs.
- QR Code generation: Bitly also allows you to generate custom QR Codes and Dynamic QR Codes in addition to your short links. Our QR Codes are customizable, with a variety of colors, shapes, and layout options to match your brand.
- Integrations: Bitly offers integrations with a variety of marketing tools, including Salesforce, Twilio, HubSpot, Zapier, and more. There are also plugins available for WordPress and Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.
- User management: Bitly is a business solution with features that allow your entire team to work together. Role-based access ensures that the right people can easily create and access shortened links.
- No-code landing pages: Bitly Pages lets you create dynamic, mobile-friendly landing pages for all your most important links, combining the power of your short links, QR Codes, and real-time analytics into one seamless destination.
- SOC-2 compliance: In conforming to this standard, Bitly securely manages customer data based on five key trust principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Bitly SOC 2 compliance ensures its systems and processes meet rigorous data industry security standards.
Considerations
While Bitly offers many advanced features, it may not be the right link management platform for everyone. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.
- Limited free version: Bitly has both paid and free versions available, and the free plan offers limited features. However, if you only need to create a few links each month and don’t need the full analytics suite, a free account will still work well.
- Business focus: Bitly’s features cater to businesses of all sizes, so some features may not be necessary for individual users. However, this business focus does mean that Bitly’s offerings are always in alignment with current digital trends.
- Simplicity: Bitly prioritizes simplicity and ease of use. This friendly user experience makes it more accessible to a wide variety of people. It also offers an extensive API and powerful integrations for those with more technical needs.
Pricing
- Free: Two QR Codes and 5 links per month, plus 2 custom landing pages and 3 custom back-halves per month.
- Core: $10/month (annual billing only), 5 QR Codes and 100 links per month, plus 5 custom landing pages, 30 days of click and scan data, UTM Builder, Advanced QR Code customizations, and link and QR Code redirects.
- Essentials: $13/month and includes 250 links and 250 QR Codes per month, with 10 link destination edits per month, audience data on 10,000 clicks per month, and 2 custom domains.
- Growth: $29/month (annual billing) or $35/month (monthly billing), 10 QR Codes and 500 links per month, 10 custom landing pages, complimentary custom domain, branded links, 4 months of click & scan data, bulk link & QR Code creation.
- Premium: $199/month (annual billing) or $300/month (monthly billing), 200 QR Codes per month, 3,000 links per month, 20 custom landing pages, 1 year of click & scan data, custom campaign-level tracking, city-level and device type click & scan data, mobile deep linking.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing; includes all the services in Premium plus multiple user seats, at-scale link generation, a dedicated account manager, group permissions, and 99.9% SLA uptime.
2. Rebrandly
Rebrandly is a URL shortening service that specializes in branded link creation at scale. This platform caters to businesses managing high-volume link campaigns with multiple custom domains and advanced traffic routing capabilities.
Top features
- Multiple custom domains: Rebrandly allows people to create shortened links with multiple personalized domains. This means you can create unique domain names for each campaign.
- Link-in-bio pages (Link Gallery): Rebrandly provides Link Gallery pages so you can showcase and route to your most important content from a single destination.
- Link retargeting: Connect your links to your Google Ads and social media accounts for link retargeting. After people interact with your links, they’ll see retargeting ads for your business while surfing the web.
- Traffic routing: This feature sends consumers to specific links based on their location and device. For example, the same link could send people to either a mobile app or the homepage of your website, depending on the device they’re using.
Considerations
- Dashboard complexity: While Rebrandly’s dashboard offers a range of features, some users may face a steep learning curve when navigating link analytics or locating specific data.
- Link Gallery landing pages available: Rebrandly provides Link Gallery (link-in-bio) pages you can associate with your links.
- Domain length: The Rebrandly domain name is longer than the default domains of other link shorteners.
Pricing
- Free: Includes 10 links and 10 QR Codes each month, and one custom domain.
- Essentials: $13/month and includes 250 links and 250 QR Codes per month, with 10 link destination edits per month and audience data on 10,000 clicks per month + 2 custom domains.
- Professional: $32/month and includes 1,500 links and 1,500 QR Codes per month, with 50 link destination edits per month and audience data on 25,000 clicks per month. Also includes 50 password-protected links and link expiration + 3 custom domains.
- Growth: $99/month and includes 3,500 links and 3,500 QR Codes per month, with 150 link destination edits per month and audience data on 150,000 clicks per month. Also includes 150 password-protected links and 5 Workspaces/Teammates + 5 custom domains.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
3. Ow.ly
Ow.ly is a URL shortener that is part of Hootsuite, a social media management platform.
Top features
- Integrates with Hootsuite: If you’re already using Hootsuite to manage your social media accounts, Ow.ly allows you to create shortened URLs in the app.
- Detailed analytics: Ow.ly tracks your link activity, so you’ll see who’s engaging with your links, where they’re coming from, and if they lead to conversions.
- Integrates with Bitly: Ow.ly offers custom domains, and eligible Hootsuite plans support Bitly integration.
Considerations
- Need a Hootsuite account: Ow.ly is only available as a feature of Hootsuite—there isn’t an option to use the link shortener on its own.
- No free version available: Hootsuite and Ow.ly are only available through paid plans.
Pricing
- Standard: Starts at $99/month per user and supports up to 10 social accounts.
- Advanced: Starts at $249/month per user for unlimited social accounts.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
4. Sniply.io
Sniply.io is a URL shortener and QR Code generator. The platform also generates custom call-to-action buttons to add to the web pages you share.
Top features
- Custom domains and links: The platform has fully customizable link options.
- Custom CTA buttons: Sniply.io offers a personalized call-to-action button with unique themes and colors for each link.
- Detailed analytics: Sniply.io tracks your link traffic and conversion rates. They also offer A/B testing for your CTA buttons.
Considerations
- CTA compatibility: Sniply.io’s CTA buttons are not compatible with all websites.
- Time-consuming: Creating custom URLs and CTA buttons with Sniply.io can be a lengthy process.
- No free plan available: While Sniply.io does offer a 14-day free trial, there is no long-term free plan available.
Pricing
- Basic: $9/month for 250 links, five CTAs, and one user.
- Pro: $29/month for unlimited links, 30 CTAs, and three users.
- Business: $59/month for unlimited links, 100 CTAs, and ten users.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
5. JotURL
JotURL is a URL shortener and link management platform. It also offers custom QR Codes and targeted marketing features.
Top features
- Custom links and QR Codes: The platform offers fully customizable links and QR Codes, with the option to preview your links before sending.
- Deep linking and retargeting: Deep linking sends mobile users directly to your app while retargeting keeps your brand top-of-mind with relevant social media ads.
- WhatsApp links: With this feature, you can create links that send visitors straight to WhatsApp to chat with them directly.
- Custom CTAs: JotURL offers customized call-to-action buttons for your webpages to increase conversion rates.
Considerations
- Learning curve: With so many features, the JotURL dashboard can take time to learn how to navigate.
- Setup time: The number of features can also result in a longer setup time, as users will have to determine which ones they need and set them up individually.
Pricing
(Note: JotURL is European, so prices are in euros.)
- Growth: Starts at €7/month for 2,000 branded links and three users.
- Pro: Starts at €55/month for 30k branded links and 10 users.
- Business: Starts at €135/month for 100k branded links and 30 users.
6. Cutt.ly
Cutt.ly is a URL-shortening tool that offers standard link management features and analytics.
Top features
- Custom short links: Cutt.ly offers both generic and branded short links with advanced features like mobile redirect, retargeting, and A/B testing options.
- Link-in-bio pages: This feature allows you to create customized link pages for your social media accounts.
- Branded QR Codes: You can create custom branded QR Codes using a range of shape, color, and logo options.
Considerations
- Price point: Cutt.ly’s prices are relatively high compared to competitors.
- Robust analytics: Cutt.ly provides detailed analytics including devices, operating systems, browsers, geography, referrers, and social sources.
- Domain customization scales by plan: Cutt.ly supports branded domains with higher allowances on upper-tier plans.
Pricing
- Free: 30 short links/month with limited features.
- Starter: $12/month for 300 short links/month.
- Single: $25/month for 5,000 short links/month and more customization options.
- Team: $99/month for up to three teams of five users and extended features.
- Team Enterprise: $149/month for up to ten teams of up to 20 users and unlimited functionality.
7. BL.INK
BL.INK is a link-shortening tool designed for enterprises that need large-scale, highly customizable link and QR Code generation.
Top features
- Custom short links: BL.INK users can shorten URLs with custom domain names.
- Integrations: BL.INK has thousands of native integration options and API documentation available.
- Advanced security: BL.INK links and QR Codes come with SOC 2 security and other sophisticated compliance features.
Considerations
- Lengthy setup process: BL.INK’s interface takes time to set up and may require technical knowledge.
- Enterprise-specific: BL.INK primarily serves large organizations. Its features might not be suitable or cost-effective for individuals or small businesses.
Pricing
- Expert+: $48/month for 10,000 active links and one user.
- SMB: $99/month for 25,000 active links and 5 users.
- Team: $299/month for 100,000 active links and 10 users.
- Business: $599/month for 250,000+ active links and 25+ users.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
8. TinyCC
TinyCC is a link-tracking and shortening tool. In addition to standard link-shortening solutions, it also offers link editing and analytics.
Top features
- Custom domains: You can generate short links using multiple custom domains. Links are editable and easy to organize by campaign.
- Link health management: TinyCC tracks broken links, as well as uptime for the pages you link to, so you can correct any errors right away.
- Retargeting: TinyCC integrates with your social media retargeting ads.
- Smart Links: Rule-based routing by country, language, platform, browser, IP, and time windows.
Considerations
- QR Codes supported: TinyCC includes dynamic QR Codes alongside its link-shortening features.
- No native integrations: While TinyCC does have an API available, it doesn’t currently offer any native integrations with other apps.
- Free option: TinyCC offers a limited free tiny.cc service and a 7-day free trial on premium plans.
Pricing
- Basic: $5/month for 500 links, one domain, and two users.
- Business: $25/month for 10,000 links, three domains, and 10 users.
- Pro: $44/month for 50,000 links, 10 domains, and 50 users.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
9. T.LY
T.LY is a simple, straightforward URL shortener that lets you condense clicks quickly and efficiently.
Top features
- Very short URLs: T.LY’s base domain is one of the shortest on the market, making it ideal for those working with limited space.
- Smart links: This feature allows you to redirect people to multiple online locations, depending on their devices.
- Browser extension: T.LY has a browser extension, which you can use to create shortened links as you browse the web.
Considerations
- No free option: T.LY only offers a five-day free trial, with no permanent free version.
- Integrations: T.LY offers a Zapier integration alongside its API.
Pricing
- Hobby: $5/month for 500 monthly links.
- Basic: $20/month for 4,000 monthly links.
- Pro: $50/month for 10,000 monthly links.
- Enterprise plans are also available.
How to choose the right URL shortener for your needs
The best URL shortener depends on your specific business needs and scale. Here’s how to match your requirements with the right platform:
For individuals and small businesses:
- Free plan: Look for a strong free plan with basic features.
- Easy-to-use interface requiring no technical knowledge
- Basic custom branding options
For growing businesses and marketing teams:
- Comprehensive analytics and campaign tracking
- Integration capabilities with existing marketing tools
- Advanced features like QR Code generation and team collaboration
For large organizations and enterprises:
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance features
- Scalable API access supporting millions of connections
- Advanced user management and governance controls
Find out what Bitly can do for your links today
A reliable URL shortener lets you share branded links with your audience quickly and confidently, while keeping your messaging clean, clickable, and trackable. Since these tools play a critical role in your marketing strategy, it’s important to choose a solution that aligns with your business’s goals, workflows, and level of technical expertise.
Bitly is more than just a link shortener; it’s a comprehensive, all-in-one link management and automation platform built to grow with your brand. From QR Code generation and landing page tools to custom domains, real-time analytics, and team-level collaboration, Bitly offers the scalability and flexibility your campaigns need to thrive. Whether you’re a startup, an agency, or a global brand, Bitly helps streamline your marketing and optimize every touchpoint.
Try Bitly today to boost your brand image with custom short links and branded domains.
Frequently Asked Questions about URL shorteners
Which URL shortener is best for businesses?
Bitly is widely considered the best URL shortener for businesses because it combines enterprise-grade security with comprehensive analytics, custom branding, and team collaboration features. Unlike basic shorteners, Bitly provides everything needed to measure ROI and maintain brand consistency at scale.
What’s the difference between free and paid URL shorteners?
Free URL shorteners provide basic link shortening for personal use, while paid plans offer business-essential features like custom domains, detailed analytics, QR Code creation, and team collaboration tools.
Can I use my own custom domain with URL shorteners?
Yes, professional URL shorteners like Bitly support custom domains, which improve brand recognition and increase click-through rates compared to generic domains.
Are shortened links bad for SEO?
No, reputable URL shorteners use 301 redirects that preserve full SEO value and pass link equity to your destination pages.
