Want to know about the best free URL Shorteners for Link Customization? Read this review to find the best free URL shorteners as per your requirements:
A URL Shortener online tool can convert a long website link into a concise and more presentable link. Affiliate marketers and social media users often use the tool to shorten a link in their posts.
You can use this tool to shorten and customize links to websites.
In this guide, we will review the best free URL shorteners. You can select a link customization tool that best meets your needs.
Table of Contents:
Free URL Shorteners
Market Share URL Shortener Tools:
Expert Advice: Consider a URL shortener tool with no link expiry. This is important if you want the shortened URLs to point to the linked websites permanently. Digital marketers must consider additional features, such as link analytics features, social media sharing, retargeting, and custom branded links.
List of the Best URL Shorteners
Here is the list of popular URL shorteners for link customization:
- Pixel
- Bitly
- Rebrandly
- TinyURL
- Short.io
- Clkim
- Ow.ly
- Shorby
- Tiny.cc
- Sniply
- BL.INK
- T2M
- Zapier
- Qti.ai
- Chl.li
- Tiny.ie
Comparison Table of Top Link Shorteners
| Tool Name | Best For | Free Trial | Price | Ratings ***** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel | Track clicks on links | 7 days | Basic: $8/month, Plus: $24/month, Scale: $82/month |  |
| Bitly | Creating shortened URLs and custom links for free. | 30-day | Free Paid: Starts at $29 per month |  |
| Rebrandly | Branded link management and link shortening with a custom domain name. | 45-day | Free Paid: Starts at $28 per month | |
| TinyURL | Creating customized and branded TinyURLs for free. | No | Free Paid: Starts at $9.99 per month | |
| Short.io | White label URL shortening and short branded URLs. | 7-day | Free Paid: Starts at $16.66 per month |  |
| Clkim | Flexible URL shortening for link optimization, analysis, and monetization. | 14-day | Starts at $10.00 per month | |
Detailed review:
#1) Pixel
Best for Track clicks on links.
Pixel is a platform that allows you to shorten any link. This links can then be branded using custom domains. Once shortened, you’ll be able to share them in any channel. When building a link, you can also set parameters that define where the person clicking on the link will land based on country, device, data, and more.
You can also track every link you’ve created through a single dashboard. You can also build UTM parameters and create links in bulk. Pixels excels at capturing data every time someone clicks on the links built via this platform. You can rely on this data to find out what content resonates the most with your audience and make informed decisions.
Features:
- Customize links
- Establish routing conditions
- Manage multiple links in bulk
- Track clicks on the links
- Monitor performance of links.
Cons:
- A forever free plan would’ve been nice
Verdict: Pixel does lot more than shorten your links. You can use it find out how your links are performing and take actions to drive more traffic to your website or web-page.
Pricing: Pixel’s subscription plans are as follows:
- Basic: $8/month
- Plus: $24/month
- Scale: $82/month
#2) Bitly
Best for creating shortened URLs and custom links for free.
Bitly is one of the most popular free URL shorteners. The full-service URL shortener can easily shorten the link by pasting a link on its homepage. With Bitly, you can also measure campaign performance. This allows marketers to track and optimize their digital marketing efforts. We can also customize the links for branding purposes.
The paid version features a detailed dashboard allowing you to monitor link performance, including the location of users, number of clicks, and shares on social media platforms. You can drill down on information about the links by the hour.
Features:
- Automate link branding with APIs.
- Branded links with no expiry.
- Mobile links.
- Campaign Management and Analytics
- QR Codes
Pros:
- Custom links are useful for branding.
- Links can be personalized to the business.
- URL tracking feature provides useful information about online users.
- Redirects get the job done fast.
- Campaign performance can be measured over time.
Cons:
- The dashboard is not user friendly.
- Limited functionality in the free version.
Verdict: Bitly is the best free URL shorteners. Consider the paid version for advanced monitoring and customization of links.
Price:
- Free
- Basic: $29 per month with annual billing
- Premium: Starts at $199 per month with annual billing
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
- Free Trial: Yes | 30 days
Website: Bitly
#3) Rebrandly
Best for branded link management and link shortening with a custom domain name.
Rebrandly is the best link customization tool for branded links. The best thing about this tool is that you can customize the entire short URL. You can use the paid version for advanced branded link management, such as QR code generation and link analytics.
The URL shortener tool allows you to register a custom domain to create branded links. The branded links can be monitored, shared, and analyzed from the dashboard. The tool also uses 301 redirects that pass the short links’ SEO value to your website that is moved to another location.
Features:
- Fast 301 redirects.
- Branded links with no expiry.
- Custom reports (Premium and Enterprise versions only).
- Automate link branding with APIs.
- Link retargeting.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and manage links.
- Manage multiple custom domains.
- Fast redirection.
- Embedding UTM to monitor links.
- Domain and sub-domain level link shortening.
Cons:
- Limited third-party support.
- Direct API integration is missing.
Verdict: Rebrandly offers plenty of tools to customize and manage shortened links. You can select a free or paid version based on your exact requirements. The tool also integrates with Zapier, allowing you to automate link generation for WordPress posts or Dropbox files.
Price:
- Free
- Starter: $24 per month with annual billing
- Pro: $75 per month with annual billing
- Premium: $416 per month with annual billing
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Free Trial: Yes | 45 days
Website: Rebrandly
#4) TinyURL
Best for creating customized and branded TinyURLs for free.
TinyURL can quickly create shortened links anonymously. It is one of the first URL-shortening tools launched in January 2022. It is a great tool to post your e-commerce website links in online forums and groups.
You can create shortened links that do not have any expiry. It also allows you to customize your links with an alias. The tool has advanced features such as link tagging, URL editing, and visual data analytics. It provides statistics about your link performance in the form of a time chart and map.
Features:
- Full link history.
- Branded and customized links with no expiry.
- Link tagging (Pro version only).
- Bulk link (Bulk 100k version only).
- Custom Alias.
Pros:
- Create more descriptive URLs.
- Analyze the links.
- Create custom aliases.
- Links never expire.
- Integration with Bookmarklet.
Cons:
- UI design is not user-friendly.
- No password-protected link.
Verdict: The best thing about TinyURL is that you can create links that never expire. You also don’t need to create an account to create a link. However, consider a paid account if you want advanced features like branded domains, analytics, and link monitoring.
Price:
- Free
- Pro: Starts at $9.99 for 500 active TinyURL
- Bulk: Starts at $99 per month with 100,000 APIs
- Free Trial: No
Website: TinyURL
#5) Short.io (formerly Short.fm)
Best for white label URL shortening and short branded URLs.
Short.io allows you to send different links based on the location or device of the user. This is a useful tool if you want to create unique links for different groups of users. You can also select the default domain for shortened links. In addition, the tool shows you vital statistics regarding link performance.
The campaign tracking feature allows you to monitor the performance of marketing campaigns involving shortened links. It can support advanced features such as link cloaking, QR code, and custom link expiration.
Features:
- Integrate with Zapier
- Create custom links
- Link Automation
- Multiple unique links
Pros:
- Provides curated specific domains for different companies.
- Simple and efficient link tracking.
- Social media integration and monitoring.
- External integrations.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons
- Limited functionality in the free version.
- The data export option is confusing.
Verdict: Short.io is the best URL shortener tool for generating multiple unique links for different users. The tool also integrates with Zapier, allowing you to automate the link-shortening process.
Price:
- Free
- Personal: $16.66 per month with annual billing
- Team: $41.66 per month with annual billing
- Enterprise: $125 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 7 days
Website: Short.io
#6) Clkim
Best for flexible URL shortening for link optimization, analysis, and monetization.
Clkim is a URL platform of choice for affiliate marketers. The tool contains smart features such as redirects, retargeting, and more. It allows users to monetize links through custom-branded links. You can also segment users and re-target them to monetize traffic.
The URL shortener tool allows you to analyze traffic by location and device. You can use smart geo-specific redirects and launch full-page ads when users click on the links. Rank monitoring and campaign tracking are also useful features for optimizing the digital promotional strategy.
Features:
- Smart redirects
- Retargeting clicks
- Link monetization
Pros:
- Deep target analysis, including device type and location
- Track and manage link monetization from the dashboard
- Automation tools save time
- Easily integrate through API
- Brand management
Cons:
- Social sharing is lacking.
- Does not offer a free version.
Verdict: Clkim is a great URL management tool allowing you to analyze, optimize, and monetize shortened links. It is a great tool for affiliate marketers who want to generate and measure the performance of custom short links.
Price:
- Analyze: $10 per month with annual billing
- Optimize: $70 per month with annual billing
- Monetize: $100 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 14 days
Website: Clkim
#7) Ow.ly
Best for shortening links to measure traffic, and assess social media ROI using the Hootsuite dashboard.
Ow.ly is part of the Hootsuite tool that lets you shorten URLs. The tool also allows you to measure the traffic and social ROI of the links. You can view the link performance on the intuitive dashboard screen.
Features:
- Social accounts.
- Schedule unlimited posts.
- Access messages in your inbox.
- Hootsuite Social Advertising (Enterprise version only).
- Integration with content apps.
Verdict: Ow.ly is the right tool for digital marketing agencies and professionals. But it is not the best tool for small business owners or individuals due to its high prices.
Price:
- Professional: $49 per month with annual billing
- Team: $129 per month with annual billing
- Business: $739 with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 30 days
Website: Ow.ly
#8) Shorby
Best for adding multiple links to social media posts and bios.
Shorby is a user-friendly and easy-to-use URL shortening tool. A unique feature of the app is tracking pixels that allow you to monitor the performance of the link. You can also copy links to the clipboard to easily paste links into the desired app or social media site.
Features:
- Click insights
- Google Analytics
- Custom domain
Verdict: Shorby is a good link customization tool. The tool offers great convenience in creating and monitoring shortened URLs. It is best for both small business owners and digital marketing agencies.
Price:
- Rocket: $12 per month with annual billing
- Rocket: $24 per month with annual billing
- Agency: $82 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 14 days
Website: Shorby
#9) Tiny.cc
Best for shortening URLs, analyze clicks, and create branded links.
Tiny.cc is a basic URL-shortened tool. The tool also allows you to customize the link text. The premium version supports higher click limits and link analysis. You can use the tool to change your links at a later time.
Features:
- Custom domain
- Link monitoring
- No expiry links
- Custom shortened links
Verdict: Tiny.cc allows you to create shortened links without creating an account. However, you must create an account if you want to create shortened links that will never expire.
Price:
- Free
- Basic: 4.58 per month with annual billing
- Business: $22.91 per month with annual billing
- Pro: $40.33 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 7 days
Website: Tiny.cc
#10) Sniply
Best for Affiliate marketers to boost conversion rates with call-to-action with shortened links.
Sniply is a unique URL customization tool that lets you add a unique Call To Action (CTAs) to the links. The tool also features link tracking that allows you to analyze user interactions.
Features:
- Add CTAs to the links.
- Link monitoring.
- Integration with email marketing apps.
Verdict: Sniply is a useful tool for digital marketers. It is a bit pricier since it is a marketing tool rather than simply a URL shortening tool.
Price:
- Free
- Basic: $25 per month with annual billing
- Pro: $66 per month with annual billing
- Business: $125 per month with annual billing
- Agency: $250 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 14 days
Website: Sniply
#11) BL.INK
Best for Enterprise URL Shortener, branded links, and link management.
BL.INK is the best URL customization tool for small business owners. The full-featured link allows you to shorten links and also monitor traffic from the links. You can learn about trending links and other statistics from the dashboard.
Features:
- Link monitoring
- Add tags to shortened links.
- Learn about trending links.
Verdict: BL.INK is a great URL shortener. But it is not the right tool for the average Joe. The tool is pricier as compared to most other URL shortener tools.
Price:
- Expert+: 48 per month
- SMB: $99 per month
- Team: $299 per month
- Business: $599 per month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
- Free Trial: Yes | 21 days
Website: BL.INK
#12) T2M
Best for Custom URL shortening, branded domain, and vanity links.
T2M allows you to easily create shortened links. The tool allows you to create vanity and branded links. It also supports API integration that allows you to automate shortening links.
Features:
- Customize URLs
- Click redirects
- Delete shortened URLs
- Intuitive dashboard
Verdict: T2M is a great tool for shortening lengthy URLs. It allows you to shorten links with a mouse click.
Price:
- Basic: $5 one-time fee
- Standard: $7.49 per month with annual billing
- Pro: $22.49 per month with annual billing
- Premium: $67.49 per month with annual billing
- Dedicated: Custom pricing
- Free Trial: Yes | 15 days
Website: T2M
#13) URL Shortener by Zapier
Best for connecting URL Shortener with apps to automate workflows.
URL shortener by Zapier allows you to automate creating shortened links. This tool will save time in posting links to your social media accounts. You can create a “Zap” that will trigger whenever you upload a product or take any action. The shortened URL will be sent to another app such as Google Sheets.
Features:
- Automate shortened link generation.
- App integration.
- Filter links.
- Transfer shortened links.
Verdict: Zapier is a time-saving tool for creating shortened links. The free version allows you to easily automate the process of generating short links. You should consider the paid version if you want advanced tools such as creating custom logic paths for automated links.
Price:
- Free
- Starter: 19.99 per month with annual billing
- Professional: $49 per month with annual billing
- Team: $299 per month with annual billing
- Company: $599 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 14 days
Website: Zapier
#14) Qti.ai
Best for creating safe shortened URLs using AI and machine learning algorithms.
Qti.ai is a unique tool that lets users create safe and unique URLs. The tool allows users to add custom words at the end of the link. It analyzes URLs using proprietary AI and machine learning algorithms to ensure greater accuracy.
Features:
- AI and Machine Learning.
- Detects online threats with each link.
- Prevent scam links.
Verdict: Qti.ai is an easy-to-use tool for shortening links. However, the tool lacks link monitoring features. It is used for the sole purpose of quickly shortening links.
Price: Free
Website: Qti.ai
#15) Chl.li
Best for creating privacy-friendly URLs using API keys.
Chl.li is a safe and fast URL shortener tool. It allows you to shorten the link using your API key. The service used to be free. But the company now only offers paid plans in a bid to prevent scammers from using the service.
Features:
- Shorten links using an API key.
- Custom expiry date.
- Optional custom ending.
- Spam-free URL shortener.
Verdict: Chl.li is a good tool for creating privacy-friendly shortened links. You can shorten the link by entering an API key. This is an ideal tool for shortening thousands of links for your website or social media account.
Price:
- Personal: $1 per month with annual billing
- Medium: $12 per month
- Large: $120 per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Free Trial: No
Website: Chl.li
#16) Tiny.ie
Best for creating branded links and monitoring user interaction with links.
Tiny.ie is a good tool for small business owners. The tool lets you create customized branded links. It supports link clicks of up to 500,000 per month. The tool also lets you track and analyze interactions with your custom links.
Features:
- Unlimited short links
- Branded domains
- Link variation
Verdict: Tiny.ie offers a good overall package for URL shortening. This tool allows you to create unlimited short links. However, this tool lacks advanced link monitoring and customization features found in most URL shortening tools.
Price:
- Starter: $15.83 per month with annual billing
- Growth: $40.83 per month with annual billing
- Pro:$82.50 per month with annual billing
- Free Trial: Yes | 14 days
Website: Tiny.ie
FAQs on Custom URL Shortener
A URL shortener tool is also known as a link customization app. It is used to optimize website links by shortening them to about one-third of the actual size of the link.
The URL shortener tool gives you a concise version of the original link. The shortened link points to the original website. Users who click on the shortened link will be redirected to the linked website.
People use URL shortening tools to save a lot of space when posting a link. The shortened links can hide affiliated website links, analyze audiences, and assess online ad campaigns.
You can use the link shortener free tool available online. The free link shortener tool allows you to shorten any website link. However, a paid version is generally required if you want a custom URL shortener to customize the shortened links.
A risk with shortened URL is that you don’t know about the domain of the website. It may point to a malicious website. You should not click on a shortened link unless it is posted by a trusted source.
Conclusion
Bitly is the best all-around URL shortener free tool. The best tool for creating branded links is Rebrandly. If you want a tool for quick anonymous URL shortening that will never expire, you should consider TinyURL.
Short.io is the best link customization tool for sending multiple links to the same website to different users. The best link shortener for affiliate marketers is Sniply, which supports adding CTA to shortened links.
Research Process:
- Time Taken to Research this Article: It took us about 8 hours to research and write a review on the best Free URL Shorteners to customize the link.
- Total Free URL Shorteners Researched: 30
- Top Free URL Shorteners Shortlisted: 15