3 Best Free Link Shorteners: Ranked and Reviewed

Paid online link shorteners have premium features to fit your needs. 

However, if you’re worried about what options you can use without paying, don’t sweat it. 

There are several free web tools for making short links. 

In this article, we’ll discuss our top free URL shorteners for organizational and individual needs.

What Are URL Shortener Services?

A short link service is a website that helps to shorten links. 

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) usually appears as a long link that might not look pleasing to click on. 

However, you can get a shortened link with a custom URL shortener.

Why Are URL Shorteners Important? 

URL shorteners are best for productivity, and here’s why. 

Using the best URL shortener can help you make memorable links for your social posts, which can improve your click-through rates. 

Also, it can help you track traffic.

Do You Need a URL shortener? 

You can do without a URL shortener, but your social media links might look spammy and have low click-through rates. 

Shortening URLs can help you:

• Track link conversions
• Improve click-through-rate
• Improve sharing
• Enhance your SEO

Features to Look For in a Free URL Shortener 

To get the best free link shortener in your stack, there are a few things you should consider. 

Here are some of them:

Ease of Use

The last thing you want is to spend hours trying to create new short links. 

So, avoid URL-shortening sites with complicated processes and poor user interfaces. 

Also, URL shortening services with advanced traffic reports can be hard to understand, so unless you have the qualification to understand them, you should try something simpler.

Traffic Report 

Traffic reports help in tracking the number of clicks you get on your short URLs – great for marketing.

So, use a short URL service that clearly shows the details you need, like the number of clicks, average daily clicks, and click history. 

Customized Web Address 

Using a service that allows you to create a custom domain using your keyword or brand name is good. 

The essence of shortening links is to make them more appealing and inspire more clicks. 

And you can do this if the link shortener allows you to customize your long URL to keywords. 

While your web address might not contain the keyword that describes your page, you can use link-shortening services to create links with keywords of your choice.

Best Free Link Shortner: Our Top 3 Options 

Here are our top choices for the best URL-shortening services. 

1. Rebrandly: Our Pick

As an individual or business, Rebrandly is your best resource for making branded URLs as it provides full-service options for this feature. 

You can improve your click-through rates and get more conversions through its high-volume link creation, customization, and address search. 

It’s also fit for social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook, as it provides a QR code, links with emojis, and custom URL slog features. 

Key Features of Rebrandly

Here are some of the features you can enjoy with Rebrandly:

• Link Management: Rebrandly offers a full range of management services that can get your business through its needs with features like HTML tags, custom domain, and branded link export.
• Traffic Routing: Taking you a bit further from web address shortening, Rebrandly enables traffic routing like SEO 301 redirect, emoji links, mobile deep linking, etc. 
• Analytics: Rebrandly offers real-time data on your clicks. You also have access to GDPR privacy, custom report builder, and aggregated reports. 
• Collaboration: As a business, you can get extra spots on Rebrandly for other teammates using a single package. The service supports multiple-user workspaces secured with two-factor authentication. 

Why Is Rebrandly a Great Solution? 

Rebrandly offers a vast amount of tools and features that every pro can spin to get the best results.

But if you’re not conversant with manipulating tools or reading analytics, there are other URL shorteners you can try out.

Pros of Rebrandly 

• Limited Free Plan: Rebrandly offers a free but limited account that gives you access to some of its features. With it, you can create 500 shortened URLs per month. The plan also allows you to track over 5000 clicks on those links monthly. Added to this, you get five custom domains as a trial.
• Enterprise Options: Rebrandly includes an option for enterprises. So, you can request a feature tailored to meet your business goals. 
• Reliability: You can rely on Rebrandly to provide all your quality branded links, tracking, SEO link management, and more. 

Cons of Rebrandly 

• Complexity: Rebrandly has several features that you might not ordinarily know how to use. If you need a simpler option, it’s probably not the best one for you. 
• Expensive: For a small business, it might be expensive to purchase.

Rebrandly Pricing 

Rebrandly offers four pricing options. They include:

• Free: $0 per month
• Essential: $24 monthly 
• Professional: $75 monthly 
• Team: $417 monthly 

Can You Try Rebrandly for Free?

Yes, Rebrandly has a free limited version that gives you 500 shortened URLs and 5,000 URL checks monthly. 

2. Bitly: Runner Up

On Bitly, you can create short URLs on the go without registering. 

It offers all-around URL shortener services, some of which you can access with your free limited account. 

Also, its easy-to-use interface allows you to use complex features in a manner that requires less effort.

It’s great for both beginners and advanced users. 

Key Features of Bitly

Here’s a curated list of its services:

• Web Address Management: It offers management features comprising URL shorteners, a custom domain, URL redirects, and advanced analytics & tracking.
• QR Codes: You can use the QR code feature that includes fully customizable and dynamic codes. They help provide advanced analytics & tracking.
• Link-In-Bio: This new feature can help you create custom URLs for social media, customizable landing pages, and manage links easily.

Why Is Bitly a Great Solution?

Bitly introduces a modern link-shortening style.

Its QR code and Link-In-Bio feature are one of the best in the industry. 

Its services aren’t that complex or basic, so anyone can handle them.

Pros 

• Usability: It has a modern interface that can serve at any level. You don’t need any special skill to use it to its best. 
• Value for Money: You can get the best value for your money by exploring all its features since it’s easy to use. 
• Free Limited Account: Instead of free trials, it offers a free account to its customers with limited functionalities.

Cons

• Limited Free Feature: It’s gradually reducing the leverage it provides users. It’ll be no shock if it soon turns into a fully paid service.

Bitly Pricing 

It offers four pricing levels. They include:

• Free: $0 per month 
• Starter: $8 per month 
• Basic: $29 per month 
• Premium: 199 per month 

Can You Try Bitly for Free?

Yes, you can create up to 1,000 branded links monthly and get traffic analytics reports on 100 URLs. 

3. Tiny URL: Budget Pick 

Tiny URL is one of the oldest URL shortener services online. 

You can use the platform to shorten and personalize links in a single breath. 

So, if you want something quick and cost-effective, Tinyurl is your best match. 

In addition, its paid plans grant you access to advanced features like traffic tracking. 

Key Features of Tiny URL 

Here are the services Tiny URL offers:

• URL Management: This includes a free URL shortener and non-expiring link creation. 
• Customization: Customize your URLs to fit your needs. You can use your name, keywords, or any word that best describes your links’ purpose. 
• Analytics: Tiny URL doesn’t just leave you with short links; instead, it offers you details on your click rates and other stats. 

Why Is Tiny URL a Great Solution?

Tiny URL is one of the original URL shortener services on the internet.

It maintains a record of simplicity, as you can paste and shorten your links in a few clicks. 

Also, Tinyurl offers most of its services at no cost and can be a budget-friendly option for your small business. 

Pros of Tiny URL 

• Faster Navigation: Tiny URL site has only a few sections. So you don’t have to navigate through several pages to find the feature you need. 
• Free Account: It keeps up to 70% of its services free. You only need to sign up and verify your email to access them.
• Track History: You can use Tiny URL to track history up to six months back. 

Cons of Tiny URL

• Poor mobile UI: The user interface design on the Tiny URL site could do with more spicing up. It doesn’t have a modern look as the new sites coming up and might not give a great first impression. 
• Few Services: In a more competitive market like this, Tiny URL offers barely a few services. If you need something more in-depth, you might have to look at other options.

Tiny URL Pricing 

Tiny URL has three pricing options.

They are:

• Free: $0 per month 
• Pro: $9.99 per month 
• Bulk: $99 per month

Are Tiny URLs Free?

Yes, your free TinyURL account gives you access to basic ad-supported web address shortening for individual users. 

Wrapping Up 

You don’t have to spend so much money to create short links that can fit your brand goals when you can make the most of our top picks above. 

Rebrandly offers one of the best URL shortener services for small and enterprise-level businesses. 

However, you can use Bitly if you need something simple that offers similar features. 

And if you’re low on budget, Tiny URL can come through for you.