Free URL Shorteners Compared: The 10 Best Options in 2025

Looking for the best free URL shortener? You have plenty of options. In this guide, we'll compare the top 10 free URL shorteners to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

The 10 Best Free URL Shorteners

1. Quik ⭐ Recommended

The modern choice for free URL shortening with professional features.

Key Features:

• 100 links/month on free plan
• Advanced analytics
• Custom short links
• Password protection
• Link expiration
• QR code generation
• Google OAuth login
• Team collaboration (Premium)

Best for: Individuals, small businesses, content creators

Why it's #1: Quik offers the best free feature set with password protection and link expiration—features competitors charge for.

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2. Bitly

The industry standard (though limited on free plan).

Free Plan Features:

• 50 links/month
• Basic analytics
• QR codes
• API access
• Custom links on paid plans

Best for: Marketers wanting enterprise features (though you'll pay for it)

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3. TinyURL

The simplest option for one-off links.

Free Plan Features:

• Unlimited links
• Basic click tracking
• No registration required
• API available
• Aliases (custom part)

Best for: Users who just need quick, simple links

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4. Short.io

Good middle ground with free tier.

Free Plan Features:

• 500 links/month
• Basic analytics
• Custom short links
• Domain customization

Best for: Growing businesses needing more than Quik's free tier

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5. Rebrandly

Beautiful interface with good free features.

Free Plan Features:

• 100 links/month
• Basic analytics
• Custom domains
• QR codes
• Browser extension

Best for: Users who value design and custom domains

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6. Cuttly

Simple and straightforward.

Free Plan Features:

• 1,000 links/month (generous!)
• Click analytics
• QR codes
• No custom links on free
• API available

Best for: High-volume users needing basic features

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7. Is.gd

Minimalist and fast.

Free Plan Features:

• Unlimited links
• Click tracking
• Custom short links
• No registration needed
• API access

Best for: Power users who need unlimited links

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8. Ow.ly (Hootsuite)

Built into Hootsuite social media platform.

Free Plan Features:

• Integrated with Hootsuite
• Basic analytics
• Social scheduling
• Click tracking

Best for: Social media managers already using Hootsuite

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9. T.ly

Privacy-focused alternative.

Free Plan Features:

• 300 links/month
• Analytics
• Custom domain support
• Ad-free experience
• Privacy-first approach

Best for: Privacy-conscious users

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10. V.gd

Simple and reliable.

Free Plan Features:

• Unlimited links
• Basic analytics
• QR codes
• API available

Best for: Developers needing API access

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Detailed Comparison Table

| Feature | Quik | Bitly | TinyURL | Short.io | Cuttly | Is.gd | |---------|------|-------|---------|----------|--------|-------| | Free Links/Month | 100 | 50 | ∞ | 500 | 1,000 | ∞ | | Analytics | Advanced | Basic | Basic | Good | Basic | Basic | | Custom Links | ✅ | Paid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Password Protection | ✅ | ✅ Paid | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | | Link Expiration | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | | QR Codes | ✅ | ✅ | Basic | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | API Access | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Custom Domain | Paid | Paid | ❌ | ✅ | Paid | ❌ |

Choosing Your Free URL Shortener

By Use Case

Content Marketing & Blogging → Quik or Short.io You need good analytics and the ability to track which posts drive traffic.

Social Media Posting → Quik or Bitly Quick creation, analytics integration, and QR codes matter most.

Email Marketing → Quik (with tracking) Password protection and expiration are valuable for exclusive content.

Development & API Usage → Is.gd or Cuttly Unlimited links and reliable API access are crucial.

Maximum Link Volume → Cuttly, TinyURL, or Is.gd You need unlimited links without restrictions.

By Feature Priority

Best Analytics (Free) → Quik Real-time tracking with device and referrer data.

Most Links (Free) → Cuttly or Is.gd (1,000+ unlimited)

Best Customization (Free) → Short.io Custom domains on free plan.

Simplest Interface → TinyURL No login required, bare-bones simplicity.

Most Features (Free) → Quik Password protection, expiration, analytics, custom links—all free.

Free vs. Paid: When to Upgrade

Most free URL shorteners offer paid plans with:

• Increased link limits
• Advanced analytics
• Custom domains
• Team collaboration
• API rate increases
• White-label options

You should upgrade when:

• You exceed the free monthly limit
• You need custom domain branding
• You require team collaboration features
• You need advanced analytics integrations
• You want dedicated support

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are free URL shorteners reliable? A: Yes, the major providers (Quik, Bitly, TinyURL) have excellent uptime records. Your shortened links will work permanently unless you set expiration dates.

Q: Can free URL shorteners track analytics? A: Most can track clicks. Better options like Quik track device type, referrer, and location.

Q: Is it free forever? A: Yes, but monthly limits apply. Quik's free plan is 100 links/month, Bitly is 50.

Q: Can I export my links? A: Most platforms allow bulk export through their dashboard or API.

The Bottom Line

For most users, Quik is the best free URL shortener in 2025.

It combines advanced features typically found in paid plans with a generous free tier. But the best choice depends on your needs:

• Most Features: Quik
• Most Links: Cuttly or Is.gd
• Simplest: TinyURL
• Enterprise Standard: Bitly (though not free-friendly)

Try Quik free today and see why thousands of creators trust it for their link shortening needs.

Start with Quik Free