Best Free & Paid URL Shorteners Compared (2025 Guide) 🚀
Introduction: Why Do You Need a URL Shortener?
Long URLs can be difficult to share, remember, and track. Whether you're a blogger, marketer, business owner, or social media influencer, a URL shortener helps you:
✅ Make links shorter & more readable
✅ Track clicks & user engagement
✅ Improve branding with custom domains
✅ Increase trust & credibility
But not all URL shorteners are equal. Some are free with limitations, while others offer premium features for businesses and marketers.
🔹 In this guide, we compare the best free and paid URL shorteners, focusing on:
✔️ Features & Performance
✔️ Analytics & Tracking
✔️ Customization & Branding
✔️ Speed & Reliability
Let’s dive in! 🚀
Best Free URL Shorteners (2025)
1. TinyURL – The Best Free URL Shortener for Casual Users
🌟 Why Choose TinyURL?
TinyURL is a 100% free tool that allows you to shorten links instantly without an account.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Unlimited free short links
✔️ No expiration on links
✔️ Custom aliases available
✔️ Simple & easy to use
💲 Pricing
✅ Free – Basic shortening
✅ Paid Plan ($9.99/month) – Analytics & custom branding
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Casual users who need a quick short link
🔹 Bloggers & small businesses
🔗 Try TinyURL: tinyurl.com
2. Bitly (Free Plan) – The Best for Basic Tracking
🌟 Why Choose Bitly?
Bitly is a fast & reliable URL shortener that offers basic tracking for free users.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Up to 10 free custom short links/month
✔️ Basic link analytics
✔️ QR code generation
✔️ Fast & reliable performance
💲 Pricing
✅ Free Plan – 10 custom links/month
✅ Paid Plan ($8/month) – More branding & analytics
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Bloggers & casual users who need occasional link tracking
🔗 Try Bitly: bitly.com
3. Rebrandly (Free Plan) – The Best for Custom Branding
🌟 Why Choose Rebrandly?
Rebrandly allows users to create branded short links for free.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Custom domain support
✔️ Up to 5 custom domains (free plan)
✔️ Basic analytics & tracking
💲 Pricing
✅ Free Plan – 5 custom domains, 500 branded links/month
✅ Paid Plan ($12/month) – Advanced analytics & team collaboration
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Small businesses & influencers who want branded links
🔗 Try Rebrandly: rebrandly.com
Best Paid URL Shorteners (2025)
1. Bitly (Premium Plan) – Best Overall Paid Shortener
🌟 Why Choose Bitly Premium?
Bitly’s premium plan offers advanced analytics, branding, and automation.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Unlimited branded links
✔️ Deep tracking & analytics
✔️ Custom QR codes & API access
💲 Pricing
✅ Starts at $8/month
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Marketers & businesses needing detailed tracking
🔗 Try Bitly: bitly.com
2. Rebrandly (Premium Plan) – Best for Custom Branded Links
🌟 Why Choose Rebrandly Premium?
If you want branded short links, Rebrandly is the best option.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Unlimited branded domains
✔️ Detailed tracking & analytics
✔️ API for automation
💲 Pricing
✅ Starts at $12/month
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Businesses & influencers who want professional branding
🔗 Try Rebrandly: rebrandly.com
3. T2M – Best for Bulk URL Shortening
🌟 Why Choose T2M?
T2M is the best paid URL shortener for users who need to shorten multiple URLs at once.
✅ Key Features
✔️ Bulk URL shortening
✔️ Detailed analytics
✔️ QR code generation
💲 Pricing
✅ Starts at $5/month
🏆 Best For:
🔹 Businesses & marketers managing multiple campaigns
🔗 Try T2M: t2m.io
Comparison Table: Free vs. Paid URL Shorteners
| URL Shortener | Free Plan | Paid Plan | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| TinyURL | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Simple & fast |
| Bitly | ✅ Yes (10 links) | ✅ Yes ($8/month) | Analytics & branding |
| Rebrandly | ✅ Yes (5 domains) | ✅ Yes ($12/month) | Branded links |
| T2M | ❌ No | ✅ Yes ($5/month) | Bulk shortening |
Which URL Shortener Should You Choose?
✅ Choose TinyURL if:
🔹 You want a simple & free tool with no sign-up required
✅ Choose Bitly (Free) if:
🔹 You need basic analytics & tracking
✅ Choose Rebrandly (Free) if:
🔹 You want branded links without paying
✅ Choose Bitly (Paid) if:
🔹 You need detailed tracking & custom branding
✅ Choose Rebrandly (Paid) if:
🔹 You run a business or brand that needs professional links
✅ Choose T2M if:
🔹 You manage multiple campaigns & need bulk shortening
🚀 Pick the right URL shortener for your needs and start sharing smarter today! 🚀