9 Best Bitly Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid, Compared)
Bitly's free plan now caps out at 5 new links a month, shows an ad-interstitial page before every free-plan redirect, and doesn't include a custom domain at any price under its $29/month Growth tier. None of that was true a few years ago and it's the reason "Bitly alternative" has become one of the most searched phrases in the URL shortener space.
If you're here because a link cap, a price increase, or an ad on your own short link finally pushed you to look elsewhere, here's what actually replaces Bitly without the same catch.
Why People Search for a Bitly Alternative
Three complaints come up consistently:
- The free plan shrank: Bitly's free tier now allows 5 links per month down from limits that used to be in the thousands. For anyone running even one small campaign, that's exhausted in a day.
- Ads on free-plan links: Since 2025, Bitly shows an interstitial ad page before redirecting free-plan links, which adds friction (and looks unprofessional) on links you're sharing under your own name.
- Custom domains cost more than expected: Branded links the single biggest reason to use a shortener over a raw URL require Bitly's Core plan ($10/mo) at minimum, and the more useful branding controls sit behind the $29/mo Growth tier.
None of that makes Bitly a bad tool. It just means the "default" choice isn't automatically the best one anymore, especially if you don't need Bitly's name recognition specifically.
Quick Comparison: 9 Bitly Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool | Free Plan | Custom Domain (Free) | Starting Paid Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortnerly | Fast, no-friction shortening* | Confirm current plan* | — | Simple shortening without setup overhead |
| TinyURL | Unlimited, permanent links | No | $16/mo | Links that need to last for years |
| Short.io | 1,000 links, 50k clicks/mo | Yes, up to 5 domains | $5/mo | Developers, multi-brand link management |
| Rebrandly | 10 links/mo, unlimited clicks | Yes, 1 domain | Included free | One clean branded domain, kept simple |
| Dub | 25 links/mo, 1,000 clicks/mo | Yes, up to 3 domains | $25/mo | Real analytics (location, device) for free |
| Cuttly | 30 links/mo + link-in-bio | Yes, 1 domain | $12/mo | Bundled link-in-bio + shortener |
| Ow.ly (Hootsuite) | Included with Hootsuite plans | No standalone free tier | Bundled in Hootsuite pricing | Teams already on Hootsuite for social |
| T2M / T.LY | Generous free tier, ad-free | Limited | Low-cost paid tiers | Straightforward switch, no ads |
| Canva | Unlimited, tied to Canva | No | Included in Canva Pro | Designers already in Canva |
Shortnerly's exact free-tier limits and custom domain support should be confirmed on the live pricing page before publishing same standing note as the last two articles.
The 9 Alternatives, Reviewed
1. Shortnerly Simplest Direct Switch
No account wall to get a working short link, which matters most for anyone switching specifically because Bitly's flow got more restrictive. Straightforward positioning for someone who just wants Bitly's old simplicity back. See how Shortnerly compares to Bitly directly if you want the full breakdown.
2. TinyURL Best for Permanent, No-Expiry Links
Been running since 2002 with the same core promise: a short link that doesn't expire and doesn't require an account. No ads on redirects, unlike Bitly's current free plan.
Best for: Print, packaging, or anything where the link needs to still work in five years.
3. Short.io Most Generous Free Custom Domain Support
The clearest upgrade over Bitly on the exact thing Bitly gates behind a paid plan: up to 5 custom domains, free, plus 1,000 branded links and 50,000 tracked clicks a month.
Best for: Anyone whose main complaint with Bitly is "I can't get a branded domain without paying." Here's the full setup walkthrough for how custom domains actually work.
4. Rebrandly Simplest One-Domain Switch
Only 10 links a month free, but one custom domain is included from day one, with unlimited click tracking a direct answer to Bitly's "pay $10+/mo just to brand your links" model.
5. Dub Best Analytics Upgrade
Location and device-level analytics free data Bitly reserves for paid plans plus 3 custom domains. The strongest pick for anyone who felt Bitly's free analytics were too shallow to be useful. If click and campaign tracking is the main draw, this guide to link analytics and UTM tracking covers what to actually look for.
6. Cuttly Most Bundled Free Features
Shortening, a link-in-bio page, and QR codes together on one free plan (30 links/month, 1 branded domain) useful if you were using Bitly for more than just shortening.
7. Ow.ly (by Hootsuite) Best If You're Already on Hootsuite
Not a standalone product Ow.ly comes bundled inside Hootsuite's social media management plans. Makes sense specifically for teams already paying for Hootsuite who don't want a second, separate shortener subscription.
Bitly vs. Ow.ly, in short: Bitly works as a standalone tool with its own dashboard and API; Ow.ly only exists inside Hootsuite. Choose Ow.ly if you're already scheduling posts through Hootsuite otherwise a standalone tool gives you more flexibility.
8. T.LY Straightforward, Ad-Free Switch
A more generous free tier than Bitly's current one, with no ad-interstitial on redirects a direct fix for the single most common Bitly complaint.
9. Canva Convenience Pick for Designers
Not a dedicated shortener, but free and unlimited for basic use if you're already building graphics or social posts inside Canva and just want a quick link without opening another tab.
Bitly vs. TinyURL The Most Asked Comparison
Since this comes up constantly in the same searches: TinyURL's advantage over Bitly is permanence and simplicity no link cap on the free plan, no ads, no account required for basic use. Bitly's advantage is name recognition and a more built-out analytics dashboard on paid tiers. For anyone shortening links for print, documents, or anything long-lived, TinyURL is the safer free pick. For active marketing campaigns needing deeper tracking, a tool like Dub or Short.io now out-features Bitly's free tier anyway.
Bottom Line
Bitly isn't gone from this list because it's bad it's here because its free plan no longer fits the way most people actually use a shortener. If the ad interstitial is the problem, TinyURL or T.LY fix it immediately. If the custom domain paywall is the problem, Short.io currently offers the most free access to it. Match the switch to the specific thing that pushed you to search for an alternative in the first place, rather than picking whichever name is most familiar. Ready to switch? Create your first free short link with Shortnerly no card required to try it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the best free Bitly alternative?
Ans: It depends on what you need most. Short.io currently gives the most generous free custom-domain support. TinyURL is the better pick for links that need to work indefinitely. Dub wins on free analytics depth.
Q2: Why are people switching away from Bitly?
Ans: The three most common reasons: the free plan now caps at 5 links a month, free-plan links show an ad-interstitial page before redirecting, and custom branded domains require at least the $10/month Core plan.
Q3: Is there a Bitly alternative with no ads on free links?
Ans: Yes TinyURL, T.LY, and Short.io's free plans do not show ads on redirects, unlike Bitly's current free tier.
Q4: Bitly vs TinyURL which is better?
Ans: TinyURL is stronger for permanent, no-cap free links. Bitly is stronger for built-in analytics dashboards on paid plans. For most people replacing Bitly specifically because of its free-tier limits, TinyURL is the more direct swap.
Q5: Do I need a paid plan to get a custom domain instead of Bitly?
Ans: Not necessarily. Unlike Bitly, which requires at least its $10/month Core plan for a custom domain, tools like Short.io, Rebrandly, Dub, and Cuttly all include at least one custom domain free.