8 Best Free URL Shorteners Compared in 2026

Every URL shortener will turn a long link into a short one. The real differences show up afterward: how many links you get for free, whether you can track clicks, whether you can use your own brand, and whether each link comes with a QR code. This guide compares eight free URL shorteners on those points, so you can pick the one that fits how you actually share links.

What to Compare in a Free URL Shortener

Before the list, these are the points that separate the tools.

• Free link limit: how many new short links you can create each month before you hit a paywall.
• Analytics: can you see clicks, locations, and devices, or just the link?
• Custom slugs: can you set a readable ending instead of a random string?
• Branded domain: can you use your own domain, and is it free or paid?
• QR codes: does every link come with a matching QR code?
• Link management: a dashboard to organize, edit, and search your links.

The 8 Best Free URL Shorteners

1. QRLinkify: Best All-Round Free Plan

QRLinkify combines link shortening, QR codes, and analytics in one free plan. The free tier covers a generous number of links per month, custom slugs, click analytics with country and device data, and an automatic QR code for every link. The standout is that links and QR codes live together, so one destination is tracked across both. Branded domains are a paid feature. For anyone who wants links and codes in one place without paying, it is the most complete option.

2. Bitly: The Best-Known Name

Bitly is the most recognized shortener, and the product is polished. The weakness is the free plan: it is limited to a small number of short links per month, with only basic analytics, and a branded domain requires a paid plan starting around 35 dollars a month. Worth using if you already have a Bitly account with link history, but tight for new, active users.

3. TinyURL: Simplest, No Account Needed

TinyURL has done one thing since 2002: make long links short, with no account required. Links do not expire and it is free. What it does not do is analytics, custom domains, or QR codes. For shortening a link once to drop into a message, it is the fastest path. For anything you want to track or brand, it is not enough.

4. Rebrandly: Best for Branded Links

Rebrandly is focused on branded short links on your own domain. Its free plan is generous on branded links, which is unusual, since most tools charge for custom domains. The trade-off is that the rest of the product is thinner: limited analytics on the free plan and no real QR design tools. Good if a branded domain is your single priority.

5. Short.io: Best for Custom Domains

Short.io lets you connect a custom domain on its free plan, which most competitors do not. The free plan is capped by monthly clicks rather than by link count. It is more technical than consumer-friendly, with a strong API, so it suits people building link shortening into a workflow more than a marketer who wants something simple.

6. Cutt.ly: Mid-Range Free Analytics

Cutt.ly sits in a comfortable middle. The free plan includes a set of branded links, a custom domain option, and analytics covering clicks, countries, and devices. QR codes are included but basic. A solid choice if you have outgrown TinyURL but are not ready to pay, and you do not need advanced QR design.

7. Dub: Best for Modern Teams

Dub is a newer, open-source-friendly shortener with a clean interface and a usable free plan that includes analytics and a custom domain. It is aimed at startups and developer-leaning teams. The QR support is simple, and the focus is firmly on links rather than codes.

8. T.LY: Lightweight and Quick

T.LY is a fast, no-friction shortener with a free plan that includes a reasonable number of links, basic analytics, and a browser extension for shortening links as you browse. It is a good pick if you want something quick and light and do not need branded domains or QR design.

Quick Comparison

Which Free URL Shortener Should You Choose?

Match the tool to the job. For a one-time link with no tracking, TinyURL is the quickest. If a branded domain is the priority and you will not pay, Rebrandly or Short.io stand out. For a modern team that lives in links, Dub is clean and capable. And if you want links, QR codes, and analytics together in one free plan, QRLinkify covers the most ground without paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free URL shortener?

It depends on what you need. For links, QR codes, and analytics in one free plan, QRLinkify is the most complete. For a quick no-account link, TinyURL is fastest. For a free branded domain, Rebrandly and Short.io lead. There is no single winner, only the best fit for your use.

Are free URL shorteners safe?

Reputable ones are. Stick to shorteners with a clear company behind them and a privacy policy. The risk with unknown free shorteners is that they may shut down and break your links, or insert their own ads and redirects. A known provider is worth choosing for anything that matters.

Do free short links expire?

With a reputable shortener, no. A short link keeps working as long as the service and your account are active. The danger is low-quality free shorteners that disappear. For anything printed or long-lived, use a provider you can rely on.

Can I track clicks on a free plan?

On some tools, yes. QRLinkify, Short.io, Cutt.ly, and Dub include analytics on their free plans. Bitly offers only basic data for free, and TinyURL offers none. If tracking matters, check it is on the free tier before you commit.

Can I use my own domain for free?

On most shorteners a custom domain is a paid feature, including QRLinkify and Bitly. The exceptions are Rebrandly, Short.io, and Dub, which allow a custom domain on their free plans, with other limits in exchange.

If you want a free plan that covers short links, click analytics, and a QR code for every link, start with the QRLinkify URL shortener. To compare what each plan includes, see the pricing page.