7 Best Bitly Alternatives in 2026 (Free and Paid)

Bitly is the best-known link shortener, but it is not always the best fit. The most common reason people look for an alternative is the free plan, which is limited to a small number of links a month, with branded domains locked behind paid tiers that start around 35 dollars a month. This guide compares seven Bitly alternatives, free and paid, and is honest about which one suits which kind of user.

Why People Look for a Bitly Alternative

Bitly is a capable product, so the reasons to switch are usually specific:

• The free plan is tight: a low monthly link cap and only basic analytics.
• Branded domains, which many people consider essential, require a paid plan.
• Pricing steps up quickly once you need more than the basics.
• QR codes exist but are limited in design compared with dedicated QR tools.
• Some teams simply want links and QR codes managed in one place.

None of that makes Bitly a bad tool. It just means a different shortener may give you more for free, or a better price as you grow. Here are the alternatives worth considering.

The 7 Best Bitly Alternatives

1. QRLinkify: Best for Links and QR Codes Together

QRLinkify shortens links and generates QR codes in one product, with a free plan that is more generous than Bitly's on both. Every short link comes with a QR code automatically, and analytics cover clicks and scans together. It also includes an AI QR generator that builds artistic, on-brand codes, which Bitly does not offer. Branded domains are a paid feature, as on most tools. It is the strongest pick if you want links and codes in one place without paying for two products.

2. Rebrandly: Best for Branded Links

Rebrandly is built around branded short links on your own domain, and its free plan is unusually generous with branded links, where Bitly charges. If your priority is having every link on your own domain at the lowest cost, Rebrandly leads. The rest of the product, analytics and QR design, is thinner, and team features sit on higher-priced plans.

3. Short.io: Best Free Custom Domain

Short.io allows a custom domain on its free plan, which Bitly does not. The free tier is measured in monthly clicks rather than link count. It has strong API and webhook support, which makes it a good fit for teams building link shortening into their own products or automations. It is less polished for non-technical marketers.

4. Dub: Best Modern Open Alternative

Dub is a newer, open-source-friendly shortener with a clean interface, a usable free plan, analytics, and a free custom domain. It is aimed at startups and product teams who want a modern tool. QR support is basic, and the focus is on links rather than codes.

5. Cutt.ly: Best Mid-Range Value

Cutt.ly sits between a basic shortener and a full platform. The free plan includes branded links, a custom domain option, and solid analytics, and paid plans are cheaper than Bitly's. A good middle option if Bitly free is too tight but Bitly paid feels too expensive.

6. TinyURL: Best for Quick, Simple Links

TinyURL is the opposite of a platform. It makes a short link instantly, with no account required, and the link does not expire. It has no analytics, no branded domains, and no QR design. If all you want is to shorten a link once and move on, it is faster than Bitly. For anything you need to track or brand, it is not a real alternative.

7. T.LY: Best Lightweight Pick

T.LY is a fast, low-friction shortener with a free plan, basic analytics, an API, and a browser extension. It is a sensible Bitly alternative for individuals who want something quick and inexpensive without a heavy interface.

Quick Comparison

How to Choose a Bitly Alternative

Pick based on what pushed you away from Bitly in the first place. If it was the free link cap, QRLinkify or Cutt.ly give you more room. If it was paying for a branded domain, Rebrandly, Short.io, and Dub include one free. If you want links and QR codes managed together, QRLinkify is built for exactly that. If you only ever need a quick link, TinyURL is the fastest. Match the tool to your actual reason for switching, not to a feature list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free alternative to Bitly?

Yes, several. QRLinkify, Short.io, Cutt.ly, Dub, and TinyURL all have free plans. Most give you more for free than Bitly does, whether that is a higher link limit, free analytics, or a free custom domain. The right one depends on which limit matters most to you.

What is the main limitation of Bitly free?

The free plan allows only a small number of short links per month and offers basic analytics, and a branded custom domain is not included. Active users hit those limits quickly, which is the most common reason people look for an alternative.

Can I move my existing Bitly links to another shortener?

You cannot transfer the short links themselves, because each one belongs to its shortener's domain. What you can do is export your link list, recreate the active ones on the new tool, and update where you control the placements. Existing printed Bitly links keep working as long as your Bitly account stays open.

Which Bitly alternative is best for QR codes?

QRLinkify, because it treats QR codes as a core feature rather than an add-on. Every short link has a QR code, the codes are dynamic and trackable, and the AI QR generator creates artistic codes. Most other shorteners offer only a plain QR code with little design control.

Are Bitly alternatives safe to use?

The established ones are. Choose a shortener with a clear company behind it, a privacy policy, and a track record. Avoid unknown free shorteners with no visible owner, since those are the ones that can disappear and break your links.

If your reason for leaving Bitly is the free link cap, or wanting QR codes in the same place as your links, start with the QRLinkify URL shortener. To see how the plans compare, the pricing page lays out what each tier includes.