Almost every link-shortening service has a free tier, but it’s usually very limited. Ten to twenty links a month quickly proves insufficient.
When evaluating services, focus on practical usability, not just whether a free plan exists. Can the service handle basic tasks without payment?
Are the limits reasonable for regular use?
Does it provide analytics to track traffic?
And, most importantly, does the platform push you to upgrade because of their artificial caps?
With that in mind, we researched extensively to pick the best free URL shorteners. Here are the criteria we used:
- Generosity of free tier. Monthly link limits, link retention, and feature access included without payment.
- Practical usability. Ease of creating, editing, and managing links from the dashboard or API.
- Analytics. Availability and clarity of traffic reports (clicks, referrers, geolocation, time series).
- Custom domains & branding. Support for linking a custom domain, branded links, and basic link preview control.
- Link reliability & uptime. Proven delivery performance and minimal downtime.
- Rate limits & API access. Whether the API is usable on the free plan and how restrictive request limits are.
- Privacy & data handling. Basic privacy options (no tracking, anonymized stats) and clear data retention policies.
- Spam & abuse protection. Measures to prevent misuse and malicious redirects.
- Integrations & extensions. Browser extensions, official plugins, Zapier/IFTTT support, or SDKs.
- Ease of migration/export. Ability to bulk export links and analytics for switching services.
1. Cut0
Cut0’s free plan allows up to 120 short links per month, well above the typical 10–30 other services offer.
That level covers real-world use: run multiple campaigns, test variations, and use different channels without constantly watching limits.
Essential link analytics are included.
Upgrades are meant for growing needs and not because the free tier is intentionally restrictive.
Sign up now to get up to 120 free short links & QR codes per month, every month!
2. Bitly
Bitly’s free plan in 2026 is extremely limited – to 5 free links per month.
Basic features are included (shortening, simple analytics, unlimited clicks), but that volume isn’t nearly enough for everyday use.
The first paid tier (~$10/month) raises the link limit to 100 links per month but still offers limited analytics and no full branding. Custom domains and advanced features require higher-priced plans.
3. TinyURL
The free version lets you shorten links without signing up, set a custom alias, and create links that never expire.
However, analytics aren’t available, so you won’t get any data on clicks or user behavior. This is a deal-breaker for most businesses as well as many individuals.
4. Rebrandly
Rebrandly’s free plan provides 10 measly links per month and includes the following features: a custom domain, link editing, and basic analytics.
You can test branded links and access basic analytics for free.
5. Short.io
Short.io offers up to 1,000 links per account, custom domain support, and fairly detailed analytics (clicks, geography, devices). This limit, however, is not refreshed.
Once you create 1,000 links, you can no longer create new ones without upgrading to a paid plan. This makes Short.io a good option for projects with a fixed volume.
6. Cuttly
Cuttly’s free plan allows you to create 30 links per month.
Basic analytics (clicks, 30-day statistics), one branded domain, and even custom aliases are available, but with very strict limits (for example, only three custom slugs per month). Cut0, by contrast, provides unlimited custom slugs on the free tier, making it far more flexible for real campaigns and branding.
7. y.hn
y.hn offers up to 50 links per month for free, as well as basic click analytics. Registration is not required for quick link shortening.
Advanced features (such as more detailed analytics and management) are only available with a paid plan.
8. BL.INK
BL.INK doesn’t offer a full free plan. Instead, it offers only a 21-day trial, after which you need to upgrade to a paid plan, starting at $48/month.
The trial allows you to create up to 1,000 links and test its advanced analytics features.
9. is.gd
is.gd has no limits on link creation. Its main advantage is speed and a low entry threshold: paste a link & get a shortened link right there, right now.
The key limitation, however, is the lack of comprehensive analytics and link management tools. You can’t see user behavior, manage links in one place, or scale usage.
10. Dub
Dub offers a free plan with the ability to create short links and track basic analytics. The free version has a limited number of links (25 per month) and only basic metrics (clicks, sources).
Many features (advanced analytics, teams, and more flexible management) are only available in paid plans.
Free URL shortener comparison chart (2026)
| Service | Free limit | Analytics | Features of the free plan | Logic for upgrading to a paid plan |
| Cut0 | 120/month | Yes | Full usage, suitable for regular use | Upgrade as needs grow, not due to limits |
| Bitly | 5/month | Yes | Very limited, suitable only for testing | Upgrade almost immediately |
| TinyURL | Unlimited | No | Simple link shortening without an account | Upgrade required for analytics |
| Rebrandly | 10/month | Yes | Includes branding (domain, editing) | Quickly hits the limit |
| Short.io | 1 000 total | Yes | Large but finite limit | Upgrade after reaching the limit |
| Cuttly | 30/month | Yes | More features, but limited usage | Upgrade needed for regular use |
| y.hn | 50/month | Yes | Above-average limits, easy to start | Limitations become noticeable as usage grows |
| BL.INK | No (trial) | Yes | 21-day trial only | Paid from the start |
| is.gd | No limits | No | Extremely simple tool | Not suitable for scaling |
| Dub | 25/month | Yes | Modern interface, basic metrics | Upgrade required with active use |
Cut0 is the only service here with a genuinely generous, non-restrictive free plan. Its 120 monthly links, persistent URLs with custom slugs, access to full analytics, and usable dashboard let you run real campaigns, test variations, and manage multiple channels without constant upgrades.
Other providers’ free tiers impose tight caps or withhold key features, forcing paid upgrades long before they meet practical needs. Cut0 stands out as the exception.
Cut0’s approach is rooted in a user-first philosophy: give people the tools they need to experiment and grow before asking for payment. A free tier that supports real work (multiple campaigns, A/B tests, and diverse channels) signals trust in users and confidence that value will naturally lead some to upgrade. This reduces friction for startups, marketers, and small teams who need reliable tools without being forced into a paid plan the moment they start using them.
That philosophy also reflects a long-term product mindset. By prioritizing usefulness over aggressive gating, Cut0 builds loyalty and earns feedback that drives product improvement.
Users who start on a generous free plan are more likely to stick around, recommend the service, and eventually convert when they scale, so making the free tier genuinely usable benefits both customers and the company.
Finally, Cut0’s model challenges the industry norm of artificial scarcity. Instead of leveraging tight caps to drive quick conversions, it treats the free plan as a legitimate entry point for serious partnerships. That creates a healthier ecosystem where tools are judged on real performance and value, not on how effectively they push users to upgrade.
Ready to transform your link sharing? Discover the power of Cut0!
With Cut0, you can improve every step of your marketing funnel.
From attracting potential customers with clean, engaging links to nurturing leads with insightful analytics, our platform empowers you to optimize your strategies at every stage.
Monitor link performance, understand user behavior, and refine your campaigns to drive higher engagement resulting in conversions and sales.
So, are you ready to supercharge your marketing strategy with Cut0? Sign up for your free trial today!