Best URL Shorteners Shortlist
Below is a list of the top 12 URL shorteners, along with detailed summaries of each tool for your consideration.
- TinyURL - Best for quick access
- Bitly - Best for link management
- Hopp.co - Best for monetization
- BL.INK - Best for large businesses
- Cuttly - Best for small businesses
- Sniply - Best for creating call-to-actions
- Rebrandly - Best for creating custom names
- URL Shortener by Zapier - Best for automation
- Short.io - Best for sending people different links
- T2M - Best for teams who need bulk actions
- T.ly - Best for users looking for a browser extension
- Owly - Best for Hootsuite users
What is a URL Shortener?
In its most basic form, a URL shortener takes long web addresses and turns them into something shorter, helping to make them appear tidier. Some of the more advanced URL shorteners have features for managing links at scale, perfect for businesses of all sizes, influencers, and anyone sending links.
Overview of the 12 Best URL Shorteners
The following brief descriptions of each URL shortener highlight their optimal use cases, best features, and pros and cons. Also, screenshots are provided to offer a glimpse of their user interfaces.
1. TinyURL - Best for quick access
TinyURL gets the job with minimal fuss—just head to their website, plug in your long URL, and get a shortened alternative in seconds.
Why I picked TinyURL: TinyUrl's link shortener is available on its homepage, so busy people waste no time in getting the shortened link back. I loved that it is entirely free at the point of use without forcing cumbersome ads on people. A paid version provides link management features for businesses with bulk linking needs and boosts the API limits.
TinyURL Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include free API access which is why I think this is perfect for businesses with smaller needs, however limits increase with paid tiers so there’s something for all needs. My other favorite feature is the customizable URLs which can be used without spending a penny. If you want to use branded links all you need to do is upgrade to a paid account and you’ll have access.
Integrations are not available on TinyURL. However, API access is provided on each tier, including the free tier.
Pricing: From $12.99/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Quick and straightforward to use
- Offers a free tier with API access
- The pro plan allows for branded domains
Cons:
- Manual setup required through API access
2. Bitly - Best for link management
Bitly is a recognizable brand that's been used for link shortening for years. Its brand recognition and link management features make it a solid choice for businesses.
Why I picked Bitly: I think name recognition is a big deal for URL shorteners, and Bitly is one of the most recognizable on the market. It also has all the features I want to see in a shortener; short links, redirects, and bulk links. Bitly also has offline features where businesses can create unique QR codes linked to their Bitly links.
Bitly Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a link-in-bio feature for influencers and brands using social media. I love data and Bitly offers deep analytics which can report location and device information, allowing teams to use this information in their reporting. At the enterprise level, a dedicated account manager will be on hand to help with any issues.
Integrations include Google Chrome, Firefox, IFTTT, Twilio, WordPress, Salesforce, Hubspot, Sprout Social, Buffer, and Sprinklr. Developers are also able to access Bitly’s API to create custom integrations.
Pricing: From $35/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- URL tracking features
- Personalization to each business
- QR codes for offline use
Cons:
- Redirects can take some time to complete
- No ability to archive old links
3. Hopp.co - Best for monetization
If monetization is the aim of the game, Hopp.co is one URL shortener that should be considered. Built with monetization in mind, Hopp.co can help businesses or individuals make money while shortening their links.
Why I picked Hopp.co: Hopp.co is built with influencers in mind which makes this my top pick for anyone building a social media brand. It's been created to help people better serve their audience while making some money on affiliate commissions. Its use case extends beyond this, with businesses being able to highlight their products in a visually pleasing way.
Hopp.co Standout Features:
Standout features include the ability to build landing pages that will pre-populate with a short link. Hopp.co can collect payments for you and pay out directly and I love how easy this process has been made for busy influencers.
Integrations and API access are not available on Hopp.co
Pricing: No paid tier
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Pre-roll ads to highlight promotions
- Easy to search and navigate links
- Full feature access for free
Cons:
- Must sign up to be able to use basic features
- Must have a Stripe account to be paid out
4. BL.INK - Best for large businesses
BL.INK has been built with large enterprises in mind, capable of carrying bulk actions and keeping branding consistent.
Why I picked BL.INK: I like BL.INK for large businesses that are dealing with a significant number of links. It’s a great solution that can keep up with the growing demand of enterprises. Bl.INK's been built to tackle linking problems at scale. Creating millions of links daily is possible, so even the most extensive demands can be met.
BL.INK Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include branded links, QR codes, and detailed analytics. I’m also a big fan of BL.INK’s link routing based on time, geography, and device.
Integrations are available through paid services like Zapier and Integrated. BL.INK does have API access, so it's possible to create custom integrations.
Pricing: From $48/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros:
- Customize short links to your own brand
- Bulk link shortening
- QR codes and links are generated quickly
Cons:
- Too expensive for small businesses
5. Cuttly - Best for small businesses
Cuttly is an excellent alternative to BL.INK for small businesses that have fewer links to create compared to large enterprises.
Why I picked Cuttly: Cuttly generous free plan makes it one of my picks for this list. The free plan allows for up to 1,000 links a month, which is more than enough for many who need short links. If businesses need more links or access to advanced features, Cuttly's paid tiers offer things like analytics, report generation, and link history.
Cuttly Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include up to 1,000 branded or Cuttly links and limited API access for free. I also really like the editable QR, multiple branded domains, and extended link history features which are offered on paid tiers.
Integrations are available using a paid service like Zapier or Integromat.
Pricing: From $25/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Advanced analytics for deeper insights
Cons:
- Unable to delete past links
- API access is limited on lower tiers
6. Sniply - Best for creating call-to-actions
Links disguised as calls-to-action can lead to a boost in click-through rates. Sniply is a platform that can turn a plain short link into an attractive ad.
Why I picked Sniply: Attracting clicks to your links is what it's all about, that's why I love Sniply's focus on creating custom call-to-actions. Its built-in editor will have you create custom buttons to house your branded short link.
Sniply Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The customizable call-to-action editor means everything remains on brand. A/B testing to track and optimize results which I think is a great feature for sales and marketing teams.
Integrations include ActiveCampaign, Facebook, Mailchimp, LinkedIn, Hubspot, Hootsuite, Buffer, Twitter, Sprout Social, and Salesforce. Developers can also access Sniply's API for custom integrations.
Pricing: From $9/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros:
- Easily customizable call-to-action buttons
- Tracking features for clicks and conversions
- Native integrations with popular social media tools
Cons:
- Customization options could be more expansive
7. Rebrandly - Best for creating custom names
Creating custom domains is an important aspect of creating a unified brand identity. Rebrandly helps teams to keep their short links on brand.
Why I picked Rebrandly: Keeping the brand uniform across social media and the web relies on software like Rebrandly. I’m a big fan of the short links they provide under your own name. One of my other favorite features is that you can create multiple custom names—making it a good choice for agencies working with multiple clients.
Rebrandly Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include up to 10 custom domains for creating short links. I also like that you’re able to expire links when they are no longer necessary. And with plenty of plan options to choose from I’m sure you’ll never overpay for features you don't need.
Integrations include Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Slack, WordPress, Name.com, Dropshare, Wufoo, MeetEdgar, and SocialBee. Custom integrations are possible using the Rebrandly API.
Pricing: From $14/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Guarantees a 99.9% uptime
- Able to modify or delete links
- Create instant short links using browser extensions
Cons:
- Many useful features are locked behind higher tiers
- No native integration for many of the most popular social media apps
8. URL Shortener by Zapier - Best for automation
Creating short links without manually plugging in every long URL saves much time. URL Shortener by Zapier is a free service to automate link creation.
Why I picked URL Shortener by Zapier: Any business that has growing link needs will want solutions to make this process simpler and quicker. I know that automation is a big feature companies want with new software and since Zapier can be integrated with over 5,000 apps, it's the obvious choice. It has a free service for basic automation. More complex automation can be unlocked with a paid tier.
URL Shortener by Zapier Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include using automation to create new short links whenever you create or upload a new document to Google Drive and other tools. Once automation is set up, it'll keep running until turned off. I picked URL Shortener by Zapier because it can free up your team to work on non-routine tasks.
Integrations include Google, Twitter, ClickFunnels, Twilio, Facebook, Pipedrive, Slack, Jotform, Zoom, and over 5,000 more. However, many will be behind a paywall. Zapier is an integration tool, and the URL shortener is built on top of this.
Pricing: From $29.99/750 tasks/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Works with almost any tool you can think of
- Automation possibilities are thorough and wide-ranging
Cons:
- The number of automations is limited per tier and can be expensive as the tiers progress
- Hard to learn how to get the most out of the platform
9. Short.io - Best for sending people different links
Targeting users in different countries often means sending them to other pages for pricing information or the same page in a foreign language.
Why I picked Short.io: Short.io has geo-targeting options which is one of my favorite features for short linking. Depending on who clicks the link, they will be sent to a different page. This helps businesses avoid a high bounce rate and ensure the user is delivered to the most relevant pages.
Short.io Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include its link cloaker, which hides the original long URL in the address bar. Access to special pages can be restricted with password protection. I like that it can natively use Google Sheets to create short links in bulk.
Integrations include Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Slack, AdRoll, Facebook Pixel, Android, Segment, and Google Tag Manager. API access is available on all tier levels to create custom integrations.
Pricing: From $20/month
Free Trial: Free plan available
Pros:
- Links can be customized to suit your needs
- Packed with statistics to learn more about your clicks
- Tidy user interface
Cons:
- Guidance and tutorials could be clearer
10. T2M - Best for teams who need bulk actions
For teams that deal with a large number of short links, they need a service capable of handling bulk links like T2M.
Why I picked T2M: I chose T2M for its dedicated instances that are fully scalable with your business, built on its own dedicated IP address using Amazon EC2 technology. I think these instances will be particularly useful for busy agencies who have a genuine need for millions or even billions of branded URLs and clicks.
T2M Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the ability to delete links you no longer use which I find to be useful for keeping a clean dashboard. You can create dynamic QR codes on paid tiers. Custom domains are included in the price of paid tiers and come with a free SSL certificate.
Integrations can be accessed by using a paid tool like Zapier. The platform also has API access.
Pricing: From $9.99/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros:
- Plenty of detailed analytics like browsers, platforms, and devices.
- Able to expire URLs that aren't needed anymore
Cons:
- Dashboards take some time to get used to
- Support can be slow to respond
11. T.ly - Best for users looking for a browser extension
Using a browser extension like T.ly makes creating short links an almost instant process and makes it easy to pull up your link history.
Why I picked T.ly: T.ly may not be as feature-rich as some of the other options on this list, but I like it for its cost-effective offer that speeds up the creation of short links. For those who need to create links on an ad hoc basis and want to see all the pertinent information directly from their browser, T.ly stands out as a good choice.
T.ly Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include link retargeting using Facebook and Adwords pixels which I know will be important to marketers. T.ly's smart URLs can redirect users to different pages based on factors like geographic location.
Integrations can be created using a third-party paid service like Zapier.
Pricing: From $5/month
Free Trial: Free link shortening is available
Pros:
- API access is available on all tier levels
- A simple tool that doesn't take long to use
Cons:
- Ads on the website
- The feature set is not as comprehensive as other services
12. Owly - Best for Hootsuite users
If you're a Hootsuite user, their built-in Owly service is the quickest way to create short links for social media posts.
Why I picked Owly: Hootsuite is a commonly used social media scheduler that includes its own URL shortener. I chose Owly because it is perfect for those already using Hootsuite as it can save time and money by choosing to use this service instead of using a third-party service.
Owly Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include easy access from within the Hootsuite Composer. View the number of clicks that have come through your links and create branded links directly from within Hootsuite.
Integrations include Bit.ly for those using the higher-paid tiers.
Pricing: From $99/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros:
- Usable directly from Hootsuite
- Plugged into 10 or more social media profiles
Cons:
- Only available for Hootsuite users
Other URL Shortener Options
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best lead capture software list:
- Linkfire - Best for music makers
- ClickMeter - Best for affiliate tracking features
- JotURL - Best for custom link previews
- Tiny.cc - Best for quick onboarding
- OSlash - Best for in-house use
- AppURL - Best for app store redirects
- Jelly URL - Best for URL scheduling
Selection Criteria For URL Shortener Choices
As a marketer with experience in social media and working for companies of all sizes, I've always been on the lookout for the best tools to streamline and optimize my workflow.
Sending someone a long-winded URL is an eyesore, whether through an email, or via web chat with a customer. It's harder to tell if the entire link has been sent, and the longest URLs can take up so much space, the rest of the information may be lost. So I've found the best options for sending short and sweet URLs. But I wanted to make sure my selections came packed with features to make life as a marketer that little bit easier.
Here's a brief overview of the key selection and evaluation criteria I employed while compiling my list of the best CRM enterprise software for this article:
Core Functionality
A URL shortener has a simple job: take something long and unwieldy and turn it into a smaller package. It may seem an unnecessary tool to some, but providing shorter links can improve the flow of marketing messages and improve click-through rates. Depending on your business, it may be a requirement to have access to link management features and link history.
Key Features
To deliver the core functionality I outlined above, here are some features I think are key in a URL shortening tool:
- Analytics and tracking: A URL shortening tool should offer analytics and tracking capabilities to help users monitor the performance of their shortened links, including click-through rates, geographic data, and referral sources.
- Dashboard: An easy-to-use dashboard is essential for managing, organizing, and viewing your shortened URLs. It should provide a clear overview of your links and their performance metrics, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your marketing efforts.
- Customization options for links: A good URL shortener should allow users to create custom, branded links, adding a personal touch to your marketing materials and improving trust with your audience. This feature should enable users to easily modify the slug of the shortened URL, making it more memorable and relevant to the content it represents.
- Retargeting features: Retargeting options within a URL shortener can help users re-engage with their audience by creating custom audiences based on those who have clicked on their shortened links. This feature enables more targeted marketing campaigns and can improve conversion rates.
- URL expiration options: The ability to set an expiration date for a shortened URL can be a valuable feature, particularly for time-sensitive content or promotions. A URL shortener ensures that users are directed to the most relevant and up-to-date information by allowing users to specify an end date for their links.
Value for Money
URL shorteners can be excellent value for money, especially for smaller businesses that can get by with the free services provided by many companies. Companies who need advanced features like bulk actions or branded links can expect to pay around $8, depending on their usage needs. Plans are typically designed to meet the needs of different size businesses and are priced accordingly.
Consumer Recognition
When selecting a URL shortener, it's important to consider its brand reputation and recognition among consumers. People are more likely to click on shortened links from trusted and familiar sources, which can improve click-through rates and overall engagement.
User Experience (UX) Design
The user experience design of a URL shortener plays a significant role in its overall effectiveness. A well-designed UX ensures that the tool is visually appealing, intuitive, and efficient, allowing users to easily navigate and complete tasks. This ultimately contributes to better productivity and a more satisfying user experience.
People Also Ask
Here are some more questions you may have about url shorteners that I have the answers to:
How does a URL shortener work?
Is it safe to shorten a URL?
Does a URL shortener last forever?
Are there any risks associated with URL shorteners?
URL Shorteners Tidy Up Your Link Management
As a digital marketer, I find URL shorteners to be an indispensable tool. They're a straightforward way to streamline my link management, tidying up long, cluttered URLs into concise, shareable links that work wonders for tracking and attribution.
When I need to centralize multiple links, I often turn to Cuttly. Its user-friendly interface lets me present an organized collection of links to my audience. It's especially useful when I'm interacting on social media platforms where linking opportunities can be sparse.
But, when it comes to simplifying individual URLs, I've found Bitly and TinyURL to be among the top contenders. They're incredibly intuitive, offering me a quick way to shorten links while also providing analytics to monitor link performance.
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