A free URL shortener turns a long, messy link into a short one that's easier to share, print or track. Simple web tools are fine for one-off links, while branded and self-hosted shorteners suit businesses that want links to keep working for years. Choose one you can trust to stay online, because a shortener that closes takes every link with it.
Short links look tidy in a social bio, fit on a flyer and make it easy to see how many people clicked. For most small businesses, the free version of a shortener does everything they need.
Below are ten free URL shorteners in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from small open-source projects to well-known names. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're tracking campaigns, my UTM campaign naming template keeps your links consistent before you shorten them.
There's one decision to make first: do you want links on the shortener's own domain or on a short domain you own? A branded domain takes a little effort to set up, but it means your links stay yours if you ever change tool.
Free URL shorteners at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free use, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free plans often limit links per month or analytics history.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitly | Link management platform | Short links with click stats | Yes |
| Cuttly | URL shortener and link tools | Short links and simple analytics | Yes |
| Kutt | Open-source URL shortener | Self-hosted or hosted short links | Yes |
| Linkly | Link tracking platform | Click tracking for ads and campaigns | Yes |
| Shlink | Self-hosted URL shortener | Running short links on your own server | Yes |
| Short.io | Branded link shortener | Short links on your own domain | Yes |
| Spoo.me | Open-source link shortener | Quick links with analytics | Yes |
| T.ly | URL shortener | Fast short links with a browser extension | Yes |
| TinyURL | URL shortener | Quick links without an account | Yes |
| YOURLS | Self-hosted URL shortener | Owning your short links completely | Yes |
Ten free URL shorteners to try
Bitly
Best for: Marketers who want short links, QR codes and basic click tracking from a well-known service.
Cuttly
Best for: Small businesses who want short links, link-in-bio pages and simple click stats on a free plan.
Kutt
Best for: People who want a modern open-source shortener they can use online or run on their own domain.
Linkly
Best for: Marketers who want short links with click tracking and retargeting pixels for campaigns.
Shlink
Best for: Developers and agencies who want a self-hosted shortener with an API and detailed visit tracking.
Short.io
Best for: Small businesses who want branded short links on their own domain with a free starter plan.
Spoo.me
Best for: People who want a simple, open-source shortener with click analytics and no clutter.
T.ly
Best for: Busy social media managers who want to shorten links quickly from a browser extension.
TinyURL
Best for: Anyone who wants a quick short link without signing up, with optional custom aliases.
YOURLS
Best for: Website owners who want to run their own shortener on their own domain with plugins and stats.
The shutdown lesson from a giant
Here's why the choice matters more than it looks. Google's own developer blog announced that links made with its URL shortener would stop working, then updated the plan to preserve only actively used links. If one of the biggest companies in the world can retire a shortener, any free service can.
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So for anything printed, or anything you'll want working in five years, use a short domain you own, either through a branded plan or a self-hosted tool. Keep a spreadsheet of every short link and where it points, so you can recreate them quickly if you ever need to move.
What to compare in a free shortener
- Custom domain: can you use your own short domain on the free plan?
- Editable links: can you change where a link points after you've shared it?
- Click data: how long is history kept, and can you export it?
- Limits: how many new links can you make each month?
- Safety: does the service block spam links that could hurt its reputation?
Setting up short links that last
- Buy a short domain that matches your brand.
- Connect it to your shortener with the DNS records it gives you.
- Add UTM tags to the long link before you shorten it.
- Give each link a readable custom ending.
- Log every link in a spreadsheet with its destination and campaign.
Where short links help most
- Print: flyers, business cards and packaging where long links can't fit.
- Podcasts and video: links you have to say out loud.
- Social bios: one tidy link that you can update later.
- Offline events: slides and signs where people type the link in.
If you're tidying up your social profiles at the same time, here's where to find your LinkedIn profile link so you can share a clean version.
Do you make link shortening tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free URL shorteners
Use the free version of a shortener for everyday social posts, but put anything printed on a domain you own. A dead link on a thousand leaflets is a mistake you only make once.
And don't hide every link behind a shortener. People are more likely to click a link when they can see where it goes, so use short links where space is tight, not everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free URL shortener?
It depends on what you need. Quick tools suit one-off links, while branded and self-hosted options suit links you want to keep.
Do shortened links expire?
On most services they don't expire on their own, but a link stops working if the service closes or deletes it.
Can I use my own domain for short links?
Yes. Several shorteners support custom domains, and self-hosted tools always run on your own domain.
Do short links hurt SEO?
Not when they use permanent redirects, but for links on your own site it's better to use the full URL.
Can I track clicks for free?
Most free plans show basic click counts. Detailed history is usually limited.
Can I change a short link after sharing it?
Some services let you edit the destination, which is handy if a page moves.
Are short links safe to click?
Reputable shorteners block known spam, but it's sensible to preview unknown short links before clicking.
Should I use short links in emails?
Usually not. Full links to your own domain look more trustworthy in an inbox.
