7 Best URL Shorteners of 2026
Ranked by features, price, and real-world value. We compared URLyte, Bitly, Rebrandly, TinyURL, Short.io, Dub.co, and Hootsuite's Ow.ly so you don't have to.
Last updated by the URLyte team
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Free plan | Pro price | Branded links | Analytics | QR codes | Custom domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ URLyte | 25 branded + 10 short links | $5/mo | Free (urlyte.com/you/…) | Free, 90 days | Pro ($5/mo) | |
| Bitly | 5 links/mo | $10/mo (Core, yearly) | Growth plan | Paid (Core: 30 days) | 2/mo on free | Growth ($29/mo yearly) |
| Rebrandly | 10 links/mo | $8/mo yearly ($11 monthly) | Free: 100 clicks/mo | 10/mo on free | 1 on free | |
| Short.io | 1,000 links, 50K clicks/mo | $5/mo (Hobby) | 5 on free | |||
| Dub | 25 links/mo | $27/mo | Free: 30 days | 3 on free | ||
| TinyURL | 30 links/mo | $9/mo yearly ($11 monthly) | Pro | Pro only | Pro (3) | |
| Ow.ly (Hootsuite) | Hootsuite from $99/user/mo | Basic | In Hootsuite |
Prices and limits checked on on each official pricing page: Bitly, Rebrandly, Short.io, Dub, TinyURL, Ow.ly (Hootsuite). TinyURL figures are from a review dated October 2026. Plans change often; check the vendor before you buy.
Full Reviews
URLyte
Best value: branded links without a domain, full analytics, $5/mo Pro
URLyte gives you branded links like urlyte.com/yourbrand/link without buying a domain, click analytics with countries, devices and sources, QR codes and a link-in-bio page on the free plan. Pro at $5/month adds your own domain, full click history and higher limits.
Bitly
The best-known name, with a small free plan
Bitly has strong brand recognition and enterprise integrations. Its free plan allows 5 links and 2 QR codes a month without click data. Core costs $10/month billed yearly (100 links, 30 days of data); a custom domain starts with Growth at $29/month billed yearly. A good fit for large teams with a budget.
Rebrandly
Built around custom domains
Rebrandly is made for links on your own domain, and its free plan includes one. The free plan is small: 10 links a month and engagement data for 100 clicks a month. Essentials is $8/month billed yearly ($11 monthly) for 250 links a month. A good choice if you already own a short domain.
Short.io
Generous free plan, built around your own domains
Short.io has one of the most generous free plans: 1,000 branded links, 50,000 tracked clicks a month and 5 custom domains. Paid plans start at $5/month (Hobby) and $18/month (Pro). It is built around connecting domains you own; URLyte is the simpler choice if you want branded links without a domain, plus a link-in-bio page.
Dub
Developer-friendly and open source
Dub (dub.co) is a well-designed, open-source link platform with a strong API. The free plan allows 25 new links and 1,000 tracked events a month with 30 days of analytics. Pro is $27/month. A good choice for developers and product teams.
TinyURL
The classic, simple shortener
TinyURL is the simplest option: paste a URL, get a short link. The free plan has no analytics and you cannot edit a link after you create it. Pro (from $9/month billed yearly) adds analytics, editing and branded domains. Fine for personal use.
Ow.ly (Hootsuite)
Only inside a paid Hootsuite plan
Ow.ly is not sold on its own: it comes with Hootsuite's social media plans, which start at $99 per user per month billed yearly. Useful only if your team already pays for Hootsuite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best URL shortener in 2026?
For most people and small businesses, URLyte is the best value: branded links without a domain, click analytics, QR codes and a link-in-bio page on the free plan, and Pro at $5/month. Bitly is the best-known name; Short.io and Dub are strong if you want to use domains you own.
Which URL shortener has the best free plan in 2026?
It depends on what you need. Short.io's free plan allows the most links (1,000) and 5 custom domains. URLyte's free plan gives branded links without owning a domain, 90 days of click analytics, QR codes and a link-in-bio page. Bitly's free plan allows 5 links a month without click data.
Do I need a custom domain to use a URL shortener?
Not with URLyte: branded links like urlyte.com/yourbrand/link work without a domain. Rebrandly, Short.io and Dub include custom domains on their free plans, but you must own and connect the domain. On Bitly, a custom domain starts with the Growth plan.
What's the cheapest paid URL shortener in 2026?
URLyte Pro and Short.io Hobby both cost $5/month. Rebrandly Essentials is $8/month billed yearly, TinyURL Pro $9/month billed yearly, Bitly Core $10/month billed yearly (no custom domain), and Dub Pro $27/month. Prices checked on October 26, 2026.
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