Bitly pricing has gotten out of hand. Here are the best free alternatives for 2026.
Why People Are Leaving Bitly
Bitly used to be the go-to URL shortener. Then they changed their pricing:
- Free tier: 10 links/month, no analytics
- Core plan: $35/month for basic features
- Growth plan: $300/month for teams
For most users, that is absurd. Let us look at better options.
The Best Free Alternatives
1. knu.day (Best Overall)
Price: Free, forever
knu.day is what Bitly should be. Everything is free:
| Feature | knu.day | Bitly Free | Bitly $35/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short links | Unlimited | 10/month | Unlimited |
| Custom aliases | Yes | No | Yes |
| Click analytics | Full | None | Basic |
| QR codes | Yes | No | Yes |
| A/B testing | Yes | No | No |
| API access | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Verdict: If you want Bitly features without the price tag, this is it.
2. TinyURL
Price: Free (paid plans available)
The OG URL shortener. Simple and reliable, but:
- Limited analytics on free tier
- No A/B testing
- Basic QR codes only on paid
Best for: Quick, no-frills shortening
3. Rebrandly
Price: Free tier, paid from $13/mo
Focused on branded links. Good for:
- Custom domains
- Team collaboration
Downsides: Free tier is very limited (25 links)
4. Short.io
Price: Free tier, paid from $20/mo
Good analytics and custom domains, but:
- 1,000 links on free tier
- Limited tracked clicks
5. Dub.co
Price: Free tier, paid from $24/mo
Modern interface, good for:
- Developers (great API)
- Teams
Downsides: Free tier has 25 links/month limit
My Recommendation
If you just need a URL shortener that works:
- Personal/Small projects: knu.day - unlimited everything, free
- Enterprise/Teams: Dub.co or Rebrandly - better team features
- Custom domain required: Short.io or Rebrandly
The Bottom Line
Do not pay $35/month for URL shortening. The free alternatives are just as good, sometimes better.
I have been using knu.day for all my projects. Give it a try and see the difference.
What URL shortener do you use? Let me know in the comments!
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