Productivity Tools

6 Best Free URL Shorteners in 2022

If you’re looking to learn how to shorten links, you need to use a link shortener. Shortened links are easier to use and share, making them more appealing to clients. Additionally, many of the best URL shorteners include features such as enhanced security and custom branding to make small links safe to use and attractive to marketers and customers alike. As such, a link shortener is an important tool for sales teams, customer service agents, small businesses, and others who are looking to attract customers or service clients safely and efficiently. Many online services also provide a free URL shortener so that you can shortens links free of charge.

However, with so many free link shorteners available, it can be difficult to decide which best fits your needs. That’s why we at Droplr have compiled a list of the Best Free URL Shorteners. Read on to compare six free link shorteners and determine which one is the best for you. You can start to make free shortened links today!

Picking the Best Free URL Shortener

TinyURL

make a tinyURL

As the first free URL shortener to gain traction, TinyURL is one of the best known websites where you can shorten URLs for free. To use TinyURL, simply input a URL in the box on the front page and click on the button as shown in the above video. This short URL generator also includes free link preview, where users can preview links before clicking to avoid a bad redirect. Finally, TinyURL includes a toolbar button that you can attach to most web browsers. 

Tiny.cc

Tiny.cc homepage showing the free link shortener

Like TinyURL, Tiny.cc is a quick and easy free URL shortener. On Tiny.cc, you can post a long URL into the box on the front page, add an optional custom link ending, and click the button to shorten links for free. With a free account, you can view your created short URLs alongside traffic statistics or edit or delete your links. A small link can also be turned into a QR code or exported into an Excel document or printout version. 

Bitly

bitly homepage reading "create click-worthy links"

Bitly is well-known as one of the best URL shorteners for businesses to create and monitor custom short links. But did you know that there’s a free Bitly link generator too? Bitly’s free link shortener includes link tags that allow users to sort their links as well as simple analytics that track the total number of clicks, top referrers, and the location of clickers.

To access these great features, create a free Bitly account that can be connected to your email, Google account, or company SSO account. Then, you can use Bitly link generator for free!

Rebrandly

rebrandly logo

Like Bitly, Rebrandly’s short URL generator is primarily known for its paid plans and custom URLs. Also like Bitly, it includes a free link shortener with several outstanding features. Rebrandly’s free short URL generator offers an unlimited number of short URL links, 500 branded URLs, 5 custom domain names, and tracking for up to 5,000 clicks per month. You can create a free account using Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google, or business email. 

YOURLS

about yourls web page

YOURLS stands for Your Own URL Shortener. It is a free, open-source set of PHP scripts that lets you create and run your own short URL generator. Using YOURLS’ open-source free URL shortener, you can add your own link management services without paying a third-party. You also own your own data.

The installation process is fairly simple, though you need coding experience to design and implement your free link shortener. Still, YOURLS is the best free URL shortener for anyone with programming experience who wants to customize and own their short URL links. 

firebase dynamic links homepage reading "deep link potential users to the right place inside your app"

Firebase Dynamic Links is the new replacement for Google URL Shortener, though with very different features. It is specifically focused on promoting mobile apps; their smart small links are meant to transition users from desktop and mobile web users to a company’s mobile app. After installing the app, the short URL link will direct them to the same page that they were viewing in-browser.

Firebase’s free link shortener includes a number of features such as analytics, app indexing, 1 GiB of stored data in the cloud, cloud messaging, and unlimited dynamic links. If you go over storage limits, however, you will begin paying as you go.

For more information on the switch to Firebase Dynamic Links, check out the Google Developers Blog. If you shortened a link with Google in the past, it will continue to redirect to the correct location. However, nobody can create new goo.gl tiny URLs.

Discover the Best URL Shortener

Unfortunately, a free URL shortener does not include the same services as a paid short URL generator, such as custom branding and detailed analytics. If you need more control over your short URL links but don’t want to break the bank, then check out our article on the 5 Best URL Shorteners for short URL generators for businesses. Enterprise customers should look over our article on Picking the Best URL Shortener for Enterprises.

If you want to learn how to shorten links for free, check out How to Create a TinyURL. You can start to shorten links today!


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