A straight comparison of three free URL shorteners - what you get, what you lose, and where the paywalls start.
Try ToolBit Free →| Feature | ToolBit | Bitly | TinyURL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free short links | 5 permanent | 10/month then paid | Unlimited (no login) |
| Click analytics | Yes - free | Basic (paid for more) | No |
| Device breakdown | Yes - desktop/mobile/tablet | Paid plans only | No |
| 30-day trend chart | Yes - free | Paid plans only | No |
| Custom alias | Pro plan ($1/mo) | Paid plans only | Yes - free |
| Links expire | Never | Free links can expire | Never |
| Redirect page | None - direct redirect | None | Preview page on free |
| Other tools included | QR codes, uptime, cron, RSS | Link management only | Link shortening only |
| Free plan price | $0 forever | $0 (very limited) | $0 |
| Paid plan from | $1/mo (Pro) | $8/mo (Core) | $9.99/mo (Pro) |
Bitly hides most analytics behind a $8/mo paywall. ToolBit gives you click counts, device breakdown, and a 30-day trend chart on the free plan.
Bitly's free plan limits you to 10 new links per month and has been known to expire older free links. ToolBit's 5 free links are permanent.
TinyURL shows a preview page before redirecting on the free plan. ToolBit sends visitors straight to the destination - no friction.
ToolBit also includes QR code generation, uptime monitoring, cron jobs, and RSS email digests at no extra cost. No need to manage five different accounts.
Bitly has a free tier that allows up to 10 new short links per month, basic click totals, and no custom domains. Analytics, branded links, and higher volume all require a paid Core plan starting at $8/mo.
TinyURL Pro ($9.99/mo) adds analytics, but the free plan provides no click tracking whatsoever. If analytics matter to you, ToolBit is a better free choice.
ToolBit is purpose-built for developers and small teams. It combines URL shortening with uptime monitoring, cron jobs, and API proxying - all in one dashboard. You won't need a separate Bitly account just for links.
Not yet - all ToolBit short links use toolbit.online/s/. Custom domain support is on the roadmap. If a custom domain is critical today, Bitly's paid plan supports it.
ToolBit links are never deleted if you downgrade. You keep your existing links and their analytics. You just can't create new ones above the free tier limit.
5 permanent links, full click analytics, and 7 other tools - no credit card needed.
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