Comparison
The Bitly alternative that keeps analytics free
Bitly is the name everyone knows — and the tool most teams outgrow the moment they hit the free link cap or discover click data sits behind an upgrade. Shortly by SwiftLink gives you tracked short links, QR codes, and UTM tagging from day one.
Shortly vs Bitly at a glance
| Feature | Shortly | Bitly |
|---|---|---|
| Links on the free plan | 25 / month | 5 / month |
| Click analytics on free | ||
| QR codes included | Limited on free | |
| Custom branded domain | Business plan | Paid add-on |
| Bulk CSV import | Higher tiers only | |
| REST API | Pro & Business | Paid tiers |
| Team seats | $12 / seat / month | Higher per-seat cost |
| Password-protected links |
Bitly plan details change over time — check their pricing page for the current terms.
Why teams switch from Bitly
Analytics without an upgrade
Every Shortly link records clicks, unique visitors, device, browser, referrer, and country — including on the free plan.
Branded links you own
Connect your own domain on Business and serve short links from go.yourbrand.com instead of a shared shortener domain.
Predictable pricing
No per-feature add-ons. QR customization, UTM builder, password protection, and the API are part of the plan.
Where Bitly still makes sense
Bitly has a long history, enterprise procurement paths, and an established brand — if your organisation already has a contract and needs vendor familiarity, that has real value. Shortly is the better pick when you want full analytics on a small budget, your own domain, and an API you can wire up in an afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Bitly alternative?
Shortly by SwiftLink is a free Bitly alternative that includes click analytics, QR codes, and UTM tagging on the free plan — features Bitly reserves for paid tiers. The free plan covers 25 links per month with no credit card.
Can I move my existing Bitly links to Shortly?
Yes. Export your links from Bitly as CSV and use Shortly's bulk import to recreate up to 500 links at a time, keeping your slugs where they're available. Existing Bitly links keep working; new traffic goes to your Shortly links.
Is Shortly cheaper than Bitly?
For most small teams, yes. Shortly's paid plans start well below Bitly's Basic tier and include analytics, QR customization, and API access without add-on fees. Team seats are billed at $12 per seat per month.
Does Shortly support custom domains like bit.ly does?
Yes. On the Business plan you can connect your own domain — for example go.yourbrand.com — and serve every short link from it. Verification is done with a single DNS record.
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Test it against your Bitly links
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