Comparison
Free Google URL shortener alternative
Google's goo.gl shortener stopped accepting new links in 2019 and stopped redirecting old ones in 2025. If you landed here looking for a free Google URL shortener, this is the replacement: one field, an instant short link, and the analytics Google never gave you.
Shortly vs goo.gl
| Feature | Shortly | Google (goo.gl) |
|---|---|---|
| Still working in 2026 | ||
| Free plan | Discontinued | |
| Shorten without an account | ||
| Click analytics (country, device, referrer) | Was basic | |
| QR code for every link | Was basic | |
| Custom slug (vanity link) | ||
| Your own branded domain | Business plan | |
| REST API | Pro & Business | Shut down |
Moving off goo.gl in three steps
- 1. Recreate your links. Export your destination URLs to a CSV and use bulk import to rebuild up to 500 short links in one pass, keeping the slugs you used before.
- 2. Point them at your own domain. On the Business plan you can verify a custom domain, so every link reads
go.yourbrand.com/springinstead of a generic host. - 3. Turn on tracking. Every link records clicks, unique visitors, country, device, and referrer — see the link click tracker.
Other shorteners people compare
- Shortly vs Bitly — link limits, analytics, and pricing.
- Shortly vs TinyURL — the classic no-account shortener.
- Free link shortener — what you get without paying anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google's URL shortener still free?
No. Google retired goo.gl for new links in 2019 and stopped serving existing goo.gl redirects in 2025, so there is no free Google URL shortener any more. Shortly by SwiftLink is a free replacement: shorten a link with no account, or create a free account for click tracking and QR codes.
What replaced goo.gl?
Google pointed users to Firebase Dynamic Links, which was itself shut down. Most people moved to a standalone shortener. Shortly gives you the same one-field experience plus analytics, QR codes, link expiration, and an API.
Can I migrate my old goo.gl links?
Old goo.gl links no longer redirect, so they cannot be forwarded automatically. If you still have the destination URLs in a spreadsheet, use the bulk CSV import in Shortly to recreate up to 500 links at once and keep your slugs.
Is there a free Google URL shortener alternative with analytics?
Yes. The Shortly free plan includes tracked links with clicks by country, device, and referrer — the reporting goo.gl never offered — and QR codes on every link.
Replace goo.gl right now
Paste a long URL and get a working short link instantly. Create a free account to track clicks.