A URL shortener can do more than turn a long address into a compact link. Businesses may also need a branded domain, editable destinations, click analytics, QR codes, API access, and team controls. The right option depends on which tools and plan limits your workflow requires.
This guide compares The Shortener, Bitly, Rebrandly, Short.io, and Dub using their published pricing and product documentation. Prices and plan details reflect public provider pages checked October 3, 2026; billing terms, taxes, and regional offers can change.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Good fit for | Published entry plan | Points to compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Shortener | Short links with QR codes, bio pages, and file links | Free; Starter listed at $8.99/month | Free lists 50 links, 2,500 tracked clicks, 10 QR codes monthly, and one branded-domain slot. Custom-domain eligibility and analytics retention depend on account and plan. |
| Bitly | Link and QR management with landing-page tools | Free; Core listed at $10/month with annual billing | Custom domains start on Growth, listed at $29/month annually or $35 month-to-month. Check link and QR quotas, data retention, and team/API requirements. |
| Rebrandly | Branded-domain link management | Free; Essentials listed at $11/month or $8/month with annual billing | Free lists one branded domain, 10 links, and 10 QR codes monthly. Confirm annual billing terms, analytics, API limits, and team controls. |
| Short.io | Multiple custom domains and API workflows | Free; Hobby listed at $5/month | Free lists five domains and 1,000 total branded links; the link limit is not a monthly allowance. Compare click limits and collaboration needs. |
| Dub | Attribution for creators and software teams | Free; Pro listed at $30/month | Free lists three domains, 25 new links and 1,000 tracked events monthly, with 30-day retention. Check event definitions, retention, and team limits. |
Plan quotas are different, so starting prices are not a like-for-like measure of value. Check whether a limit resets monthly or applies to your total link inventory, and confirm the billing interval before comparing costs.
How we compared the services
We reviewed the providers’ public pricing, product, and developer pages on October 3, 2026. This comparison reports vendor-published features and limits. It is not a hands-on performance, security, or uptime test, and we did not assign a numeric score.
Disclosure: The Shortener publishes this comparison and is one of the products reviewed. We have linked to provider sources so readers can verify plan-sensitive details before buying.
- Link management: link creation limits, custom aliases, destination changes, and organization.
- Branded domains: domain availability and plan limits.
- Analytics: tracked clicks or events, report dimensions, and retention.
- QR codes: creation quotas and whether codes can point to editable links.
- API and teams: published API requirements, rate limits, seats, and roles.
The Shortener: links, QR codes, bio pages, and file links
Best suited to: small businesses and marketers who want several sharing tools in one account.
The published Free plan lists 50 short links, 2,500 tracked clicks, and 10 QR codes per month, plus 30-day data retention and one branded-domain slot. Starter is listed at $8.99 per month with 2,000 links, 100,000 tracked clicks, 90-day retention, two branded domains, and 500 QR codes per month. Custom-domain eligibility depends on account and plan, so confirm that your domain is allowed.
The Shortener also lists bio pages and file links. Its QR product page describes dynamic codes, and its developer reference documents link and QR endpoints. Review the URL shortener, branded links, analytics, QR codes, and API reference.
Bitly: links, QR codes, and landing pages
Best suited to: teams already using Bitly’s broader link-management tools.
Bitly lists five links and two QR codes per month on Free. Core is listed at $10 per month with annual billing, 100 links monthly, and 30 days of click and scan data. A custom domain starts on Growth, listed at $29 per month with annual billing or $35 month-to-month. Growth lists 500 links, 10 QR codes, four months of click and scan data, and monthly bulk creation. High-volume API, webhooks, and team permissions are listed with Enterprise.
Compare the domain, volume, retention, and team features on the plan you would actually buy; the Core entry price does not include a custom domain according to Bitly’s plan comparison. See Bitly pricing and API documentation.
Rebrandly: branded domains and links
Best suited to: creators and businesses whose main priority is branded-link management.
Rebrandly lists 10 links, 10 QR codes, and one branded domain on Free. Essentials is listed at $11 per month, with an annual option displayed at $8 per month; the tier lists up to 250 links and QR codes monthly. Higher plans add analytics and collaboration options. Confirm whether an annual price requires upfront payment and which reporting, API, and team controls you need. See pricing and API documentation.
Short.io: custom domains and API access
Best suited to: developers or businesses managing links across several domains.
Short.io lists five custom domains, 1,000 total branded links, and 50,000 tracked clicks per month on Free. Hobby is listed at $5 per month with seven domains, 2,500 total branded links, and 100,000 tracked clicks monthly. The link totals are inventory limits, not monthly creation quotas. Short.io lists API access across plans; Team is listed at $48 per month with unlimited users. Check the link allowance and reporting limits for your expected use. See pricing and API documentation.
Dub: attribution and tracked events
Best suited to: creators and software teams measuring campaign attribution.
Dub lists 25 new links, 1,000 tracked events, one user, three custom domains, and 30-day analytics retention on Free. Pro is listed at $30 per month with 1,000 new links, 50,000 tracked events, one-year retention, and 10 domains. API access and QR codes are listed on Free. Check what Dub counts as a tracked event and whether its limits and retention match your campaign volume. See Dub Links pricing and documentation.
Which URL shortener fits your needs?
- Short links plus QR, bio pages, and file links: compare The Shortener’s account eligibility and monthly limits with your expected use.
- Lowest listed paid starting price with multiple domains: Short.io Hobby is listed at $5/month; check its total link inventory and click limits.
- Branded links as the main job: compare Rebrandly’s domain, analytics, and collaboration limits.
- Attribution and event measurement: compare Dub’s tracked-event definition and retention with your campaign volume.
- Bitly-specific workflows: compare Growth with Core if you need a custom domain, bulk creation, or longer retention.
- Enterprise controls: confirm exact user roles, SSO, audit logs, support, and contract terms with each vendor.
What to test before choosing a plan
Run the same practical check with each service you are considering:
- Connect a domain you control and create a branded link.
- Change the destination and confirm the shared short URL still works.
- Create and scan a QR code on several phones at the size you plan to use.
- Compare click or scan reports with your own analytics, allowing for different event and bot-filtering rules.
- Try an API call or bulk import with realistic data.
- Invite a teammate and verify their permissions.
- Check what happens to links, reports, and domains if you cancel or downgrade.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best URL shortener in 2026?
There is no single best choice for every user. Compare the plan limits you need for domains, link volume, analytics, QR codes, API access, and team size. Short.io has the lowest listed paid starting price in this comparison; Bitly places custom domains on Growth; Rebrandly focuses on branded links; Dub emphasizes attribution; and The Shortener combines links with QR codes, bio pages, and file links.
Which URL shorteners offer domain support on a free plan?
The pricing pages reviewed list domain allowances on Free for The Shortener, Rebrandly, Short.io, and Dub, with different eligibility and limits. Bitly lists custom domains starting on Growth. Confirm that your domain can be connected to the plan you choose.
Can I change a short link after sharing it?
Some services let you change the destination behind a short URL. A static QR code that stores the original destination will not change with it. To keep using a printed QR code after changing a destination, confirm that it points to an editable short link and that editing is included in your plan.
Are click and event counts comparable between providers?
Not necessarily. Providers can define clicks or events and filter bots differently. Use each report for campaign trends, and compare it with your own analytics when making budget decisions.
What should a business check before buying an enterprise plan?
Confirm the exact user roles, SSO and audit-log availability, data retention, support terms, uptime commitments, and contract language for the proposed plan.
Final verdict
Choose the platform whose plan covers your domains, link volume, analytics retention, QR workflow, API needs, and team size. The lowest advertised price may not be the lowest price for your requirements. If The Shortener’s combination of links, QR codes, bio pages, or file links fits your workflow, review the current plans and confirm the included limits.
Pricing and features checked October 3, 2026. Recheck the linked provider pages before purchasing or updating this comparison.