7 best URL shorteners available online in 2025 – Features, pricing, reviews & more
16 minutes
The URL shortener market is expanding and growing rapidly, valued at USD 360.4 million in 2024 and projected to exceed USD 1,020 million by 2033.
The rising demand for personalized user experiences has made URL shorteners a must-have tool for brands, agencies, and content creators. Once seen as a simple link shortening tool, it has now transformed into a full-fledged marketing platform.
And here’s the exciting part. In 2025, link shorteners aren’t just about making complex and lengthy links shorter. They’ve leveled up into powerful tools loaded with features like advanced analytics, retargeting pixels, branded domains, QR codes, and even bio link pages. As a result, they are providing businesses more ways than ever to increase engagement and track performance.
So, which ones are the good URL shorteners that are worth your time (and money)?
We’ve rounded up the top URL shorteners of 2025, complete with features, pricing, and reviews, to help you find the ideal tool to supercharge your links.
What are URL shorteners?
URL shorteners are online tools or services that convert long, complex web addresses into shorter, more manageable links without changing the destination page.
These shortened URLs are easier to share on social media, emails, and other digital platforms where space is limited or readability matters. Popular examples include: Replug, Bitly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly.
Beyond just shortening links, modern URL shorteners often provide additional features such as click tracking, analytics, custom aliases, and branded domains. This allows businesses and individuals to monitor engagement and enhance their marketing strategies.
By simplifying lengthy URLs, these tools improve user experience, link aesthetics, and shareability across platforms.
How does a URL shortener work?
A URL shortener works by creating a unique, compact identifier that redirects users to the original long URL.
When a user inputs a long web address into a shortening service, the system stores that URL in its database and generates a short, unique code, usually a random string of letters and numbers.
This code is appended to the shortener’s domain (e.g., replug.io/abc123). When someone clicks the shortened link, the shortener’s server looks up the corresponding original URL and instantly redirects the user to that destination using an HTTP 301 or 302 redirect response. This process happens in milliseconds.
Advanced URL shorteners also track user interactions, such as click count, location, device type, and time of access, providing valuable insights for analytics and digital marketing optimization.
See Also:How do URL shorteners work: A practical guide for digital marketers
Best URL shorteners at a glance
In recent years, URL-shortening tools have seen significant growth. After detailed research, we have identified the following 7 link shorteners as the best.
This is because they are comprehensive link management tools and offer ideal and optimal solutions in terms of pricing, features, user-friendliness, and customer reviews.
| Tool name | Best for | Premium plan |
| Replug | Complete link management (all-in-one) | $99/month |
| Rebrandly | Branded links & customization | $119/month |
| Bitly | Powerful & detailed analytics | $300/month |
| Dub | Scalability & developer-friendliness | $300/month |
| BL.INK | Data-driven marketing | $599/month |
| TinyURL | Simplicity & reliability | $129/month |
| Short.io | Geo-targeted campaigns & teams | $148/month |
7 Best URL shorteners for marketing professionals [2025]
Choosing the right URL shortener can significantly enhance your marketing efforts by improving link tracking, branding, and audience engagement.
Below, we’ve rounded up the top tools that offer powerful analytics, customization options, and seamless integration to supercharge your campaigns.
Let’s start with Replug.
1. Replug
The first on our list and the most top-notch custom URL shortener is Replug. It is an all-in-one link management tool for agencies and marketing pros with cost-effective pricing.
With this handy and easy link shortener tool, users can shorten branded URLs, do A/B testing, create link previews, set up link expiry, build bio-links, and much more.
Some of the most significant features of this best all-around URL shortener are:
- Hassle-free link management: Easily organize, edit, and monitor all your links from one intuitive dashboard.
- Top-notch white-label solution: Customize links with your own domain and branding for a professional, trustworthy look.
- Advanced link tracking: Get real-time insights into clicks, audience behavior, and campaign performance.
- Smart retargeting pixels: Reconnect with users who’ve interacted with your links to boost conversions.
- Custom call-to-action (CTA): Add personalized messages or buttons to links to drive more engagement.
- Built-in QR code generator: Create shareable QR codes instantly for offline and online campaigns.
- Link rotation feature: Distribute traffic across multiple URLs for A/B testing or marketing experiments.
- Deep linking capabilities: Send users directly to specific pages or app sections for a seamless experience.
- All-in-one bio-link tool: Create a single, branded page that houses all your important links for social media.
Unlike its competitors, Replug also has a dedicated Chrome extension and a user-friendly web app. It also provides additional benefits such as link retargeting, link history, high-end customer support, tracking individual links, bulk link creation, and viewing related analytics on a dashboard.
With Replug.io, you can even track the performance of specific marketing campaigns in particular locations. All in all, it’s the perfect fit for businesses of all sizes and industries.
Pricing plans
- Free: $0/month
- Essentials: $19/month
- Scale: $39/month
- Agency: $99/month
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Advanced analytics for in-depth insights. | ❌ Certain analytics privacy concerns. |
| ✅ Link retargeting options. | |
| ✅ Customizable short links. | |
| ✅ Complete link management solution. | |
| ✅ User-friendly interface. |
Customer Reviews
Also read: How to shorten a link using a URL shortener?
2. Rebrandly
Rebrandly is a state-of-the-art URL-shortening solution with a host of features. With this digital tool, you can craft custom, branded, and concise links that are memorable and easily shareable across various social media platforms.
It is preferred for team collaboration and allows you to set up multiple workspaces and invite team members, making it an excellent choice for team-based URL-shortening needs.
Additionally, it offers advanced features such as link retargeting support, making it a well-rounded and versatile solution.
Pricing plans
- Free: $0/month
- Essentials: $14/month
- Professional: $39/month
- Growth: $119/month
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Focus on link branding and customization. | ❌ It may not have as strong analytics as others. |
| ✅ A1 branded short links. | ❌ Price may be higher for branding features. |
| ✅ Enhances brand visibility. | |
| ✅ Suitable for businesses of various sizes. |
Customer Reviews
Related: 9 best alternatives of Rebrandly for agencies
3. Bitly
Bitly is a widely used tool to shorten URLs, making them more manageable. Alongside URL shortening, it includes a QR code generator, which is commonly preferred by social media influencers and businesses.
While these basic features are available for free, they come with Bitly branding on the shortened links.
For users seeking more advanced capabilities, the paid version of Bitly offers additional features. This includes link retargeting, access to detailed link history, priority customer support, and a user-friendly dashboard to track and analyze link performance easily.
Pricing plans
- Free: $0/month
- Core: Annual plan only
- Growth: $35/month
- Premium: $300/month
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Enhanced shareability for enterprise businesses. | ❌ Does not offer as many advanced features as some competitors. |
| ✅ Detailed link analytics. | ❌ Limited customization options. |
| ✅ Flexibility and redirection control. |
Customer Reviews
4. Dub
Dub is an open-source modern URL shortener built for flexibility, speed, and scalability. It’s especially popular among startups, developers, and businesses that want more control over their link management.
With Dub, you can shorten branded links, track analytics in real time, and much more.
Pricing plans
- Pro: $30/month
- Business: $90/month
- Advanced: $300/month
- Enterprise: Custom
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Advanced feature set. | ❌ Technical setup required for advanced use. |
| ✅ Custom domains to brand your links for higher trust. | ❌ No free plan for users. |
5. BL.INK
BL.INK is an all-in-one platform that manages links, tracks them, and gauges their performance exceptionally. It shows how links perform, either through reports or by collaborating with tools like Google and Adobe.
Plus, it effortlessly combines with other systems using its open API. It is suitable for businesses of all sizes, ensuring security with top-notch features and customizable user access.
Pricing plans
- Expert+: $48/month
- SMB: $99/month
- Team: $299/month
- Business: $599/month
- Enterprise: Custom
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Feature-rich URL-shortening tool. | ❌ A bit costly, compared to competitors. |
| ✅ Pretty easy to use. | ❌ It can be a bit buggy at times. |
| ✅ Suitable for data-driven marketing. |
Customer Reviews
6. TinyURL
TinyURL is one of the oldest and most reliable URL shorteners, trusted for its simplicity and ease of use. While initially just a quick way to shorten long links, it now offers branded domains, link tracking, and link expiry, making it a solid option for personal and small business use. It is one of the best tools for getting free, fast, and anonymous short URLs.
Pricing plans
- Free: $0.00/month
- Pro: $12.99/month
- Bulk 100K: $129.00/month
- Enterprise: Custom
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Very beginner-friendly. | ❌ Website is a bit outdated. |
| ✅ Detailed tracking and analytics. | ❌ Limited feature set in comparison to others. |
7. Short.io
Short.io is a full-featured, best URL shortener free tool designed for businesses and marketing teams. It allows branded short links, advanced analytics, and team collaboration, along with geo-targeting and device-based redirects, making it perfect for global campaigns.
Pricing plans
- Free: $0/month
- Hobby: $5/month
- Pro: $18/month
- Team: $48/month
- Enterprise: $148/month
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Excellent geo-targeting options. | ❌ Dependence on third-party services. |
| ✅ Strong team collaboration features. | ❌ Lack of transparency. |
What is the best URL shortener service in 2025?
The best URL shortening service is Replug, an all-rounder link management tool for shortening URLs, adding pixels for retargeting, embedding call-to-action, and building bio-links for social media.
With white-label options, highly affordable pricing, and other rich features, Replug is the best platform for brand marketing and promotion using shortened, branded URLs.
It stands out not only for its versatility but also for its focus on helping marketers build stronger connections through every shared link. Moreover, its intuitive dashboard, in-depth analytics, and automation features empower businesses to track performance, boost engagement, and maximize ROI effortlessly.
In short, Replug is more than just a URL shortener. It’s a complete link management powerhouse designed to elevate brand visibility and marketing efficiency.
Other link shorteners available on the web
We’ve highlighted some of the top and widely used URL shorteners above. However, if you’re seeking alternative options, consider the following ones listed below:
Here’s the list:
| Sr. | Other link shortener alternatives |
| 1. | Sniply |
| 2. | Hopp.co |
| 3. | Cuttly |
| 4. | Capsulink |
| 5. | ClickMeter |
| 6. | Joturl |
| 7. | T2M |
| 8. | Linkly |
| 9. | ow.ly |
| 10. | Polr |
| 11. | RocketLink |
| 12. | Tiny.cc |
| 13. | YOURLS |
| 14. | URL shortener by Zapier |
| 15. | Linkish |
Major reasons to use a URL shortener tool
Using a URL shortener offers numerous advantages across different areas, making it a valuable asset for anyone.
Here’s why it’s the ultimate advantage for your specific needs.
- Tracks the number of impressions, clicks & conversions.
- Condenses complex URLs into more recognizable ones, thus improving web traffic, CTR, and conversion rates.
- Offers custom short links, boosts brand promotion, and enhances brand reach.
- Short branded URLs generated by this tool take up less character space, making them ideal for SMS & social bios.
- Branded links produced are easier to share and remember, which means enhanced brand recalls.
- Improves user experience through smooth navigation.
- Enrich SEO efforts by optimizing messy, long URLs with branded keywords.
- Provides data in the form of reports, helping content creators and businesses make informed decisions.
- Aids in rotating links to preferred link destinations on a specific date, time, or location.
- Feature-rich URL shorteners provide multiple options for utilizing a short link. Create personalized bio landing pages, generate QR codes of any shortened link, A/B test performance of multiple URLs, etc.
Read Also: Benefits of URL shorteners: Top reasons why one must use these tools
Points to keep in mind when choosing a URL shortener
Picking the right URL shortener can be tough with so many options out there, each with its own perks. To make the best choice, it’s important to consider the following points when checking out URL shorteners.
1. User-friendly
One of the primary considerations when selecting a URL shortener is its user interface. A streamlined interface that simplifies shortening links enhances the overall user experience.
The interface design and functionality should prioritize ease of use, allowing users to generate shortened URLs quickly and effortlessly.
However, the integrations with other tools and platforms you’re already using, along with compatibility across devices and browsers, further add to its usability.
2. Cost efficiency
Pricing is also a key factor when picking a URL shortener tool. Be sure to evaluate the cost of each service and consider what features are most important to you when making your decision.
While free options are fascinating, they might come with constraints that limit their utility. This makes premium versions with additional features more appealing for businesses or advanced users.
Also read: Top 5 paid URL shorteners worth paying for in 2025!
3. Customization options
Customization or personalized options are essential because they allow you to tailor your shortened URLs to your liking. Keep in mind that adding branded domains or specific keywords to your links reinforces brand identity.
However, this can be particularly useful if you’re using them for branding, specific campaigns, or content categories, as it allows you to make your links more recognizable and memorable.
4. Link analytics
Link analytics is a critical feature when deciding on a URL shortener. The ability to track clicks, conversions, and other key metrics can help you understand the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions about your marketing efforts.
5. Security
Privacy and security are vital points that play a significant role when choosing a URL shortener. A reliable URL shortener should prioritize link safety and protection against malicious activities.
Encryption, expiration features, and measures to prevent link manipulation ensure the integrity and safety of shared links.
Moreover, privacy considerations, such as the handling of user data and adherence to data protection regulations, are essential for individuals and businesses concerned about confidentiality.
Conclusion
In this blog, we covered some of the best URL shorteners for 2025, including tools like Bitly, Rebrandly, and TinyURL. While each has its strengths, if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution with advanced analytics, retargeting, customizable bio links, branded domains, and team collaboration, Replug stands out as the top choice.
If you want a link shortener that goes beyond shortening and actually helps you boost traffic, track performance, and grow your business, Replug is the tool to bet on in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a URL shortener for my links?
URL shorteners make lengthy URLs more concise and visually appealing. These links are easier to share, track, and manage across various platforms, especially in limited-character settings like social media posts.
Are URL shorteners safe to use for sharing links?
Most URL shorteners include security measures to protect links from malicious activities. They often use encryption and other security protocols to ensure the safety and integrity of shared links.
How can I measure the performance of shortened links?
URL shorteners typically provide analytics tools that track click-through rates, user engagement, geographic data, and conversion rates to assess the effectiveness of shortened links.
Can I customize shortened URLs to match my brand?
Yes, many URL shorteners allow customization, enabling users to create branded and memorable short links by using custom domains or adding specific keywords.
What are the best URL shorteners to make money online?
The top URL shorteners for earning money online in 2025 are:
– ShrinkMe.io, offering up to $22 per 1,000 views with instant PayPal payouts and global reach,
– Linkvertise, for its ad-based monetization allowing earnings per click without minimum thresholds, and
– Shrinkearn, which provides the highest CPM rates for publishers and quick payments via multiple methods.
These platforms reward users for shortened link traffic, making them ideal for affiliate marketers and content creators.
What are the best URL shorteners for Facebook?
For Facebook, the best URL shorteners include:
– Replug for its seamless integration, detailed analytics on shares and clicks, and branded links that boost engagement.
– Rebrandly for custom domains that align with your brand and avoid platform restrictions, and
– PicSee, optimized for enhancing link previews and performance on Facebook feeds and groups.
These tools ensure links aren’t flagged as spam while providing tracking for social campaigns.
Which ones are the best URL shorteners for Instagram?
The leading URL shorteners for Instagram in 2025 are:
– Replug, with built-in bio link tools for creating shoppable profiles and retargeting pixels for ads,
– Bitly for precise tracking of story swipes and post clicks with custom branding, and
– Short.io, offering dynamic routing to direct users based on location or device for personalized experiences.
They enhance visibility in bios, stories, and reels without violating Instagram’s guidelines.
What is the safest link shortener available at present?
As of 2025, Replug.io stands out as the safest URL shortener, featuring enterprise-grade security with SSL encryption, GDPR/CCPA compliance, and real-time threat detection to block malicious redirects.
It also includes two-factor authentication and data privacy controls, making it reliable for businesses handling sensitive links. For ultimate control, self-hosted options like “Shlink” offer privacy through custom domains and no third-party data sharing.
What makes the best URL shortener?
The best URL shortener excels with advanced analytics for tracking engagement and conversions, custom domain support for branding and trust-building, and seamless integrations with tools like Zapier or Hootsuite.
It should also prioritize security features like encryption and threat protection, high uptime for reliability, and additional perks such as QR codes or retargeting to maximize marketing impact.
