A URL shortener is a tool that reduces the length of lengthy web addresses so that they are more manageable. Custom URLs, UTM parameters, link tracking, and analytics are just some of the additional features provided by the finest URL shorteners.

However, the SEO value of a properly constructed URL isn't the only reason to take advantage of a URL shortener. You're more likely to attract people to click on your links and read your material if the URL is short and easy to remember.

In this top tools list, we discuss the top 20 custom URL Shortener tools.

1. Rebrandly

With Rebrandly, you can create branded short URLs with your own domain, monitor their performance, and share them with everyone. Thus it is good for small businesses.

Key Features:

• They allow up to five unique domains in their free plan.

• You can monitor the success of your links.

• It generates QR codes mechanically.

Cost:

The free plan is available with limited features. Paid plan starts from $29 per month.

2. Bitly

Bitly is a widely used URL shortening service. The Bit.ly domain offers a free service to shorten links. On one platform, you'll find all the tools required to expand your brand's reach, manage your website's links and QR codes, and communicate with customers all over the world.

Key Features:

• It provides complete QR Code answers for your company, brand, and customers.

• Facilitate the collection, organization, and monitoring of your most valuable links.

• Provides customized and easy-to-manage links for your brand.

• Helps in curating customized URL links.

Cost:

Free

Starter: $8/month

Basic: $29/month

Premium: $199/month

Enterprise: Custom

3. BL.INK

BL.INK is a highly effective URL shortener since it allows users to mark their links with keywords instead of random characters. They offer best practices among a wide range of clients who have launched effective enterprise-wide marketing and transactional messaging initiatives.

Key Features:

• Boosts the social impact by giving you more command, leverage, and protection over your analytical data.

• Provides a more significant impression in social interactions.

• It helps in sending links that can be followed and tracked via SMS or other messaging platforms is a safe option.

• Use virtually every communication channel imaginable, from QR codes to PDFs to email to direct mail to the radio.

Cost:

The pricing plan starts from $48 per month.

SMB- $99 per month

Team- $299 per month

Business- $599

4. GOO.GL

You may receive a shortened link quickly with Goo.gl, another URL shortener. If you have a Google account, you can simply go to the app and paste the link you want to shorten into the input field.

Key Features:

• Its tracking and analytics services are accessible by anybody online. Therefore, you should be aware that the information gathered by it.

• Grants you the chance to gain insight from the data collected by the analytics function.

• As soon as you submit the URL to be shortened, the results will appear in a small window at the screen's bottom.

Cost:

Refer to the sales team for the pricing details.

5. Polr

Polr is a fast, cutting-edge, and free-to-use URL shortener. You can take charge of your data and have greater control over your shortened links when you host your own URL shortener.

Key Features:

• Interface for managing links and controlling your instance that is both modern and user-friendly

• Set up shortened URLs, redirects, and such specifically for your needs.

• Use a custom domain name to fine-tune your online identity.

Cost:

It is a free tool to use.

6. Cutt.ly

Among Cuttly's many features include the ability to shorten URLs, and add your own branding to links. It also allows accessing detailed metrics on your shortened traffic. As an added bonus, using Cuttly costs nothing.

Key Features:

• Simplifies the process of managing links and provides insight into the performance of your links through sophisticated analytics.

• Allows you to optimize your links for maximum click-through and improve their performance.

• Support your brand with in-house teams who can shorten, manage, and analyze links.

Cost:

Free plan available

Single monthly- $25 per month

Team monthly- $99 per month

Team enterprise monthly- $149 per month

7. YOURLS

YOURLS is a free service that allows you to create short links with a personalized URL, choose whether or not to share them publicly, and manage who sees what you share.

Key Features:

• Excellent plugin architecture with numerous available plugins to quickly add new functionality

• Handy bookmarklets to easily shorten and share links,

• Awesome metrics like click-by-click detail, visitor geolocation, and referral source analysis.

• Developer API to integrate YOURLS into other applications,

• User-friendly interface.

Cost:

It is free to use URL shortener tool.

8. Sniply

When it comes to calls to action (CTAs) in social media campaigns, Sniply is one of the best URL shorteners available. With Sniply, you can add a call to action to each link you share, allowing you to promote your website or other content with every click.

Key Features:

• Sniply can help you organize your social media so that your followers will act on what you say.

• By putting together content from other sources, you can post a lot more often. It also keeps track of how your audience interacts with the links you post.

• The link management dashboard allows you to see how each custom URL you share is doing.

Cost:

Free version available

Basic Plan: $29 per month

Pro: $ 79 per month

Business: $149 per month

Agency: $199 per month

9. TinyURL

TinyURL is a great URL shortener because it doesn't require users to sign up for an account before they can begin using the service. Still, you can alter the settings for your shortened link.

Key Features:

• Make thousands of connections easily accessible from one location.

• It allows you to create reputable inbound links with your company's name and logo on them.

• Examine in-depth stats on your shortened URLs. Track links by how much traffic originates from various locations or device kinds.

Cost:

Apart from the free version, the paid version starts from $9.99 per month. For Bulk 100K it is $99 per month.

10. Buff.ly

Buffer incorporates Buff.ly into its social media management software. This URL shortening tool allows you to shorten, personalize, as well as track their performance directly within the site.

Key Features:

• It distributes links to your social media networks via Buffer.

• Easily evaluate your social media performance with only a few clicks.

• Track the click of the audience.

Cost:

Free version available

Essential: $5 per month

Team: $10 per month

Agency: $100 per month

11. T2M

T2M makes tracking URLs quite easier. There's a QR code maker included in the system as well. This URL shortener tool ensures a swift redirection to your entire URL by allocating server resources exclusively to a single user.

Key Features:

• The URL management dashboard provides the user with the analysis of the link performance.

• You can create customized brand links instantly.

• It allows you to categorize the links as per the campaigns.

Cost:

Basic plan: $5 per month

Standard: $9.99 per month

Pro: $29.99 per month

Premium: $89.99 per month

12. Ow.ly

When it comes to managing many social media accounts, many people turn to Hootsuite. It is easy to access Ow.ly directly from your Hootsuite dashboard if you are already a user. Your shortened URL statistics will be displayed there as well.

Key Features:

• Hootsuite includes the Ow.ly tool, which allows users to shorten links for sharing on social media and elsewhere.

• The Bit.ly shortener can be used in social media posts if you have a Business or Enterprise plan.

• Ow.ly gives you insights about your website's visitors, including who they are and what they do after they arrive at the link.

Cost:

Free and paid Hootsuite users alike gain access to Ow.ly. You'll need to sign up for Hootsuite to utilize it, but there's no charge for doing so.

13. Droplr

Droplr is a secure URL shortener that you can use if you're seeking one. There's a screenshot tool and a screen recording tool integrated with this URL shortener.

Key Features:

• Copies a link to your clipboard right away so you can transmit it anywhere

• Cloud storage and URL shortening service allow for seamless file uploads.

• Multi-platform and browser-based (Mac, Windows, and Chrome browser) availability.

Cost:

Pro Plus for individuals: $6 per month

For businesses, Team: $7 per month

14. Tinycc

Tinycc is a URL shortening, management, and tracking service tool that provides valuable insights into your online traffic, including the proportion of new vs returning clicks, users' browser and operating system, and geographic location.

Key Features:

• Create shortened URLs with keyword phrases.

• The tool requires that users register an account so that they can access the link history and manage them using filters and categories.

• It has the ability to redirect users based on their preferred language by using smart link targets.

Cost:

Basic Plan: $5 per month

Business plan: $25 per month

Pro plan: $44 per month

15. ClickMeter

When it comes to functionality, ClickMeter is more of an optimizer for click rates than a simple URL shortener. You may easily generate a URL with all the available options.

Key Features:

• Besides geo-targeting, you may also quickly incorporate WordPress and Shopify, two of the most popular content management systems out there.

• Allows you to keep tabs on impressions, engagement, and sales

• With this tool, you can keep an eye on things like blacklists, latency, click fraud, and faulty links.

Cost:

There are three paid options available for ClickMeter, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee:

Medium: $29 per month

Extra-Large - $99/mo

Pricing for the XL size starts at $349/month.

16. Shorte.ST

When compared to the other URL shorteners, Shorte.ST stands out for being one of the few that actually pays you to use their service. By using Shorte.ST to condense a URL, you consent to have an advertisement shown before visitors. It redirects to the full URL upon clicking the condensed version.

Key Features:

• Adds an advertising layer to your links to start making money.

• You may simply monetize site traffic with customizable scripts that are ready for copy and paste.

• Get paid for the content you share on social media.

• Quickly shorten URLs with our simple API and give life to your brilliant ideas.

Cost:

Contact the sales team to get details regarding the price.

17. Is.gd

You may easily access Is.gd to shorten your links by bookmarking the link. If all you need is a shorter link, this is one of the quickest options available.

Key Features:

• Allows you to generate a QR code for use on promotional materials and business cards, expanding the number of potential customers who can see your website.

• Using the preview function, you can instantly see how many people clicked on your link.

• These links will remain active indefinitely because they are static. When made, they remain permanent.

• The links can be modified to better reflect your company's identity.

Cost:

Prices start at $19/month for a single user profile and go up to $499/month for 50 profiles. Benefit from real-time analytics, a branded URL, and more with one of these options.

18. Short.io

Short.io is considered a great choice among the list of top URL shorteners. This URL shortener allows for multiple custom domain support, URL customization, and comprehensive click tracking.

Key Features:

• Each click's metrics can be monitored, including status code, method, referrer, and user agent.

• Get a short URL domain that matches your brand's identity. There is no setup required for DNS.

• It allows you to Integrate with several social media platforms for hands-free URL sharing.

• Make time-sensitive links so that users only see current information.

Cost:

Contact the sales team for accurate details on the pricing.

19. URL Shortener by Zapier

URL Shortener by Zapier can be integrated with many other apps through Zapier, freeing up your time and energy to focus on what really matters.

Key Features:

• Zapier can automate a wide variety of tasks by sharing data among all of your web-based apps.

• It simply follows the rules created by you.

• You can also delay the action step in your Zap till a specific time.

• The data you provide gets converted into the desired format.

Cost:

The free plan is available. The paid plan starts from $19.99 per month.

20. Bit.Do

Bit.Do is a straightforward URL shortener that allows for some personalization, analytics, and QR code generation.

Key Features:

• Get a URL shortening service under your own domain name.

• Allows tracking the flow of visitors to your links in real-time.

• Create a custom short link.

Cost:

Free service available for paid plans contact the sales team.

Things To Consider Before Choosing Top URL Shortener Tools

It is up to you to decide which URL shortener is best for you based on factors such as your budget, the size of your team, and the goal you hope to achieve by employing the service. Is it meant to be shared online? Perhaps internet commercials. What is this about? What's your brand? and many more Indeed, one could go on and on with the list...

Using a free URL shortener is sufficient for the vast majority of users. A paid version is unnecessary if you only plan on utilizing it to share a few links on your own social channels or are running a tiny local business.

However, if your firm is medium-to-large in size or if digital marketing and inbound traffic creation are a concern, you will likely seek out a paid solution at some time.

The Number Of Links To Be Generated

You should not have to pay for your URL shortening services if your monthly link clicks and link creation needs are both under 2,500 and 500 respectively. However, if you want a flood of visitors and are ready to shell out cash to keep tabs on them, then premium plans are the best decision to make. If the company is still in its infancy, with only a solitary marketer on staff? Therefore, until you become famous, you should use a low-cost or even free option.

Operating on an Individual or team level

Some URL shorteners make managing a team easy, while others require several users to share a single account. If you have a staff of 10 digital marketers, advertisers, content managers, and social media managers, you will likely discover only a small number of viable options within the free platform. But if you are using it as an individual, the pricier items are unnecessary.

Conclusion

Having a URL shortener at your disposal is helpful as you can frequently create and share links. Moreover, it will allow you to shorten long, complicated URLs into something more manageable and memorable, while also freeing up valuable real estate in your social media posts.

FAQs

What is the significance of the URL shortener tool?

Shortening your URLs will increase their click-through rates, as audiences are more likely to believe a shorter link (especially if it comes from a trusted source) than a longer one.

Do the shortened links get expired?

It depends on the specific shortened URL provider you're using, but some do. Despite their supposed permanence, several URL shortening services have been found to be fraudulent. In particular, TinyURL guarantees that its reduced URLs will function indefinitely.

How do I spot a suspicious link?

If the link's final destination seems out of place in relation to the remainder of the email, you can assume it's malicious.

What is a URL Checker?

There is a free tool called a URL checker that can identify dangerous websites including those that spread malware, defraud users, or deliver phishing emails. URLs are scanned for malicious software, scams, and phishing attempts by safe link checkers. The use of a website checker is a good way to avoid falling victim to a phishing or scam website.