Lengthy, messy URLs could make your content material look cluttered and unprofessional. Additionally they eat up valuable character house, which is usually a drawback for channels which have character limits, like social media and SMS.
That is the place URL shorteners are available in. They create a devoted brief hyperlink that redirects to your authentic URL. That reduces the size of your net hyperlinks, serving to you create clear, trackable hyperlinks that look nice anyplace you share them.
However which URL shortener is best for you? It depends upon what your priorities are:
How a lot do you care concerning the simplicity of the instrument?How crucial is complete knowledge?Do you care about branded hyperlinks?What about additional options like personalization?Are you prepared to pay for the precise instrument, or would you like one thing that can get the job finished without cost?
Whether or not you are managing social media content material, operating advertising campaigns, or simply need to tidy up the hyperlinks you share, we’ll allow you to discover the most effective URL shortener to your wants.
The 12 finest URL shorteners for various use circumstances at a look
URL shortener
Finest for
Free plan
Value
Buffer
Shortening hyperlinks for social media
Free plan accessible for buff.ly hyperlinks
Use bit.ly hyperlinks on paid social media plans — beginning at $6/month per social media channel.
Quick.io
Free, branded brief hyperlinks
Free for as much as 5 {custom} domains and 1k whole branded hyperlinks
Paid plans begin at $5/month
Rebrandly
Paid custom-branded brief hyperlinks
Free for as much as 10 branded hyperlinks per thirty days
Begins at $13/month
Replug
Retargeting campaigns
No free plan
Begins at $19/month
Dub
Funnel evaluation
Free plan for 25 hyperlinks/month
Begins at $24/month
Sniply
Including CTAs to hyperlinks
No free plan
Begins at $9/month
Nimble Hyperlinks
Optimization
Free for 10 whole hyperlinks
Begins at $9/month
TinyURL
Sporadic URL shortening
Free plan for 100 hyperlinks/month
Begins at $12.99/month
Zapier’s URL Shortener
Automated hyperlink creation
Out there with free Zapier plan, however cannot use successfully
Use with paid Zapier plans beginning at $29.99/month
Hyperlink Squeeze
E-commerce
Free for 100 whole hyperlinks
Begins at $10/month
SnipIt
Free for Shopify shops
Free
Free
Bitly
Enterprise hyperlink administration
Restricted to 10 hyperlinks/month
Begins at $35/month
1. Buffer
Finest for shortening hyperlinks for social media
Buffer is a social media administration instrument that helps you create, schedule, and analyze your posts throughout a number of social media platforms. It has a built-in hyperlink shortener (even on the free plan!) that robotically shortens all of your lengthy URLs to be brief, candy, and social media-friendly.
Simply add your authentic hyperlink to your submit as you draft it, and Buffer will flip it right into a buff.ly hyperlink — successfully eradicating a step in your posting course of.
When you’ve got a Bitly account, you possibly can join it to Buffer to make use of your {custom} area and get your hyperlink analytics in Bitly.
You can even add UTM parameters robotically to each hyperlink to trace your social media visitors 🤩
To arrange your UTM tag settings in Buffer:
Select the social media channel you need to arrange UTM tags forClick on “Settings”Allow “Marketing campaign Monitoring” below “Google Analytics Marketing campaign Monitoring”Click on “Customise Marketing campaign Monitoring”Set your {custom} UTM parameters
Buffer additionally has a free UTM builder, which you need to use to customise UTMs for particular campaigns to trace in Google Analytics.
Why you may love Buffer:
Hyperlinks are robotically shortened if you draft social media postsTrack clicks and engagement instantly in your Buffer analyticsConnect your Bitly account in the event you choose custom-branded linksAdd UTM parameters robotically
The in need of it: In the event you share plenty of content material on social media, Buffer can streamline your link-shortening course of for each URL you share.
Value: The buff.ly hyperlink shortener is offered on all Buffer plans, together with the free plan. To entry the Bitly integration for custom-branded hyperlinks, paid Buffer plans begin at $6/month per social channel.
2. Quick.io
Finest without cost, branded brief hyperlinks
If you wish to use your individual area for shortened hyperlinks with out spending a dime, Quick.io stands out from the gang. You’ll be able to join as much as 5 {custom} domains on their free plan — good in the event you handle a number of manufacturers or web sites.
You’ll be able to add your individual area or purchase one instantly from Quick.io. Every web site has its personal particular person settings, and you may monitor knowledge individually.
Other than this standout function, Quick.io has all the opposite fundamentals you’d want in a URL-shortening app: a QR code generator, detailed hyperlink statistics, and a UTM builder.
That is plenty of options for a free plan!
The paid plans supply extra superior options value a shout-out: location-based redirects, hyperlink expirations, and deep hyperlinks for cell apps.
Why you may love Quick.io:
Create branded hyperlinks utilizing your individual area nameTrack viewers knowledge individually for every domainQR code generator availableDetailed click on analyticsUTM builder so as to add context to your advertising campaigns
The in need of it: What makes Quick.io particular is the way it handles a number of domains. Every web site can have its personal settings and analytics, making it simple to handle totally different manufacturers from one dashboard.
Value: Free for as much as 5 {custom} domains and 1k whole branded hyperlinks. Paid plans begin at $5/month for extra quantity.
3. Rebrandly
Finest paid instrument for branded brief hyperlinks
Rebrandly has constructed a powerful repute as a {custom} URL shortener for branded hyperlinks. It provides highly effective branding options at a decrease beginning value than many opponents. Past simply utilizing your area, you possibly can customise each facet of your hyperlinks to match your model id.
Rebrandly additionally helps you to enhance the person expertise by redirecting visitors primarily based on guidelines you specify, like location, language, and machine.
One stand-out function is that you could replace the vacation spot URL after a hyperlink has been generated. So if a webpage will get taken down, you possibly can replace the tip hyperlink with out all of your brief URLs breaking.
You can even entry detailed viewers insights, together with person habits and conversion knowledge.
Why you may love Rebrandly:
Intuitive dashboard for managing branded linksExtensive customization choices to your brief URLsChange vacation spot URLsRedirect visitors primarily based on customer attributesDetailed click on monitoring and analytics
The in need of it: Rebrandly stands out for its concentrate on branding, detailed analytics, and your skill to replace vacation spot URLs.
Value: Free plan contains 10 branded hyperlinks per thirty days. Paid plans begin at $13/month for 250 branded hyperlinks.
4. Replug
Finest for retargeting campaigns
Replug takes hyperlink shortening a step additional by serving to you retarget individuals who click on your hyperlinks. This makes it good for entrepreneurs who need to maximize their promoting return on funding (ROI). Everybody who clicks your hyperlinks will get added to your {custom} viewers robotically, letting you present them focused advertisements as they browse different websites and social platforms.
Further options embody {custom} URL slugs, A/B testing, and {custom} CTAs.
Why you may love Replug:
Add retargeting pixels to your shortened linksCreate CTAs to overlay in your vacation spot URLSplit your visitors to check totally different finish URLsTrack click on efficiency, conversions, and customer attributes
The in need of it: Replug’s standout function is how seamlessly it integrates retargeting with hyperlink administration. You’ll be able to construct {custom} audiences from hyperlink clicks and use them in your advert campaigns.
Value: Plans begin at $19/month to trace as much as 10k clicks on limitless hyperlinks.
5. Dub
Finest for funnel evaluation
Dub shines in just a few key areas. For one, Dub’s analytics helps you to monitor clicks, leads, and gross sales to your shortened URLs so you understand how your advertising efforts trickle down the gross sales funnel.
Dub additionally has some fairly useful redirect options primarily based on machine or location. Relying on these elements, you possibly can ship guests to totally different touchdown pages utilizing the identical brief hyperlink. That is useful if, for instance, it’s worthwhile to ship Android customers to the precise app obtain web page or Malaysian customers to the Malaysian model of your web site.
One distinctive function we have not seen on every other platform is the flexibility to create {custom} hyperlink previews. With Dub, you possibly can change your hyperlinks’ title, description, and picture when they’re shared on social media.
Why you may love Dub:
Redirect guests primarily based on machine or locationCreate {custom} hyperlink previewsSet hyperlinks to expireFull-funnel hyperlink analytics
The in need of it: Dub helps you to redirect customers primarily based on machine and placement with the identical brief URL and customise hyperlink previews. Analytics allow you to monitor the impression of brief hyperlinks in your gross sales funnel.
Value: Free plan contains 25 hyperlinks per thirty days. Paid plans begin at $24/month for 1,000 hyperlinks.
6. Sniply
Finest for including CTAs to brief hyperlinks
Sniply helps you to add a {custom} call-to-action (CTA) to any hyperlink you share — even in the event you’re linking to another person’s content material.
That CTA is a small rectangle that will get overlayed on the vacation spot web page. It will possibly comprise a button, type, picture, or textual content. This distinctive function will help drive visitors again to your website, get publication signups, land bookings, and promote your choices whereas sharing invaluable content material from across the net.
Sniply additionally provides primary URL shortening companies options, together with QR codes, UTM tags, detailed analytics, and {custom} domains. Whereas the analytics are much less in-depth than different instruments on this checklist, Sniply tracks conversions from click on to buy so what impression these CTAs are making in your backside line.
Why you may love Sniply:
Add branded CTAs to any webpage you shareChoose from button, type, picture, or textual content CTAsCustomize CTA design to match your brandA/B check totally different CTAsTrack CTA engagement
The in need of it: As an alternative of simply shortening hyperlinks, Sniply helps you flip each shared hyperlink into a possible conversion instrument. It is notably helpful in the event you steadily share content material from different web sites.
Value: No free plan. Paid plans begin at $9/month for 250 brief hyperlinks per thirty days and 5 whole CTAs.
7. Nimble Hyperlinks
Finest for optimization
For entrepreneurs who like to optimize, Nimble Hyperlinks makes it simple to ship website guests to totally different locations along with your brief hyperlinks.
So you possibly can cut up visitors for A/B testing to know which touchdown pages, content material codecs, or provides resonate finest along with your viewers. You’ll be able to customise the tip URL relying on person attributes, like location or language. Or you possibly can select the place they land primarily based on once they click on your hyperlink or what number of guests have clicked your hyperlink.
Why you may love Nimble Hyperlinks:
Cut up-test totally different vacation spot URLsControl visitors distribution between variantsCustomize URL locations primarily based on person attributesSimple user-interface is simple to be taught
The in need of it: The platform excels at A/B testing and personalizing hyperlink locations primarily based on quite a lot of elements.
Value: Free plan solely provides 10 whole hyperlinks with 100 clicks per hyperlink, so it is splendid for testing the service. Paid plans begin at $9/month for limitless hyperlinks.
8. TinyURL
Finest without cost, one-off brief hyperlinks
Generally you simply must shortly shorten a hyperlink with out signing up for an account, needing entry to specialised options, or studying a brand new instrument. That is the place TinyURL turns out to be useful — it is the last word no-fuss choice for infrequent hyperlink shortening.
You’ll be able to create a brief hyperlink in seconds — no want to enroll. These hyperlinks by no means expire, and you may even customise the URL’s slug.
In the event you do create an account, you’ll add {custom} domains and monitor how your hyperlinks are performing within the wild. TinyURL’s analytics aren’t as in-depth as different choices, although.
Why you may love TinyURL:
Create brief hyperlinks immediately with out an accountCustomize hyperlink endingsLinks by no means expireSimple, easy interfaceCreate an account for {custom} domains and hyperlink monitoring
The in need of it: Whereas TinyURL would possibly lack superior options, its simplicity is definitely its energy. It is good if you simply want a fast, clear hyperlink to share.
Value: Free plan for 100 hyperlinks per thirty days. Paid plans with premium options begin at $12.99/month.
9. Zapier’s URL Shortener
Finest for automating brief hyperlink creation
If you end up usually creating brief hyperlinks as a part of any workflow, Zapier’s URL Shortener can prevent time. It helps you to robotically generate brief hyperlinks when particular triggers happen in your different instruments. For instance, you can robotically create a shortened hyperlink everytime you publish a brand new weblog submit.
Why you may love Zapier:
Automate hyperlink creation primarily based on triggersSend brief hyperlinks robotically wherever you wantIntegrate with hundreds of appsReduce handbook work in your workflow
The in need of it: Zapier helps you to robotically create and ship brief hyperlinks primarily based in your workflow, integrating with hundreds of apps.
Value: Out there on all Zapier plans, although paid plans are mandatory for multi-step Zaps, that are important for utilizing your hyperlink as soon as it is shortened. Paid Zapier plans begin at $29.99/month.
10. Hyperlink Squeeze
Finest for e-commerce
Hyperlink Squeeze helps on-line shops perceive how a lot income their shared hyperlinks generate and retarget potential clients throughout all of your channels. This makes figuring out which advertising channels and campaigns drive essentially the most gross sales simple.
You’ll be able to even create checkout, cart, and low cost hyperlinks to streamline buyers’ path-to-purchase. How cool is that?
Why you may love Hyperlink Squeeze:
Join hyperlink clicks to gross sales to determine worthwhile contentAdd retargeting pixels to hyperlinks like Meta, TikTok, and PinterestStreamline shopper expertise with checkout, cart, and low cost hyperlinks
The in need of it: Hyperlink Squeeze is especially invaluable for e-commerce manufacturers that need to join hyperlinks to income.
Value: Free plan for 100 whole brief hyperlinks. Paid plans begin at $10/month for limitless brief hyperlinks + {custom} domains.
11. SnipIt
Finest free URL shortener for Shopify shops
In the event you’re on Shopify however want a free choice, SnipIt will help. It robotically imports all of your retailer pages to make creating and organizing brief hyperlinks to your merchandise and different pages tremendous easy. SnipIt even helps you to create brief URLs for particular product variants.
You’ll be able to create {custom} URLs or join your Bitly or TinyURL account.
Why you may adore it:
Routinely import Shopify pagesCreate brief hyperlinks with one clickEasy set up by way of the Shopify app retailer
The in need of it: SnipIt’s computerized web page import function is a big time saver. No extra manually creating hyperlinks for every product or assortment web page.
Value: Free
12. Bitly
Finest for big companies that want sturdy analytics
Bitly is a family identify for link-shortening companies, however its use case and value are higher suited to enterprise companies with deep pockets that want sturdy hyperlink administration capabilities and detailed analytics.
Bitly helps you to create brief hyperlinks, branded hyperlinks, QR codes, {custom} emblem QR codes, and UTM hyperlinks. You can even add UTM parameters to trace how a lot visitors is coming out of your advertising channels.
Whereas Bitly has an inexpensive plan, the most effective options, together with {custom} domains, are solely accessible on the higher-tier plans.
Why you may love Bitly:
Superior analytics and reportingCustom branded domainsCustom emblem QR code creationAdd UTM parameters to your brief hyperlinks
The in need of it: Bitly’s enterprise options and scalability make it a strong selection for big groups and organizations, although it is perhaps greater than smaller companies want.
Value: Free plan has 10 brief hyperlinks and two QR codes per thirty days. The inexpensive $8 plan has restricted options, supplying you with 100 hyperlinks and 5 QR codes month-to-month. To unlock extra options and a {custom} area, you may must pay for plans beginning at $35/month.
Why use a hyperlink shortener? 5 advantages of a brief URL
Hyperlink shorteners have plenty of advantages. This is why you would possibly need to use one:
1. Quick URLs do not take up valuable content material house
Platforms like X restrict what number of characters you need to use in a submit. And lengthy URLs could make your content material look prolonged even on platforms with out strict limits. Quick hyperlinks allow you to benefit from your house whereas protecting posts succinct.
2. Quick URLs look neater
Lengthy strings of random characters and UTM parameters could make your hyperlink laborious to grasp. Quick hyperlinks look extra skilled and are much less prone to be distracting.
3. Quick URLs seem safer
Lengthy, advanced URLs with plenty of parameters can look suspicious to your viewers. Quick hyperlinks from trusted companies seem extra reputable and usually tend to be clicked.
4. Quick URLs present invaluable analytics
Most URL shorteners embody analytics that allow you to perceive how your hyperlinks carry out. You’ll be able to monitor clicks, analyze visitors sources, and make data-driven selections about your content material technique. That is notably helpful when posting content material that hyperlinks to a different web site or partaking in partnerships with creators or different manufacturers that hyperlink again to you.
5. Quick URLs are extra memorable
Many URL shorteners allow you to customise your hyperlink endings. As an alternative of sharing “instance.com/weblog/post-id-123456”, you need to use one thing memorable like “yourbrand.hyperlink/information”. This makes it simpler for individuals to recollect and share your hyperlinks.
shorten a URL
Creating a brief hyperlink is straightforward. This is learn how to do it in most URL-shortening instruments:
1. Select your URL shortener
You simply discovered about some nice choices for making brief hyperlinks. Choose one which matches your wants. Think about elements like:
Your budgetWhether you want {custom} brandingWhat analytics you need to trackIf you want particular options like A/B testing or personalised redirects
2. Copy-paste your vacation spot URL within the URL shortener
As soon as you have chosen your instrument, copy and paste your lengthy URL into the shortener. Most instruments have a easy subject proper if you log in for this.
3. Customise your brief hyperlink settings
Relying in your chosen instrument, you would possibly be capable of:
Customise the hyperlink endingAdd monitoring parametersSet up particular options like CTAs or retargetingChoose your branded area
4. Run the URL shortener
Click on the button to generate your shortened URL. That is it! Your new, shorter hyperlink is able to share.
A hyperlink shortener has loads of benefits, however it shouldn’t be a time-suck in your content material creation course of. It may be extremely useful if it’s automated and never one other merchandise in your to-do checklist.
For this reason, whereas I’m undoubtedly somewhat biased right here, Buffer has been an enormous time-saver for me as a marketer and creator — it’s merely a case of pasting my desired hyperlink into my social submit creator, and Buffer creates that brief hyperlink with out me having to consider it.
That stated, all the instruments on this checklist have nice options relying in your use case (that’s why we included them!). I hope you’ve discovered one that matches your link-shortening wants. If I’ve missed your favourite instrument, do let me know within the feedback beneath, or @buffer on all social media channels.
