A URL shortener is a software that takes a protracted net deal with (URL) and turns it right into a a lot shorter one.
ULR shorteners make messy hyperlinks look extra polished, which is very useful on social media or in advertising and marketing supplies, the place area could be restricted and presentation issues.
Lots of them additionally provide monitoring options. This implies they will inform you issues like how many individuals clicked in your hyperlink, the place the clicks got here from, and even what time they occurred.
On this weblog, we’re sharing every little thing you must learn about utilizing URL shorteners and why they need to be part of your social media software equipment. We additionally spoke to seven social media consultants for recommendations on profiting from them.
Key takeaways:
URL shorteners remodel lengthy, messy hyperlinks into neat, manageable URLs.
Additionally they allow you to simply observe clicks and click-through charges, making them good for monitoring your social media influence.
With URL shorteners, you’ll be able to customise your quick hyperlinks with branded names or distinctive phrases. This not solely seems to be extra skilled however helps your hyperlinks stand out and keep memorable along with your viewers.
Many URL shorteners provide QR code creation. That is tremendous useful for bridging offline and on-line interactions, making it simple for individuals to entry your content material by means of a fast scan.
10 of the perfect URL shortener instruments for 2025
With so many URL shortener choices on the market, how are you aware which to decide on? Our recommendation: search for hyperlink shortener instruments that help you customise your hyperlink, have built-in detailed analytics, and may simply combine into your social media workflow.
Listed here are our high 10 picks for the perfect URL shorteners.
1. Ow.ly
If you happen to’re searching for a user-friendly, all-in-one URL shortener, Ow.ly is for you.
Hootsuite’s hyperlink shortener is built-in proper into the Hootsuite platform and is included with each plan sort.
Not solely does Ow.ly shorten lengthy URLs, however it could routinely apply monitoring parameters on the similar time. You’ll be able to simply add UTM parameters for the site visitors supply, medium, or marketing campaign multi function place. This takes the heavy lifting out of making {custom} hyperlinks your self. Main win!
And since Ow.ly is built-in into your Hootsuite account, you’ll be able to simply observe and measure your hyperlink’s efficiency instantly in your analytics dashboard, too.
Owly’s hyperlink settings seamlessly combine with every little thing else you do inside Hootsuite, so it’s a simple and safe choice for those who already use Hootsuite as your social media platform.
Key options:
URL shortening
URL monitoring
Analytics and reporting
Greatest for: Entrepreneurs and small enterprise house owners searching for an all-in-one hyperlink shortener and tracker that integrates along with your analytics platform.
Pricing: Hootsuite affords a spread of plans suited to people and enterprises alike. Plans begin at $99 monthly.

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2. Bitly
Supply: Bitly
Trying to hone in on {custom} URLs and QR codes? Bitly is an app that creates digital connections comparable to hyperlinks, QR codes, and link-in-bio pages.
Bitly’s link-shortening software can create a singular back-half on your URL. This implies you’ll be able to add a branded matter, marketing campaign identify, or key phrase if you’d like your hyperlink to incorporate sure phrases as a substitute of randomly generated characters.
A free account affords analytics and customization for one particular person, however Fundamental and Enterprise subscriptions can be found, too, which provide branded hyperlinks, QR codes, richer knowledge and a number of customers.
Whereas Bitly makes it simple to create a {custom} URL, for those who plan to create over 10 distinctive hyperlinks monthly, you’ll have to improve to a paid plan.
Key functionalities:
URL shortening
URL monitoring
QR code creation
Hyperlink-in-bio software
Branded hyperlinks
Analytics
Greatest for: Solo enterprise house owners who’re searching for a free hyperlink shortener to get began with.
Pricing: Bitly has a free plan that features 10 hyperlinks monthly, 5 of which may have a {custom} again half. Paid plans begin at $8 monthly.
3. Rebrandly
Supply: Rebrandly
With Rebrandly, you’ll be able to create a branded quick hyperlink of your personal with a {custom} area—even with a free account.
SujindersCookiePalace.com is likely to be an ideal fundamental URL to have, however with regards to sharing on social, that character depend provides up. A brief, branded URL only for hyperlink sharing, like su.jinders, nonetheless will get what you are promoting identify in there, with out taking over treasured area.
After you’ve signed up for a free account, you’ll be able to join your area identify and create as much as 25 branded hyperlinks monthly.
Nevertheless, a draw back to Rebrandly? Its free plan solely tracks as much as 1,000 clicks. If you happen to occur to share one thing that goes viral or are inclined to see extra site visitors to your web site than this, you could need to take into account upgrading to a paid plan.
Key options:
URL shortening
QR code creation
Branded hyperlinks
API
Analytics
Greatest for: If you happen to run a small enterprise and need to share distinctive hyperlinks throughout your varied channels, Rebrandly’s free plan is an effective choice.
Pricing: Rebrandly has a free plan. Paid plans begin at $13 monthly.
4. Sniply
Supply: Sniply by UpContent
Sniply by UpContent is exclusive in that it enables you to shorten your URLs, however you may as well create a {custom} call-to-action button that grabs consideration and helps you enhance clicks and conversions.
This may make your weblog content material and net pages much more partaking, plus Sniply additionally affords free QR code technology for every hyperlink you shorten. Simply handle your hyperlinks and get analytics inside your Sniply dashboard.
Key options:
URL shortener
QR code creator
Hyperlink administration
CTA creation
Analytics
Greatest for: Manufacturers utilizing quick hyperlinks inside their touchdown web page copy and weblog submit content material.
Pricing: Paid plans begin at $9/month after a 14-day free trial.
5. Dub
Supply: Dub.co
Dub.co is an open-source hyperlink administration software that provides various integrations. This makes it a useful gizmo for advertising and marketing groups seeking to mix URL shortening with a few of their different advertising and marketing administration software program.
Get branded, customized quick hyperlinks and QR codes from a software that integrates with various different software program like Slack, Zapier, Raycast, and extra.
Key options:
URL shortening
QR code creation
Branded hyperlinks
API
Analytics
Greatest for: Trendy advertising and marketing groups seeking to construct a tech stack.
Pricing: Dub has a totally free plan that features 25 hyperlinks/month and as much as 1,000 tracked clicks. Premium plans begin at $19/month.
6. TinyURL
Supply: TinyURL
One other standalone app, TinyURL is a simple choice that will get the job executed. Based in 2002, TinyURL is the oldest hyperlink shortener on the market, and it does every little thing you want it to do: flip your lengthy, unique URL right into a tiny new URL.
Customization is feasible with out logging in, making it an environment friendly choice if you’re dashing to share the most recent episode of your MasterChef Junior podcast.
TinyURL’s primary plan affords free URL shortening so long as you’re okay with seeing adverts throughout the web site (its free plan is ad-supported). In any other case, you’ll be able to improve to a paid plan with further options like URL modifying, hyperlink monitoring, and customization.
Key options:
URL shortening
Branded hyperlinks
Bulk URL creation
Analytics
Greatest for: If you must put collectively a brief URL in a pinch, TinyURL is an effective choice.
Pricing: TinyURL has a free plan. Paid plans begin at $9.99 monthly.
7. Brief.io
Supply: Brief.io
With Brief.io, you’ll be able to create customized quick hyperlinks utilizing your personal area identify. It is a wonderful means to enhance model recognition and belief throughout your entire hyperlinks, regardless of the place you share them.
Simply add UTM parameters to trace clicks and add hyperlink expiration dates as effectively to maintain content material contemporary and up-to-date.
Key options:
URL shortening
URL monitoring
QR code creation
Bulk URL creation
Hyperlink expiration
Branded hyperlinks
API
Analytics
Greatest for: Entrepreneurs searching for an easy-to-use hyperlink shortener with a number of options.
Pricing: Brief.io affords a free plan for as much as 1,000 branded hyperlinks. Paid plans begin at $18/month.
8. Hyperlink
Supply: Hyperlink
Can’t wait to see how a lot site visitors your URLs are getting? Get real-time notifications when hyperlinks are clicked with the assistance of Hyperlink. But when the thought of frequent click on notifications sounds a bit too distracting, you may as well change the settings to hourly, every day, or weekly summaries.
Hyperlink additionally gives insightful per-click particulars and a stay monitoring dashboard: discover out the gadget, location, and referral information for each customer.
The app (for iOS and Android) is a pleasant complement to the Chrome extension for individuals who have to share hyperlinks on the go. (You’re busy! We get it!)
Hyperlink additionally affords {custom} hyperlinks and branded domains, however these options are solely accessible with a paid plan.
Key options:
URL shortening
Actual-time notifications
Branded hyperlinks
Chrome extension
Analytics
Greatest for: Entrepreneurs who need to achieve real-time insights on the go.
Pricing: Hyperlink has a free plan that features as much as 100 hyperlinks monthly. Paid plans begin at $39 monthly.
9. T2M
Supply: T2M
T2M is a URL shortening software that allows you to create custom-branded quick hyperlinks and QR codes. Handle your hyperlinks from one all-in-one dashboard and get entry to various nice options.
With T2M, you’ll be able to personalize your branded hyperlinks to make them reliable and clickable, in addition to A/B take a look at totally different hyperlink variations to seek out the perfect match.
Key options:
URL shortening
URL monitoring
QR code creation
Branded hyperlinks
Hyperlink expiration
A/B testing
API
Analytics
Greatest for: Manufacturers seeking to A/B take a look at with quick hyperlinks.
Pricing: Get began with a $5/lifetime primary plan. Paid subscriptions begin at $9.99/month.
10. Cuttly
Supply: Cuttly
Cuttly is an all-in-one hyperlink administration platform. Whether or not you need to shorten a URL, generate QR codes, or arrange a link-in-bio microsite, Cuttly affords many options.
You don’t want an account to make use of Cuttly and even to customise the URL, however an account will get you entry to real-time analytics, together with click-throughs and social media referrals.
Cuttly has a free {custom} URL shortener button you’ll be able to add to your browser toolbar, so shortening your hyperlink takes one click on.
If you happen to go for a paid plan, you get entry to branded QR code technology to create a cohesive model throughout your hyperlinks, QR codes, and anything in your link-in-bio web page.
Key options:
URL shortening
QR code creation
Branded hyperlinks
Hyperlink-in-bio
API
Analytics
Greatest for: Entrepreneurs or small enterprise house owners searching for an accessible hyperlink administration software.
Pricing: Cuttly has a free plan that features as much as 30 hyperlinks monthly and hyperlink analytics for the final 30 days. Paid plans begin at $12 monthly.
If you happen to’re sharing hyperlinks throughout your social media channels, URL shorteners could be tremendous useful. Let’s go over a number of advantages of a brief URL.
Enhance conversions: Not solely do URL shorteners make it simpler to trace your conversions, it could additionally enhance conversions typically by making your hyperlinks simpler to click on, copy, and share.
Maximize character depend: Some platforms, like X (Twitter), restrict the variety of characters you should utilize in your posts, making each character depend. URL shorteners can assist you match extra inside that restrict.
Enhance aesthetics: Brief URLs merely look higher. Plus, lengthy hyperlinks can look suspicious and spammy. Make your content material extra aesthetically pleasing and on-brand throughout your entire platforms.
5 ideas for utilizing URL shortener instruments from the consultants
In search of recommendations on greatest make the most of your URL shortener software of selection? We requested a handful of selling consultants for his or her high ideas.
1. Observe and analyze efficiency
URL shorteners could make it a lot simpler to trace your hyperlinks. Merely create a brief hyperlink and keep watch over your shortener software’s dashboard. Method simpler than organising UTM monitoring parameters, am I proper?
And Elyn-Aisin Lim, Model Director of ELEHEAR, agrees.
Lim says, “URL shorteners aren’t simply instruments for making hyperlinks extra manageable; they could be a wealthy supply of insightful knowledge. You’ll be able to observe what number of clicks you get, the geographical location of your customers, and even what occasions they’re most lively.
“This info helps to optimize our social media methods by highlighting what content material resonates with our viewers, when to submit, and the place most of our engaged customers are based mostly.”
2. Use branded hyperlinks
Discover a software that allows you to model your hyperlinks, however greater than that, be sure you’re additionally utilizing on-brand key phrases to assist your hyperlinks keep related, memorable, and secure to click on.
Brooke Webber, Head of Advertising and marketing at Ninja Patches, shares, “I like to recommend creating quick URLs that replicate your model’s distinctive identification. This not solely retains your model entrance and heart but additionally makes your hyperlinks look cleaner and extra skilled.”
“Plus, it’s enjoyable seeing a cool, {custom} URL—offers your model that little additional one thing.”
Elisa Montanari, Head of Natural Progress at Wrike, agrees, explaining, “URL shorteners are nice instruments, however they work greatest when utilizing your {custom} shortened area moderately than generic ones utilized by each enterprise. With that customization, you’ll be able to provide customers a branded hyperlink that also seems to be reliable whereas eliminating all of the monitoring parameters that are inclined to clog up your URLs from the person’s view.”
Montanari continues, “With a {custom} URL, you may give extra contextual clues to customers, too. In case your hyperlink reads yourdomain.ideas/seo-guide, for instance, customers immediately acknowledge the place the hyperlink will take them. It seems to be a complete lot higher than a generic URL with a random string of letters and numbers, and it’s higher apply from a UX perspective, as effectively.”
3. Create QR codes
Many URL shorteners additionally provide QR code creation capabilities. Make the most of these in your advertising and marketing campaigns.
Leigh McKenzie, Neighborhood Advocate at Site visitors Suppose Tank, explains, “One high tip for utilizing URL shorteners in social media posts is to generate QR codes from them. This method makes your content material extra accessible, particularly in offline environments. When customers scan the QR code, they’re seamlessly directed to your meant URL, which will increase engagement and helps observe the effectiveness of your campaigns.”
Michael Nemeroff, Co-founder & CEO of Rush Order Tees, additionally recommends the usage of QR codes. He shares, “This method maximizes each engagement and monitoring effectivity. Shortened URLs are already nice for retaining hyperlinks concise and trackable, however changing them into QR codes provides one other layer of accessibility.”
“Customers can simply scan these codes with their smartphones, making the interplay course of smoother, particularly in bodily areas or print supplies. This technique bridges the hole between offline and on-line engagement, enhancing the general person expertise.”
4. Use influencer campaigns
One other wonderful means to make use of your quick hyperlinks is with influencer campaigns. Derek Pankaew, Founding father of Listening.com, shares why this may be such a helpful tactic.
In line with Pankaew, “By offering influencers with {custom} shortened URLs, you’ll be able to observe precisely how a lot site visitors or conversions every influencer is driving. This knowledge not solely measures ROI but additionally exhibits which influencers resonate most along with your viewers.”
5. Rotate quick hyperlinks
Our last tip is to rotate totally different variations of your quick hyperlinks. This may be an effective way to A/B take a look at your content material.
Brandy Hastings, web optimization Strategist at SmartSites, explains, “Rotating shortened hyperlinks is a brilliant strategy to take a look at and enhance engagement. By utilizing a number of variations of shortened URLs, you’ll be able to observe which model resonates most along with your viewers. This technique helps you establish the best-performing content material and refines your concentrating on technique.”
Hastings continues, “This method additionally reveals how totally different audiences react to the identical content material. By testing throughout varied platforms or at totally different occasions, you’ll uncover the best situations for maximizing clicks. These insights are helpful for optimizing future campaigns.”
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