Top 5 URL Shorteners [2023]

Before diving into our top 5 URL shorteners for 2023, let’s briefly talk about a URL shortener or a link shortener.

In today’s fast-paced digital environment, sharing and consuming information daily can be easily related to eating – consuming food. To allow us to share information online, we use a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) commonly known as a website address or link.

Like the address for your home, a URL contains information about a website. However, URLs can often be complex, lengthy, and difficult to remember or share. This is where a URL shortener comes into play.

What is a URL shortener?

A URL shortener is a tool or service that transforms a long URL into a shortened, more compact version. The shortened URL redirects users – you or your customers to the original long URL when clicked.

The main purpose of a URL shortener is to make URLs short, manageable, and shareable. They are very important in situations where character limitations exist. URL shorteners also offer additional features like click tracking, analytics, and custom branding. This feature allows you to monitor the performance of your link, track click-through rates, and gather valuable insights regarding your customers or potential customers.

Top 5 URL shorteners in 2023

1. Bitly

Bitly is a popular and oldest URL shortening tool. This tool not only shortens links but generates QR codes and creates link-in-bios.

Features: Short link, QR code, link-in-bio

Website: https://bitly.com/

2. TinyURL

TinyURL is a straightforward and simple URL shortener that allows users to create short links without the need for an account.

Features: Expert link analysis, Bulk short URLs, fully branded domains, expert support options

Website: https://tinyurl.com/app

3. Rebrandly

Rebrandly provides custom-branded short URLs for businesses and organizations. It offers both free and premium plans based on additional features.

Features: Link management, traffic routing, domain name management, collaboration, training, and support

Website: https://www.rebrandly.com/

4. Ow.ly by Hootsuite

Ow.ly is a free URL shortener owned by Hootsuite, a popular social media management company. To use Ow.ly, you need to have a Hootsuite account. The Hootsuite account can be created for free.

Features: Customizable URLs option for branded links, click tracking, link analytics, and integration with Hootsuite

Website: https://www.hootsuite.com/pages/owly

5. Short.io

Short.io is a URL-shortening service designed to streamline and simplify the process of creating shorter URLs for businesses and individuals to improve their online presence.

Features: Real-time tracking, multiple custom domains, campaign tracking, detailed statistics, link retargeting, deep links

Website: https://short.io/