What is urlshort and URLShort?

URLShort is the free URL shortener at urlshort.at. People often search "urlshort" to find this site. Your short links use the domain urlshort.at (for example urlshort.at/abc) and redirect to your long destination. "URL short" and "link shortener" describe the same kind of tool—we help you shorten URLs free without an account.

How do I shorten URLs for free?

Paste any long URL into the box on urlshort.at and click Shorten. You can shorten URLs free with no sign-up. You get a short URL on urlshort.at that you can copy, share, and track. Optional custom aliases and expiration are available under Advanced options.

What is the difference between a short URL and a URL shortener?

A short URL is the compact link you share—for example urlshort.at/sale. A URL shortener (also called a url short tool or link shortener) is the service that creates that short URL from a long address. People search "short url" or "url short" for the result; URLShort at urlshort.at gives you both: paste any long link, get a short URL instantly, free and without an account.

What is a URL shortener?

A URL shortener is a tool that converts long web addresses into compact, easy-to-share short links. URLShort is a free URL shortener that creates short URLs like urlshort.at/abc from any long URL. Short links are easier to share on social media, emails, SMS, and print materials.

Is URLShort completely free?

Yes, URLShort is 100% free to use. You can shorten unlimited URLs, create custom short link aliases, and access full click analytics — all without signing up or paying anything. URLShort runs on Cloudflare's free tier infrastructure.

Can I create custom short URLs with my own alias?

Yes! URLShort lets you create custom short URLs with your own alias. Instead of a random code, you can choose a memorable name like urlshort.at/my-brand. Custom aliases make your short links recognizable and trustworthy.

Does URLShort provide link click analytics and tracking?

Yes, URLShort provides comprehensive click analytics for every shortened URL. You can track total clicks, unique visitors, geographic location (country and city), device type, operating system, browser, and referrer sources — all in real time and completely free.

How fast are URLShort redirects?

URLShort delivers sub-10ms redirects globally. Short URLs are served from Cloudflare's edge network with 300+ data centers worldwide. URL lookups use Cloudflare KV, a globally distributed key-value store, ensuring the fastest possible redirect speed regardless of where your users are located.

Can I use URLShort to shorten links for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook?

Absolutely. URLShort short links work perfectly on all social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Short URLs are ideal for social media bios, posts, and direct messages where character count matters.

Can I set an expiration time on shortened links?

Yes, URLShort supports link expiration. When creating a short URL, you can set it to expire after a certain number of hours. This is useful for time-limited promotions, event links, or temporary access URLs.

Does URLShort support branded short links and custom domains?

Yes, URLShort supports custom short URL aliases for branded links. You can create recognizable short URLs like urlshort.at/your-brand. The platform is also built to support custom domain configuration for full white-label branded short links.

Is URLShort really free compared to Bitly?

Yes. URLShort has no per-month link limit on the free tier and does not require a credit card or account to shorten URLs.

Can I use my own domain like Bitly branded links?

URLShort supports custom aliases on urlshort.at today; custom domain configuration is supported at the infrastructure level for future white-label setups.

Will my old Bitly links keep working?

Bitly links you already published continue to work on Bitly until you delete them. New traffic should use fresh URLShort codes you control.

Does URLShort have an API like Bitly?

Yes — JSON REST endpoints for shorten, list, stats, and bulk creation. See /api-docs for examples.

Best Free Bitly Alternative

Bitly is the most recognized link shortener, but the free plan limits you to 5 short links and 2 QR codes per month (as of 2026). URLShort offers unlimited shortening, custom aliases, and click analytics with no account required.

Need a free short URL right now? Shorten a URL on URLShort with the form below—unlimited links, no account.

URLShort vs Bitly

Feature	URLShort	Bitly
Links per month	Unlimited	5/mo
Custom aliases	✓ Free	3/mo on free
Click analytics	✓ Full	30 days on paid
Account required	✗ None	✓ Required
API access	✓ Free	Paid tiers
Redirect speed	<10ms (Edge)	~50–100ms

Why switch

Unlimited short URLs — no monthly link cap
Custom aliases included free
Full click analytics without upgrading
No sign-up required to start

Migration steps

Export your Bitly links (CSV from dashboard if on a paid plan, or copy URLs manually).
Recreate each destination in URLShort with the same custom alias when available.
Update bios, ads, and printed materials to point at urlshort.at/your-code.
Use separate codes per channel so analytics stay comparable to Bitly campaigns.

FAQ

Is URLShort really free compared to Bitly?: Yes. URLShort has no per-month link limit on the free tier and does not require a credit card or account to shorten URLs.
Can I use my own domain like Bitly branded links?: URLShort supports custom aliases on urlshort.at today; custom domain configuration is supported at the infrastructure level for future white-label setups.
Will my old Bitly links keep working?: Bitly links you already published continue to work on Bitly until you delete them. New traffic should use fresh URLShort codes you control.
Does URLShort have an API like Bitly?: Yes — JSON REST endpoints for shorten, list, stats, and bulk creation. See /api-docs for examples.

More comparisons: TinyURL · Rebrandly · Cuttly · ShortURL

More free utilities on URLShort — all work alongside your shortened links.

All tools →Guides & how-tos →Shorten a URL

Best Free Bitly Alternative

URLShort vs Bitly

Why switch

Migration steps

FAQ

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