The short answer
Is Shortener.dev a good Bitly alternative?
Shortener.dev covers the link features most teams use from Bitly (branded domains, click analytics, UTM parameters, expiration, passwords, device and geo targeting) and keeps every link option available on every plan. Paid plans start at $29 a month, and there is a one-time lifetime option.
When Bitly may fit better: You need QR code and link-in-bio management in the same tool, or an enterprise agreement with a long-established vendor.
Side-by-side
Shortener.dev vs Bitly: feature comparison
Bitly details are based on its public product and pricing pages and can change. Availability and limits depend on the plan.
| Capability | Shortener.dev | Bitly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $29 a month, or $149 one-time | Free plan, paid tiers billed monthly or yearly |
| Free plan | 10 links with 7 days of analytics | Yes, with monthly link and QR code limits |
| Custom domains | 1 to 10 branded domains, by plan | On paid plans |
| Click analytics | Country, city, referrer, browser, OS and device, 7 to 90 days by plan | Yes, history depends on plan |
| Device and geo targeting | iOS, Android and per-country destinations on every plan | Mobile deep links; check plan |
| Expiration and passwords | Both, on every plan | Check plan |
| Social preview cards | Custom title, description and image per link | Check plan |
| REST API | OpenAPI-documented API on paid plans | Yes |
| Hosting | Managed, on Cloudflare’s global network | Managed SaaS |
Cost & adoption
Pricing and ease of use
Shortener.dev is free for 10 links. Paid plans start at $29 a month for 1,000 links, three custom domains, click reports and API access, and a one-time $149 lifetime deal is available. Clicks are unlimited on every plan, and every link option is included.
Before you commit
- Check which link options (deep links, redirects after creation) are limited to higher Bitly tiers before comparing price.
- Count how many links you create per month; both products price by monthly link volume.
Next step
Try it on your own links.
Create a free account, add a few links from Bitly, and compare the analytics side by side before you move everything.
Product descriptions reflect publicly available positioning; capabilities and pricing may change. Check each provider’s current documentation before making a purchase decision. Visit Bitly