Head to head
Dub vs Short.io: which URL shortener should you pick in 2026?
An open-source, API-first link platform with SDKs, webhooks and conversion tracking, aimed at developers and SaaS teams. A domain-first shortener with unusually generous domain allowances and a cheap $5 entry plan. Here is how their free plans, prices and features line up.
Both are serious alternatives to Bitly with free custom domains and APIs on the free plan. Dub is the engineering choice: open source, typed SDKs, webhooks, conversion tracking, published retention of 30 days free and a year on Pro. Short.io is the value choice: five free domains, 1,000 free links, a free API at 50 requests a second, and unlimited links for $18.
Dub Pro at $27 a month allows 1,000 links a month and ten domains. Short.io Pro at $18 allows unlimited links and ten domains. Short.io does not publish analytics retention.
Dub vs Short.io: every limit side by side
| Dub | Short.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ||
| Free plan available | Yes | Yes |
| Free links | 25 links/mo | 1,000 links (lifetime) |
| Custom domain on free | Yes | Yes |
| Ads on free links | No | No |
| Analytics on free | 30 days | Not documented |
| QR codes on free | Yes | Yes |
| Paid | ||
| Cheapest paid plan | Pro, $27/mo | Hobby, $5/mo |
| Billed annually | $24.30/mo | — |
| Links on cheapest paid plan | 1,000/mo (12,000/yr) | 2,500 (lifetime) |
| Custom domains (paid) | 10 | 7 |
| Analytics retention (paid) | 1 year | Not documented |
| Features | ||
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Link-in-bio pages | No | Yes |
| UTM builder | Yes | Yes |
| Link expiration | Yes | Pro and up |
| Password-protected links | Yes | Pro and up |
| Geo / device routing | Yes | Yes |
| A/B split testing | Yes | Yes |
| Retargeting pixels | No | Yes |
| Bot-click filtering | Not documented | Not documented |
| Team seats | Yes | Team plan |
Sources: Dub pricing and Short.io pricing, checked 8 November 2026.
Choose Dub if…
- You want SDKs, webhooks and conversion attribution.
- You need published analytics retention and RBAC.
- You want an open-source codebase.
Choose Short.io if…
- You want the most domains and links for the least money.
- You want unlimited links on an $18 plan.
- You want a Team plan with unlimited users.
Bottom line
Developers will prefer Dub's tooling. Anyone optimising for links and domains per dollar should take Short.io.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dub or Short.io better for a free plan?
Dub gives you 25 links/mo free; Short.io gives you 1,000 links (lifetime) free. See the free-plan rows in the table above for domains, ads and analytics.
Which is cheaper, Dub or Short.io?
Dub's cheapest paid plan is $27/mo (Pro) and Short.io's is $5/mo (Hobby), both billed monthly. Annual billing lowers the effective rate where offered.
Can I use my own domain with Dub and Short.io?
Dub: yes, on the free plan. Short.io: yes, on the free plan.