Review
Short.io review: is it the right URL shortener in 2026?
A domain-first shortener with unusually generous domain allowances and a cheap $5 entry plan.
Short.io's whole model is built around domains. Where Bitly includes one branded domain at $29 a month, Short.io's free plan, verified in November 2026, includes five, plus 1,000 links and 50,000 tracked clicks a month. Commercial use is allowed on the free plan.
Hobby costs $5 a month for 2,500 links and 7 domains. Pro at $18 a month removes the link limit, allows 10 domains and adds expiration and password protection. Team at $48 allows 50 domains and unlimited users. A 7-day trial covers the paid plans and annual billing saves 17%.
Two caveats. The link quotas on Free and Hobby are lifetime totals, so an active user eventually hits the ceiling and must upgrade. And the pricing page does not state analytics retention on any plan, which makes it impossible to compare directly against ReSlug's 365 days or Dub's year.
Short.io pricing and limits
| Free | Hobby (cheapest paid) | Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $5/mo | $18/mo |
| Links | 1,000 links (lifetime) | 2,500 (lifetime) | Unlimited |
| Custom domains | Yes | 7 | 10 |
| Analytics retention | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| Ads on links | None | None | None |
Source: Short.io pricing page, checked 8 November 2026. Annual billing saves 17%. Free plan includes 5 custom domains; link quotas are lifetime totals, not monthly.
Features
| Public API | Yes |
|---|---|
| Link-in-bio pages | Yes |
| QR codes | Yes |
| UTM builder | Yes |
| Link expiration | Pro and up |
| Password protection | Pro and up |
| Geo and device routing | Yes |
| A/B split testing | Yes |
| Retargeting pixels | Yes |
| Bot-click filtering | Not documented |
| Team seats | Team plan |
| Mobile deep links | Yes |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| Zapier / integrations | Yes |
Pros and cons
Pros
- 5 custom domains on the free plan and 1,000 lifetime links
- Hobby plan is $5 a month for 2,500 links and 7 domains
- Pro at $18 a month gives unlimited links and 10 domains
- API on every plan, including free, at 50 requests a second
Cons
- Analytics retention is not published for any plan
- Password protection and expiration need Pro
- Free quota is a lifetime total, so it runs out and does not refresh
- Interface is dense compared with newer tools
Short.io alternatives
- AlternativeReSlugAnyone who wants a custom domain and real analytics without paying
- AlternativeDubDevelopers and SaaS teams who want an API, SDKs and conversion tracking
- AlternativeCuttlySmall teams in Europe who want bio pages and bot-click reporting
Frequently asked questions
Is Short.io free?
Yes. The free plan includes 1,000 links (lifetime), a custom domain, Not documented of analytics and no ads on your links.
How much does Short.io cost?
Paid plans start at $5/mo (Hobby) billed monthly. That tier includes 2,500 (lifetime) links and 7 custom domains.