Review
TinyURL review: is it the right URL shortener in 2026?
One of the oldest shorteners, still free for basic links, with analytics and branded domains sold as paid add-ons.
TinyURL launched in 2002 and remains the most recognisable free shortener on the web. You can paste a link without creating an account, choose a custom alias and get a QR code. There are no ads on the redirect, and links do not expire.
The limits show as soon as you want more. The free plan has no analytics and you cannot edit a destination after creating a link. Pro, which third-party listings put at around $9.99 a month, adds analytics, editable links, up to three branded domains and API access, but caps you at 500 active links. Bulk is $99 a month for 300,000 links. TinyURL's own pricing page is rendered in JavaScript and could not be verified directly, so treat those figures as approximate.
The comparison that matters: TinyURL Pro's 500 active links is exactly ReSlug's free quota, and ReSlug's free plan also includes the analytics and custom domain that TinyURL charges for.
TinyURL pricing and limits
| Free | Pro (cheapest paid) | Bulk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $9.99/mo | $99/mo |
| Links | Unlimited basic links | 500 active links | 300,000 |
| Custom domains | No | Up to 3 branded domains | Up to 3 |
| Analytics retention | None | Not documented | Not documented |
| Ads on links | None | None | None |
Source: TinyURL pricing page, checked 8 November 2026. TinyURL's pricing page is rendered in JavaScript and could not be fetched directly. Figures come from third-party listings last updated April to October 2026; Pro is sold in link-volume tiers, so your price may differ.
Features
| Public API | Paid plans |
|---|---|
| Link-in-bio pages | No |
| QR codes | Yes |
| UTM builder | No |
| Link expiration | Bulk plan |
| Password protection | No |
| Geo and device routing | No |
| A/B split testing | No |
| Retargeting pixels | No |
| Bot-click filtering | Not documented |
| Team seats | No |
| Mobile deep links | No |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| Zapier / integrations | Yes |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free basic shortening with no account and no limit on link count
- No ads or interstitials on free links
- Twenty-plus years of uptime; links from 2002 still resolve
- Custom aliases and QR codes on free
Cons
- No analytics at all on the free plan and no editing of destinations
- Custom domains, analytics and the API all require Pro, from about $10 a month
- Pro caps you at 500 active links, fewer than ReSlug's free plan
- Pricing is hard to find and varies by link volume
TinyURL alternatives
- AlternativeReSlugAnyone who wants a custom domain and real analytics without paying
- AlternativeShort.ioPower users who want many custom domains cheaply
- AlternativeCuttlySmall teams in Europe who want bio pages and bot-click reporting
Frequently asked questions
Is TinyURL free?
Yes. The free plan includes Unlimited basic links, no custom domain, None of analytics and no ads on your links.
How much does TinyURL cost?
Paid plans start at $9.99/mo (Pro) billed monthly. That tier includes 500 active links links and Up to 3 branded domains custom domains.