Bitly still offers a free tier, but many of its most useful features—like branded links, advanced analytics, and link management tools—now require a paid plan. If you’re looking for a powerful URL Shortener with more generous free features, QuitURL is a flexible alternative.
Understanding Whether Bitly Is Still Free
Bitly has been one of the most widely used URL shorteners for years. Many creators, marketers, and small businesses originally adopted it because of its simple, reliable, and free link shortener. Over time, Bitly has shifted more features into paid plans, making users wonder: Is Bitly not free anymore?
The short answer: Bitly does have a free plan, but it’s very limited compared to what most users actually need. You can create a few short links a month, but features like branded links, link redirects, analytics, QR code customizations, and advanced campaign tracking require a subscription.
This shift has led many creators, YouTubers, and startups to look for alternatives that offer more flexibility—preferably without forcing an upgrade on day one. That’s where QuitURL comes in.
Why It Matters
Whether Bitly is free or restricted matters because your link strategy affects your entire online presence. If your link shortener only gives you a few free credits or limited features, that can hold back your marketing efforts.
Here’s why users care:
- YouTubers want to track which video links convert best.
- Small businesses need QR codes for menus, flyers, and packaging without paying extra for each.
- Marketers need UTM tracking, branded links, and analytics dashboards.
- Startups want unlimited short links for campaigns and landing pages.
If your link shortener limits you, your campaigns suffer. And if the free tier is too basic, you end up paying for features you expected to have from the start.
Is This Important for Me?
Whether Bitly’s free limitations matter depends on how you use your links.
It matters a lot if:
- You share multiple links daily
- You run campaigns across social media
- You work with influencers or affiliates
- You need deep analytics
- You want a branded domain (e.g., yourbrand.link)
- You generate QR codes regularly
It might not matter much if:
- You only shorten a few URLs per month
- You don’t need analytics
- You don’t care about branded links
- You only share personal links occasionally
But for creators, marketers, and businesses who rely heavily on link performance, a more flexible tool like QuitURL removes those restrictions.
How QuitURL Helps
QuitURL is designed to be a modern, generous, and flexible alternative to Bitly. Built by Deep Thinkar LLC, it combines powerful Link Management tools with ease of use and affordable pricing—plus a free tier that’s actually useful.
Here’s how QuitURL fills the gaps:
A More Generous URL Shortener
QuitURL lets you shorten links easily without imposing harsh monthly caps. It’s designed for creators and brands who need reliability without constantly worrying about hitting limits.
You can:
- Create unlimited short links
- Edit link destinations anytime
- Organize links into campaigns
- Monitor performance through analytics
For example, a YouTuber can shorten affiliate links for every video description without running into daily or monthly caps.
Branded Links Without High Fees
One of the biggest pain points with Bitly is the cost of using branded domains. QuitURL makes branded links far easier to set up and much more affordable.
You can connect your own custom domain to create:
- yourbrand.com/post
- link.yourbrand.com/go
- go.yourbrand.com/offer
This is a huge credibility boost—especially for marketers and startups.
Detailed Link Tracking & Analytics Dashboard
QuitURL’s analytics tools give you deeper insights than the typical free-tier link shortener.
You can track:
- Click counts
- Device types
- Browsers
- Locations
- Referrers
- Real-time activity
- QR code scans
This level of insight helps marketers optimize campaigns, measure conversions, and refine targeting.
A startup growth team can compare traffic from Instagram, TikTok, ads, and newsletters—all inside one dashboard.
QR Code Generator Included
QuitURL includes a full QR Code Generator, and scans are counted just like clicks.
Perfect for:
- Restaurants adding QR menus
- Event promotions
- Product packaging
- Real estate flyers
- Local services
- Influencers promoting events
Unlike other tools, you don’t pay extra for high-resolution or trackable QR codes.
Link Rotator & Deep Linking
QuitURL includes technical features typically found in advanced marketing platforms:
- Link Rotator → rotate multiple destinations under one short link (A/B testing or multiple offers)
- Deep Linking → direct users into apps instead of generic pages
A marketer running A/B tests can rotate landing pages without changing the link.
An app creator can send users straight into the app store or an app screen.
Secure, Reliable, Built to Scale
QuitURL prioritizes trust:
- 99% uptime SLA
- Secure redirects
- Privacy-first platform
- Global link reliability
- Built and maintained by Deep Thinkar LLC
When you share a link, you know it will work anytime, anywhere.
Tips for Marketers and Creators
If Bitly’s limitations are affecting your workflow, here’s how to make the most of your link strategy:
For YouTubers
- Use QuitURL to shorten all affiliate and sponsorship links.
- Track engagement by video, device, and region.
- Add a Bio Page link in your description for all resources in one place.
For Marketers
- Use branded links across ads and landing pages for higher CTR.
- Track performance with UTM parameters and analytics.
- Rotate multiple landing pages under one link for testing.
For Startups
- Organize links by campaigns, team members, or product lines.
- Use QR codes for offline promotions and product packaging.
- Share short, memorable branded links during presentations or pitches.
For Creators & Influencers
- Build a QuitURL Bio Page to showcase your best links.
- Use short links for captions, reels, TikTok posts, and stories.
- Track which platforms send the most traffic.
Conclusion
Bitly isn’t completely paid—but its free plan is far more limited than it used to be. If you need more flexibility, better analytics, branded links, or unlimited short links without hitting constant paywalls, QuitURL is the more powerful and affordable alternative.
Ready to create your first short link? Get started at QuitURL.com and manage your links like a pro.
Related FAQs
1. How do I add a link in my Instagram bio?
Go to your profile → Edit Profile → paste your QuitURL short link or Bio Page into the Website field.
2. Can I track clicks on my Instagram bio link?
Yes—QuitURL’s analytics dashboard shows click counts, devices, locations, and referral sources.
3. How do I manage multiple links on Instagram?
Create a QuitURL Bio Page to combine all your links into one clean, mobile-friendly hub.
4. How do I create branded links for Instagram?
Connect a custom domain in QuitURL to make branded URLs like yourname.com/shop.
5. Can I use a QR Code for my Instagram bio link?
Absolutely—QuitURL’s QR Code Generator lets you create a scannable code that points to your Bio Page or short link.