Yes—Bitly still offers a free plan, but it comes with limitations such as caps on the number of monthly links, limited analytics, and no custom domains. If you need more flexibility, stronger branding options, or advanced link tracking, alternatives like QuitURL provide more generous features even on free plans.

Is Bitly Still Free? (Full Guide)

A lot of creators, marketers, and small businesses wonder whether Bitly is still free—and the answer is yes, but with conditions. Bitly’s free plan works for basic link shortening, but many features that people expect—branded links, advanced analytics, custom domains, QR code customization, and deeper link management—are locked behind paid tiers.

If you’re exploring options or comparing tools, this guide breaks down how free link shortening works today and how platforms like QuitURL help you get more flexibility without hitting paywalls.

Understanding Bitly’s Free Plan

Bitly’s free plan allows you to shorten links, but it's more limited than it used to be. Over time, Bitly shifted more features into paid tiers, especially features aimed at marketers and growing creators.

Typical free plan limitations include:

• A restricted number of links you can create per month
• Basic analytics only
• No custom domains
• Limited or no branding features
• No link rotators
• No advanced management tools

These restrictions are totally fine for casual use, but once you start running campaigns, promoting offers, or managing multiple platforms, you may quickly hit walls.

Why It Matters

If you're a marketer running ads, a YouTuber posting affiliate links, a startup owner juggling campaigns, or a creator managing your bio links, these limitations can affect your reach and performance.

Here’s why:

• Analytics are crucial for understanding where your clicks come from.
• Branded links improve trust and boost click-through rates.
• Custom domains help maintain a consistent brand identity.
• Link rotators are essential for A/B testing.
• QR codes are now a must-have for offline marketing.

For folks who rely on link data to grow their business or channel, these aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re necessities.

Is Knowing Whether Bitly Is Free Important for Me?

Definitely—especially if you:

• Post links often
• Care about branding
• Want to track clicks
• Manage campaigns
• Share links on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, emails, or ads
• Need QR codes for physical marketing

Creators and marketers often start with a free tool and eventually discover they need more flexibility—usually right after a campaign takes off.

If you’re planning ahead or comparing platforms before committing, understanding Bitly’s free limitations vs. alternatives like QuitURL helps you choose a tool that grows with you.

How QuitURL Helps (A Flexible Alternative to Bitly)

QuitURL is a modern URL Shortener and Link Management platform built by Deep Thinkar LLC, designed for reliability, simplicity, and growth. It’s packed with features that many tools only offer on paid plans—all with a clean, intuitive experience.

Below are the highlights that help creators, marketers, small businesses, and teams manage links more effectively.

H3: Free URL Shortening Without the Harsh Limits

QuitURL lets you shorten links instantly—no account required.
If you sign up for a free account, you get access to:

• Link tracking
• QR code generation
• Bio Pages
• Link folders
• Custom slugs
• Analytics
• And more

No “five-links-per-month” surprises and no limited dashboards.

Branded Links & Custom Domains

Branded links make a huge difference in trust. QuitURL lets you:

• Connect your own domain
• Create fully branded links
• Customize slugs
• Build consistent branding across campaigns

Instead of something like quiturl.com/xyz123, you can use:
go.yourbrand.com/offer

This is especially helpful for:

• UGC creators
• Marketers running ads
• Startups building a product ecosystem
• YouTubers using affiliate links

Powerful Link Management Tools

QuitURL is built to scale with you.
It includes:

• Tagging and categorizing links
• Folders for organization
• Bulk editing capabilities
• Password-protected links
• Expiring links
• Scheduled links
• Link rotators (great for A/B testing)
• Deep linking support

If you’ve ever run multiple campaigns at once, this is a lifesaver.

Analytics Dashboard for Serious Tracking

QuitURL offers a clean, powerful Link Tracking dashboard with details such as:

• Total clicks
• Country-based traffic
• Device types
• Browser usage
• Referring sites
• Hourly and daily trends

Real-life usage examples:

• A marketer can compare ad results across platforms.
• A YouTuber can see which videos generate the most link clicks.
• A startup can track where their signups come from.
• A nonprofit can monitor campaign engagement by region.

These insights help boost performance without guesswork.

Free QR Code Generator (Dynamic)

Every QuitURL link comes with a free, downloadable dynamic QR code, meaning you can change the destination anytime without reprinting anything.

Perfect for:

• Restaurant menus
• Event signage
• Product packaging
• Posters and flyers
• Pop-up shops
• Business cards

Bitly’s free QR code customization is limited—QuitURL gives you more control.

Bio Page Builder for Social Creators

QuitURL’s Bio Page lets you build a clean, customizable mini website to host all your links in one place.

Features include:

• Drag-and-drop links
• Social icons
• Analytics
• Themes
• Custom domains
• Fast-loading design

Whether you’re on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter, a Bio Page gives you one place to funnel your audience.

Built on Trust & Reliability

QuitURL is built by Deep Thinkar LLC with a commitment to:

• 99% uptime SLA
• Secure HTTPS links
• Anti-spam protections
• Privacy-focused policies
• Reliable link infrastructure

Your links stay online, fast, and secure—no unpleasant surprises.

Tips for Marketers and Creators

For Marketers

• Use branded links to increase trust
• Track ads with analytics
• Compare campaigns using link rotators
• Use QR codes for offline → online conversions

For YouTubers

• Replace long affiliate URLs with clean short links
• Track clicks from each video
• Add QR codes to video overlays

For Instagram & TikTok Creators

• Build a Bio Page with multiple links
• Use branded links in stories
• Track clicks to see which platform performs best

For Startups

• Use tags and folders to organize campaigns
• Share analytics with your team
• Use custom domains for professionalism

Conclusion

Bitly is still free, but the limitations can be restrictive for brands, creators, and teams who need real analytics, branded links, or customizable link tools. QuitURL offers a flexible, feature-rich alternative that supports your growth from day one.

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 Instagram profile → Edit Profile → paste your QuitURL short link or Bio Page URL into the Website field. It updates instantly.

2. Can I track clicks on my Instagram bio link?

Yes. QuitURL’s analytics dashboard shows click data by device, country, referrer, and more.

3. How do I manage multiple links on Instagram?

Use QuitURL’s Bio Page to place all your links—products, videos, shop links, and socials—in one easy-to-access page.

4. How can I create branded links for my Instagram bio?

Connect your custom domain in QuitURL and create branded links like “yourname.com/bio” for higher trust and professionalism.

5. Can I use a QR code for my Instagram bio link?

Absolutely. QuitURL generates a dynamic QR code for every link, perfect for posters, packaging, or physical promotions.