I Built a Free URL Shortener (Because Bitly Charges $29/Month)

Description and use

A free, no‑signup URL shortener with click analytics that can be self‑hosted. It offers unlimited links, real‑time tracking, and privacy‑first design without any subscription fees.

Problem

Free URL shorteners like Bitly offer limited free usage and then require a $29/month subscription for unlimited links, creating a subscription trap for users who just want to share a link without signing up.

Outcome

Unlimited, free URL shortening with click analytics, no signup, no fees, and privacy‑first design. The solution is lightweight (under 400 lines) and can be self‑hosted or used via the provided URL.

Workflow

• Open the tool’s web page
• Paste the long URL into the input field
• Click the shorten button
• Copy the generated short link
• Share the link
• View real‑time click analytics on the same page

Evidence

No account. Open the page, paste your URL, share.

Source

Unlimited short links, forever.

Source