A free Bitly alternative
Bitly's free plan now has a monthly limit and shows an ad page. Here is how it compares, based on Bitly's own pricing page as read on 19 October 2026.
| Bitly free plan | QR Lasts | |
|---|---|---|
| Short links | 5 a month | Unlimited |
| QR codes | 2 a month | Unlimited, in SVG, PNG and EPS |
| Ads | Marked "With Ads" | No ad page, ever |
| Signup | Account required | None: a private edit link |
| Own domain | Included from the Growth plan, $29 a month billed yearly ($348) | Coming soon as a one-time purchase |
What changed at Bitly
Bitly's help centre explains that links on free accounts may show an ad page before visitors reach the destination. Its pricing page lists the free plan with 5 links and 2 QR codes a month, marked "With Ads". Paid plans are billed yearly.
What you get here
Unlimited short links that redirect straight to your page, each with a QR code. No account: you bookmark a private edit link. Destinations are checked against Google Web Risk, and the links keep working whether or not you ever pay for anything.
Moving existing Bitly links
Short links on bit.ly itself belong to Bitly and cannot move. If you use your own domain with Bitly and control its DNS, it can be moved so your printed links keep working. A self-serve importer and a done-for-you move are on the way.
Facts, with dates
Plans change. Figures on this page come from Bitly's public pricing and help pages as read on 19 October 2026. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.