TinyURL — free plan, limits and what it is good for
Free, no account, no expiry, no click limits. The least annoying link shortener still running.
| Pricing | Free; Pro for analytics |
|---|---|
| Free tier | Unlimited links |
| Account required | No account needed |
| Watermark on free output | No |
| Limits | Custom aliases and click stats are paid |
| Platforms | Web, API, extensions |
| Best for | Shortening links for print, SMS, or character-limited posts |
| Last checked | October 2026 |
What the free plan actually gives you
Paste a URL, get a short one, no login. Links do not expire and there is no click cap, which is more than most free shorteners offer — several competitors now gate redirects behind a subscription after a threshold.
What you give up is data: click counts and custom aliases require a paid plan, so you cannot tell whether anyone used the link. For tracking, use a UTM parameter on the destination instead.
Where it breaks
- No click analytics on free
- Custom aliases require Pro
- Short links look untrustworthy to some users
What we would use instead
If the limits above are a problem, the closest free substitutes are CloudConvert and PDF24 Tools. They are not identical — each one trades something different — but all of them let you finish a job without paying.
Free alternatives
Questions people actually ask
Do TinyURL links expire?
No. Free links are permanent and have no click limit.
Can I choose my own alias?
Custom aliases are a paid feature. Free links get a random code.
Is it safe to click a TinyURL link?
The domain is well known, but the destination is hidden. Preview the target before clicking anything unexpected.