Bitly vs SimpleURL: Which URL Shortener Should Your Business Choose?
Bitly(https://bitly.com/) wins if you want a free plan that never expires and strong brand recognition.
SimpleURL(https://www.simpleurl.tech/) wins if you want more volume per dollar and years more data history once you're on a paid plan.
TL;DR
- Bitly's free plan is $0 forever but capped at 5 links and 2 QR codes a month.
- SimpleURL has no permanent free plan. Hobby starts at $9.99/month annually, no card required.
- SimpleURL Hobby gives 250 links and QR codes combined, about 2.5x Bitly Core's 100 links, for nearly the same price.
- Custom domains are gated on both platforms: Bitly Growth ($29/mo annual) vs SimpleURL Pro ($24.99/mo annual).
- SimpleURL Pro includes up to 3 years of data history. Bitly Premium, at $199/month, caps at 1 year.
Bitly vs SimpleURL: At a Glance
| Feature | Bitly | SimpleURL |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | $0 forever, 5 links/mo | No free-forever plan |
| Entry paid plan | Core, $10/mo | Hobby, $9.99/mo |
| Custom domain unlocks at | Growth, $29/mo | Pro, $24.99/mo |
| Max data history | 1 year (Premium, $199/mo) | 3 years (Pro, $24.99/mo) |
| Top tier | Premium, $199/mo | Team, $49.99/mo |
| Zapier integration | Yes | Launching soon |
| Money-back guarantee | Not published | 14 days, all paid plans |
What Is Bitly?
Bitly is the URL shortener most people already recognize.
- Launched short links, QR codes, and analytics as one platform
- Its bit.ly domain feels familiar to people clicking links
- That brand trust comes at a price once you outgrow free
- Best suited to teams that already have Bitly in their workflow or need enterprise compliance
What Is SimpleURL?
SimpleURL bundles short links, QR codes, UTM tracking, link-in-bio pages, and analytics into three plans.
- UTM Builder and Deep Analytics are core features, not add-ons
- Built around volume rather than gating features early
- Three tiers total: Hobby, Pro, Team
- Best suited to small businesses that create more links than Bitly's low-cost tiers allow
Link-in-Bio and QR Code Features Compared
| Feature | Bitly | SimpleURL Hobby | SimpleURL Pro | SimpleURL Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Link-in-Bio pages | Included, tier-based | 1 | 5 | 50 |
| Destination edits | Not published | 10 | 100 | 1,000 |
| Custom link alias | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| QR custom logo/color | Growth+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full QR pattern customization | Premium+ | No | Yes | Yes |
SimpleURL includes basic QR customization from its entry tier. Full pattern customization still requires Pro or Team, the same gating pattern Bitly uses at its higher tiers.
For a closer look at how these tools work, see the QR code generator and link-in-bio feature pages, or our QR code marketing guide for setup tips.
Bitly vs SimpleURL: Pricing Comparison
Bitly Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Annual | Monthly | Links/mo | QR/mo | Custom Domain | Data History |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 5 | 2 | No | — |
| Core | $10/mo ($120/yr) | Annual only | 100 | — | No | 30 days |
| Growth | $29/mo ($348/yr) | $35/mo | 500 | 10 | Yes | 120 days |
| Premium | $199/mo ($2,388/yr) | $300/mo | 3,000 | 200 | Yes | 1 year |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom | Yes | Custom |
SimpleURL Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Annual | Monthly | Links & QR/mo | Custom Domain | Data History |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $9.99/mo ($119.88/yr) | $11.99/mo | 250 | No | 30 days |
| Pro | $24.99/mo ($299.88/yr) | $29.99/mo | 500 | Yes | 3 yrs, customizable |
| Team | $49.99/mo ($599.88/yr) | $59.99/mo | 3,500 | Yes | Custom |
See the full SimpleURL pricing page for exact plan details, or browse add-ons if you need more volume without a full upgrade.
Which Is More Affordable for Small Businesses?
- Entry tier: SimpleURL Hobby gives 2.5x more volume than Bitly Core for nearly the same price
- Mid tier: SimpleURL Pro ($24.99/mo) undercuts Bitly Growth ($29/mo) by about $48/year
- Both require a mid-tier plan for a custom domain, SimpleURL's is just cheaper
Free Plan Comparison: What Do You Actually Get for $0?
| Bitly Free | SimpleURL Hobby | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 forever | $9.99/mo (annual) |
| Card required | No | No |
| Links/QR per month | 5 links, 2 QR | 250 combined |
| Custom domain | No | No |
| API requests | 1,000/mo | Not published |
Bitly's free plan never expires. SimpleURL's cheapest plan costs $9.99/month but gives far more volume. Pick based on whether $0 or higher volume matters more to you.
Custom Branded Domains: Bitly vs SimpleURL
Neither platform includes a custom domain on its entry tier.
| Plan Required | Annual Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Bitly | Growth | $29/mo |
| SimpleURL | Pro | $24.99/mo |
Do You Need a Paid Plan for a Custom Domain?
Yes, on both platforms.
- Bitly Free and Core: no custom domain
- SimpleURL Hobby: no custom domain
- Bitly Growth vs SimpleURL Pro: SimpleURL is about $4/month cheaper
Running an agency with multiple clients? See how to set up branded domains per client.
Link Analytics and Click Tracking Compared
| Plan | Data History | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bitly Core | 30 days | $10 |
| Bitly Growth | 120 days | $29 |
| Bitly Premium | 1 year | $199 |
| SimpleURL Hobby | 30 days | $9.99 |
| SimpleURL Pro | 3 years, customizable | $24.99 |
| SimpleURL Team | Custom | $49.99 |
SimpleURL Pro beats Bitly Premium's data history at roughly an eighth of the price. See the short link analytics feature page for what's tracked at each tier.
Ease of Use and Setup Time
- Bitly's dashboard covers campaigns, QR codes, and landing pages in one place, but gets cluttered at scale
- SimpleURL's plan comparison is laid out in a single table, easier to scan before you commit
- Neither tool requires technical setup for basic link shortening
API, Integrations, and Automation
- Bitly API scales from 1,000 requests/mo (Free) to 50,000/mo (Premium)
- Bitly connects to Shopify, Canva, and a wide app marketplace
- SimpleURL includes UTM Builder and Deep Analytics as built-in features, documented in the API reference
Zapier and No-Code Workflow Support
- Bitly already supports Zapier: trigger link creation from Google Sheets, Slack, Salesforce
- SimpleURL's Zapier integration is launching soon
- Once live, SimpleURL will pair Zapier automation with its existing UTM tracking
Security, Reliability, and Uptime
| Bitly | SimpleURL | |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, CCPA | Not published |
| Uptime SLA | 99.9% (Enterprise) | Not published |
| SSO | Yes (Enterprise) | Not published |
| Dedicated support | Enterprise only | Team plan |
Bitly has the edge for procurement-heavy enterprise buyers. If your business needs a signed SLA or SSO for a vendor security review, that requirement alone can settle the decision regardless of price.
Support and Onboarding Compared
| Bitly | SimpleURL | |
|---|---|---|
| Free/entry tier support | Community/help center | Standard support |
| Mid-tier support | Standard | Priority email (Pro) |
| Top-tier support | Enterprise CSM | Dedicated account manager (Team) |
| Refund policy | Not published | 14-day money-back, all paid plans |
A published refund window matters if you're testing a paid plan for the first time. SimpleURL states this upfront. Bitly doesn't publish one on its pricing page. Questions about a specific plan? Check our FAQs or support page.
Is SimpleURL a Good Bitly Alternative?
Yes, if your priority is volume and data retention over enterprise compliance.
- SimpleURL Hobby out-volumes Bitly Core at nearly the same price
- SimpleURL Pro undercuts Bitly Growth by about $4/month
- Bitly still leads on SSO, published SLA, and brand recognition
How to Switch from Bitly to SimpleURL
- Export your active Bitly link list, including destination URLs
- Recreate those links on SimpleURL
- Update every place the old links are published: email signatures, bios, print materials
Will My Old Bitly Links Still Work?
- Existing bit.ly links stay live and controlled by Bitly
- They do not transfer to SimpleURL automatically
- Update your published links gradually rather than all at once
Bitly vs SimpleURL: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Bitly If...
- You need a permanently free plan under 5 links/month
- You need SOC 2, GDPR, or CCPA documentation for procurement
- Brand recognition on the link itself matters more than cost
Choose SimpleURL If...
- You want more links and QR codes per dollar
- You need years of data history without a $199/month bill
- You want a custom domain at a lower monthly cost than Bitly Growth
Real-World Example: Choosing a Shortener for a Growing Business
A small dental clinic runs Google Ads, email, and social campaigns monthly.
| Bitly Core | SimpleURL Hobby | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Links | 100/mo | 250/mo combined |
| Custom domain | Requires Growth, $29/mo | Requires Pro, $24.99/mo |
Moving to a branded domain costs the clinic about $48 less per year on SimpleURL than on Bitly. See how other healthcare and local service businesses use branded links to build patient trust.
Add-Ons and Plan Flexibility
- SimpleURL offers add-ons at up to 90% off for active subscribers who need more short links, QR codes, branded domains, or analytics without a full plan upgrade
- Bitly requires moving to the next full tier if you exceed your monthly link cap, there's no à la carte add-on option
- SimpleURL's 14-day money-back guarantee applies to every paid plan, including Hobby and Pro
- Bitly doesn't publish a refund policy on its pricing page
FAQs
1. Is Bitly free to use?
Yes. Bitly's free plan is $0 forever, with 5 links and 2 QR codes a month. Good for testing, too limited for active campaigns.
2. Does SimpleURL have a custom domain on its free plan?
SimpleURL has no permanent free plan. Its entry tier, Hobby ($9.99/mo), doesn't include a custom domain either. That requires Pro at $24.99/mo.
3. Can I switch from Bitly to SimpleURL without losing my links?
Existing bit.ly links stay with Bitly and don't transfer automatically. You'll recreate active links on SimpleURL and update where they're published.
4. Which is better for small businesses, Bitly or SimpleURL?
SimpleURL gives more volume per dollar and longer data history. Bitly gives a permanent free plan and stronger enterprise compliance credentials.
5. Does SimpleURL integrate with Zapier?
SimpleURL's Zapier integration is launching soon. Bitly already supports Zapier today.
Try SimpleURL Free
Bitly still wins if you need a permanent free plan or enterprise-grade compliance.
But if you're paying for links, QR codes, and analytics anyway, SimpleURL gives you more for the same money at every tier.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
- 2.5x more links and QR codes than Bitly Core, for nearly the same $9.99/month price
- A custom branded domain for about $4/month less than Bitly Growth
- Up to 3 years of data history on Pro, versus 1 year on Bitly Premium at $199/month
- A 14-day money-back guarantee on every paid plan, so switching isn't a one-way decision
Start your free SimpleURL account →