Bitly vs Free Url Shortener

Bitly is one of the oldest and most widely used link-management platforms, shortening URLs to bit.ly links and tracking clicks, geography, referrers, and campaigns. Its v4 REST API authenticates with an OAuth 2.0 access token and covers link creation, custom back-halves, QR codes, and analytics, returning JSON. A limited free tier exists, with paid Core and Enterprise plans unlocking higher volumes, branded domains, and deeper metrics.

Ulvis' Free URL Shortener shortens links through a plain GET or POST API with no signup or key required. It supports custom short names, click limits, passwords, and expiry dates, returning results as JSON or XML. It sends no CORS header, so the API must be called from a server rather than directly from browser JavaScript.