URL Shorteners · head-to-head
Bitly vs Mgnet.me
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.
Mgnet.me is a niche shortener for BitTorrent magnet URIs rather than web pages: a GET or POST to /api/create with a magnet parameter returns a short mgnet.me link that redirects back to the original magnet. The API is keyless and can return JSON, XML, or plain text (with JSONP callback support), but the service is HTTP-only — no TLS is available on its endpoints.
| Bitly | Mgnet.me | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | OAuth | None |
| Pricing | freemium | free |
| Formats | JSON | JSON, XML, Text |
| CORS | yes | no |
| HTTPS | Yes | No |
Mgnet.me needs no API key, while Bitly requires OAuth — pick Mgnet.me to start without signup.