A Bitly Alternative Without Ads on Your Links
iny.one is a free URL shortener with built-in UTM tracking and QR codes that never inserts an advertising page before redirecting. If you landed here after seeing an ad on one of your own Bitly links, this page compares — with real numbers — what the main free plans actually give you in 2026.
What changed with Bitly's free plan
Bitly's free tier was the default shortener for over a decade. That product no longer exists in the same form: as of 2026 the free plan allows 5 new links and 2 QR codes per month, analytics are limited to total click counts, and — since early 2025 — free links show an interstitial preview page that can include advertising before sending visitors to the destination. The change applies retroactively to links created earlier on free accounts, and removing the ad page requires a paid plan. None of this makes Bitly a bad product; it makes the free plan a trial rather than a tool.
Free plans compared (verified July 2026)
| Service | Free links / month | Ad page on redirect | UTM tools | QR codes | Free analytics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iny.one | 5 anonymous · 50 with free account | Never | source, medium, campaign built-in | Free PNG, no watermark | Clicks, countries, devices, browsers, referrers |
| Bitly | 5 | Yes (interstitial with ads) | On paid campaigns tooling | 2 / month | Total clicks only |
| TinyURL | Unlimited (anonymous) | No | No | Paid | None |
| Short.io | 1,000 total (own domain required) | No | Yes | Yes | Up to 50k tracked clicks / month |
| Dub | 25 | No | Yes | Yes | Full, developer-oriented |
| Cuttly | 30 | No | UTM builder included | Yes | 30-day history |
Limits change often in this market — always re-check each vendor's pricing page before committing. Sources: each provider's own pricing and support pages.
Where iny.one fits — and where it doesn't
Honesty works both ways. iny.one is a good fit if you want clean redirects, UTM tagging and a QR code on every link without paying or seeing ads: 50 links a month on a free account covers most creators and small campaigns, and the dashboard shows countries, devices, browsers and referrers. It is not the right tool if you need branded custom domains (links live on iny.one), tens of thousands of links, or team seats — for high-volume branded links, Short.io's free tier is genuinely generous, and developers who want an open-source stack should also look at Dub.
Switching in three steps
- Create your next short link on the iny.one homepage — no account needed for the first ones.
- Add utm_source, utm_medium and utm_campaign in the same form so analytics attribution keeps working.
- Replace old links wherever you control them (bios, posts, printed QR codes) — existing bit.ly links keep redirecting, but on the free plan they show the ad page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bitly's free plan show ads?
Yes — since early 2025, free-plan links show an interstitial preview page that can include advertising, including links created before the change. Removing it requires a paid plan.
Does iny.one show ads?
No. Redirects go straight to the destination on every tier, with no interstitial.
How many free links do I get on iny.one?
5 per month without an account (they expire after 180 days), or 50 per month with a free account — those never expire and include full analytics.
Can I move my existing bit.ly links here?
Short codes can't be transferred between domains on any shortener. Old links keep working; create new ones here going forward and swap links where you control them.
Create your first ad-free short linkOr start from the UTM builder