Comparison

1URL.at vs Bitly: free URL shortener comparison (2026)

Bitly set the template for commercial link shorteners and remains strong on integrations, enterprise controls, and custom domains. 1URL.at focuses on a useful free tier, built-in link pages, and analytics that set no analytics cookies. Registered users currently receive Premium features during launch, but 1URL.at does not publish a permanent Premium price.

This comparison focuses on what each product offers, how the limits differ, and which workflow each one fits. Bitly has a mature API and enterprise feature set. 1URL.at keeps the product smaller and lists API access and custom domains on the roadmap.

Feature comparison

Side by side across the details people check first. This comparison was verified on 2026-08-24; competitor pricing and limits can change, so confirm them before switching.

Feature1URL.atBitlyEdge
Monthly short-link cap (free)UnlimitedCapped per month1URL
Random short linksUnlimited on all plansUnlimited on paid tiers1URL
Custom branded slugs (free)5 includedPaid-only1URL
Link-in-bio page builder3 pages free, unlimited paidBasic Bitly Page, limited free1URL
Click analytics granularityPer-day and per-countryPer-day, per-country, per-deviceThem
Geo breakdownCountry-level, cookielessCountry + some region, cookie-basedThem
Device breakdownRoadmapMobile/desktop split on paid tiersThem
Analytics retention (free)14 daysLimited window, paid extends it1URL
Analytics retention (paid)90 daysExtended on EnterpriseThem
UTM builder / parametersPass-through supportedBuilt-in UTM builder on paidThem
API accessRoadmapPaid tiers, well documentedThem
Team seatsSingle-user focused todayTeam/Enterprise plansThem
Password-protected linksNot offeredNot publicly offered at free tierTie
Link expirationSupportedSupported on paid tiers1URL
QR codesBasic QR generationQR generation with stylingThem
Bulk link operationsCSV import (roadmap)Bulk shortening on paid tiersTie
Cookieless analyticsYes, by designNo, cookie-based1URL
GDPR posture (no analytics cookies)No analytics cookies; requirements varyCheck the current site configuration for EU traffic1URL
EU data residencyCloudflare edge, no raw IP storedNot publicly documented at free tier1URL
Free-plan price$0 forever$0 (feature-limited)1URL
Premium accessIncluded during launch; no permanent price publishedMultiple paid tiersTie
Import tools from competitorsCSV import is on the roadmapImport via CSV/APITie
Mobile appMobile web first, no native appMobile apps availableThem
Uptime SLACloudflare-backed best effortSLA on EnterpriseThem
Support channelEmail supportEmail, chat on paid tiersThem

Pricing comparison

A qualitative snapshot. Prices change, so the rows focus on plan structure and included features. Registered users currently receive Premium features during launch.

Plan1URL.atBitly
Free$0, unlimited short links, 5 custom slugs, 3 link pages, 14-day analytics$0, monthly link cap, basic analytics window
Premium / launchLaunch access includes unlimited custom slugs, link pages, and 90-day analyticsCore paid tier, higher entry price, per-seat pricing kicks in on teams
Team / EnterpriseNot targeted today — Premium is single-user focusedDedicated Team and Enterprise tiers with SSO, bulk seats, SLA

Privacy differences

  • 1URL.at runs cookieless analytics by design — no tracking cookies are set on visitors of your short links or link pages.

  • Review Bitly's current cookie and privacy documentation for the plan and integrations you use.

  • 1URL.at never stores raw visitor IP addresses or User-Agent strings in its database; only a daily-rotating hashed visitor identifier is kept, and that salt expires after ~24 hours.

  • Bitly, as a US-based company, falls under US data-transfer regimes; enterprise customers can negotiate DPAs but the free tier does not guarantee EU residency.

  • Both services log clicks to generate analytics; 1URL.at's logging is limited to country, device class, and the hashed visitor — Bitly's logging is broader by default.

Honest pros and pros

Not a scorecard — both tools are legitimate in their own space. These are the places each one genuinely shines.

Why 1URL.at

  • Unlimited random short links on the free plan — no monthly caps.
  • Analytics set no analytics cookies and retain no raw IP addresses or user-agent strings. Consent requirements depend on the site and jurisdiction.
  • Five custom slugs included on the free plan; Bitly reserves custom slugs for paid tiers.
  • Link-in-bio page builder included on the same plan — no separate Bitly Pages product to upsell.
  • Transparent flat pricing: a single Premium upgrade, not a ladder of tiers that get pricier per seat.
  • Raw IP addresses are never persisted — GDPR-friendly by architecture, not by add-on.

Why Bitly

  • Mature REST API with extensive documentation and a well-supported SDK ecosystem.
  • Strong brand recognition — procurement teams already know Bitly, so it is an easy sell in enterprise contexts.
  • Team and Enterprise plans offer SSO, audit logs, and SLA guarantees that indie tools cannot match yet.
  • Integrated UTM builder and QR code styling tools that are more polished than what 1URL.at currently ships.
  • Native mobile apps for iOS and Android that make on-the-go link management easier.

How to migrate from Bitly

  1. 1

    Export your existing links from Bitly — paid plans allow a CSV export under Settings → Export Links; free plans may need to export per-dashboard page.

  2. 2

    Create a free 1URL.at account at /auth/register and verify your email.

  3. 3

    Recreate the five highest-volume links manually. CSV import remains on the roadmap.

  4. 4

    Reserve any custom slug keywords you cared about on Bitly by creating them as custom slugs on 1URL.at — the free plan includes 5 slots.

  5. 5

    If you used Bitly Pages for a link-in-bio, recreate it as a 1URL.at link page under /dashboard/link-pages — the free plan allows 3 pages with up to 5 items each.

  6. 6

    Update your social profiles and ad campaigns to point at the new short URLs. Leave the Bitly links active for a transition period so referrers redirect cleanly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import my Bitly links into 1URL.at?
Bitly supports CSV export on paid plans, but 1URL.at does not yet support CSV import. Recreate active links manually until that roadmap feature ships. On the free plan you would recreate the handful of links you actually still use by hand.
Will my existing Bitly short links keep working if I switch?
Yes. Switching to 1URL.at does not break your existing bit.ly URLs — Bitly continues to host them until you deactivate your account. For cleanest attribution, leave them live for a transition window while you update downstream embeds and then retire them.
Is 1URL.at really free, or does it upsell like Bitly's free tier?
The free tier is intentionally useful on its own: unlimited random short links, 5 custom slugs, 3 link-in-bio pages, and 14 days of analytics. Premium adds longer retention, more custom slugs, and premium builder styling — but nothing about the free plan is artificially time-limited or trial-based.
How does 1URL.at handle analytics data?
1URL.at sets no analytics cookies and retains no raw IP addresses or user-agent strings. A daily-rotating salted hash supports within-day counting. Consent requirements depend on the site, other technologies, and jurisdiction.
Does 1URL.at offer team seats like Bitly?
Not yet. 1URL.at is currently focused on individual creators and small operators. If you need SSO, audit logs, or bulk team management today, Bitly's Team and Enterprise plans will serve you better.

Keep reading

Related article on the 1URL.at blog

Try 1URL.at with a free account

Unlimited short links, 5 custom slugs, 3 link-in-bio pages, 14 days of cookieless analytics. No credit card to start.

Create free accountSee pricing

Official sources

Last checked August 24, 2026.

Competitor names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners. This comparison reflects the official sources above as of its last checked date and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For the most current limits, features, and pricing, consult Bitly's official site at https://bitly.com.