Developers tend to reach for Short.io when they want a branded custom domain with a real API behind it. That is Short.io's strongest product angle — BYO domain, solid REST API, webhook-friendly integrations, and the kind of dashboard that makes sense if you think in terms of programmatic link creation. 1URL.at is closer to a product than a platform right now: it prioritizes a clean dashboard, a link-in-bio builder, and privacy-first analytics, with API access still on the roadmap.
That difference shapes who each tool fits. A small agency managing branded short domains for a handful of clients will feel at home on Short.io because domain management and team workspaces are genuinely first-class there. A one-person brand or creator who wants a short link and a bio page from the same place — with cookieless analytics, no analytics cookies, and no fiddling with domain DNS unless they want to — will feel at home on 1URL.at.
At the 24 August 2026 source check, Short.io still runs cookie-based analytics on redirected clicks and gates the fuller analytics features behind paid tiers. 1URL.at's free plan includes cookieless analytics with 14-day retention and country breakdowns, and Premium stretches that to 90 days. The API parity is reversed: Short.io's API is available on more tiers, while 1URL.at's is still on the roadmap. Pick based on which end of the spectrum your workflow lives.
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.
| Feature | 1URL.at | Short.io | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Random short links (free) | Unlimited | Monthly cap on free tier | 1URL |
| Custom branded slugs (free) | 5 slots | Limited on free, varies by tier | 1URL |
| Custom domains (BYO) | Roadmap | Included across paid tiers; free tier limited | Them |
| Domain-level slug namespacing | Username prefix scoping today | Per-domain namespacing is first-class | Them |
| Link-in-bio page builder | 3 pages free, 5 items each | Not a primary product | 1URL |
| Click analytics granularity | Per-day and per-country | Per-day, per-country, per-device | Them |
| Geo breakdown | Country-level | Country + region | Them |
| Device breakdown | Roadmap | Paid tiers | Them |
| Analytics retention (free) | 14 days | Limited window on free | 1URL |
| Analytics retention (paid) | 90 days | Extended on higher tiers | Them |
| UTM support | Pass-through supported | UTM builder on paid tiers | Them |
| REST API access | Roadmap | Available on lower paid tiers | Them |
| Webhooks | Not offered today | Available on paid tiers | Them |
| Team seats / workspaces | Single-user today | Team plans available | Them |
| Password-protected links | Not offered today | Available on paid tiers | Them |
| Link expiration | Supported | Supported on paid tiers | Tie |
| QR codes | Basic QR generation | QR generation on paid tiers | Tie |
| Bulk link operations | CSV import (roadmap) | Bulk via API and CSV | Them |
| Cookieless analytics | Yes, by design | No, cookie-based | 1URL |
| GDPR posture (no analytics cookies) | No analytics cookies; requirements vary | Check the current site configuration | 1URL |
| EU data residency | Cloudflare edge, no raw IP stored | EU data region on higher tiers | 1URL |
| Import tools from competitors | CSV import is on the roadmap | CSV + API import | Them |
| Mobile app | Mobile web first | Mobile web first | Tie |
| Free-plan price | $0 forever | $0 (feature-limited) | 1URL |
| Premium access | Included during launch; no permanent price published | Multiple paid tiers, per-domain pricing on some | Tie |
A qualitative snapshot. Prices change, so the rows focus on plan structure and included features. Registered users currently receive Premium features during launch.
| Plan | 1URL.at | Short.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0, unlimited short links, 5 custom slugs, 3 link pages, 14-day analytics | $0, monthly link cap, limited custom domain use |
| Premium / launch | Launch access includes unlimited slugs, 90-day analytics, and link pages | Lowest paid tier unlocks custom domains and larger quotas |
| Team / Business | Not targeted today | Dedicated team and business tiers with more seats and higher API quotas |
1URL.at is cookieless by design; Short.io's analytics use cookies on redirected clicks.
Raw IP addresses and User-Agents are never persisted by 1URL.at — only country, device class, and a daily-rotating hashed token reach storage.
Short.io runs EU data residency as a paid feature; 1URL.at runs on Cloudflare's global edge and never writes raw identifiers at any tier.
1URL.at sets no analytics cookies and retains no raw IP addresses or user-agent strings.
Both vendors publish privacy policies; consent requirements depend on the complete setup and jurisdiction.
Not a scorecard — both tools are legitimate in their own space. These are the places each one genuinely shines.
Export your existing Short.io links as a CSV — Short.io supports CSV export from the Links section on paid tiers.
Create a free 1URL.at account at /auth/register and verify your email.
CSV import and API access are on the roadmap; use Premium for unlimited custom slugs — otherwise recreate the most important links on the free plan.
Recreate your key custom slugs with the same short names where possible — 1URL.at's username-prefix namespacing gives each account its own slug space.
Keep existing API automation in place. 1URL.at API access is still on the roadmap.
Keep your Short.io domain active for a transition period so in-flight clicks still resolve, then disable new link creation there once you have cut over.
Unlimited short links, 5 custom slugs, 3 link-in-bio pages, 14 days of cookieless analytics. No credit card to start.
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 Short.io's official site at https://short.io.