Best Short.io Alternative
A/B testing, deep links, and unlimited click tracking
Last updated: July 2026
Unlimited links, deep analytics, A/B testing, QR codes, and deep links for 18 native apps, from $12/mo ($9 annual).
Short.io is popular for its generous free tier and strong custom domain support. Flyn adds unlimited tracked clicks, deep links into native apps, and deeper analytics.
Why Look for a Short.io Alternative?
Short.io attracts teams with its generous free tier and strong custom domain support. But the tracked click limits on lower tiers create an invisible ceiling, once you hit the cap, your analytics stop, even though your links keep working. Teams running viral campaigns or high-traffic links find themselves constantly watching click counters. The lack of A/B testing and deep links also limits campaign optimization capabilities that modern marketing teams rely on.
Short.io at a Glance
Short.io homepage (short.io), screenshot captured April 2026
Short.io: Pros & Cons
What Short.io Does Well
- Generous free tier (1,000 links)
- Strong custom domain support
- Good API documentation
- Team collaboration features
Where Short.io Falls Short
- Click limits on Free and Hobby plans
- Analytics limited to higher tiers
Pricing Comparison
Flyn Plans
Short.io Plans
Feature Comparison: Flyn vs Short.io
| Feature | Flyn | Short.io |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Link shortening | ||
| Custom branded domains | 3 on Pro | 1-10 by plan |
| Unlimited links | Pro+ ($18/mo) | |
| Unlimited tracked clicks | Pro+ ($18/mo) | |
| QR code generation | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Click analytics | Deep / real-time | Good |
| City-level geo data | ||
| Period-over-period trends | ||
| Real-time click streams | ||
| Conversion tracking | Included on Pro | 50-200/mo below Pro |
| Advanced | ||
| A/B split testing | All plans | |
| Password-protected links | Pro+ ($18/mo) | |
| Link expiration | Pro+ ($18/mo) | |
| Geo-routing | ||
| Deep links (native apps) | 18 platforms | Team ($48/mo) |
| Link cloaking | Pro+ ($18/mo) | |
| Custom OG metadata | ||
| Retargeting pixels on links | Pro plan | |
| Developer | ||
| REST API | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Chrome extension | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Team workspaces | $4/seat add-on | |
| Marketing | ||
| UTM builder | ||
Why Teams Consider Flyn Over Short.io
Short.io built a strong reputation with a generous free tier and good domain management. However, it caps tracked clicks on lower tiers (50K free, 100K on Hobby) and gates mobile deep links to Team ($48/mo). A/B testing is not gated: Short.io includes it on every plan, Free included. Flyn Pro removes the click caps with unlimited links and unlimited tracked clicks, and includes A/B testing plus deep links for 18 native apps and period-over-period analytics trends at $12/month ($9 annual), versus $18/month for Short.io Pro. Flyn costs less and includes more at a lower tier.
Tracked Click Limits: A Hidden Cost
Short.io's pricing looks competitive until you consider tracked click limits. Their free plan caps at 50K tracked clicks. Hobby at $5/month allows 100K. Pro ($18/month) and Team ($48/month) include unlimited clicks, but if you are on a lower tier and your links go viral, you hit these limits and either lose analytics data or must upgrade. Flyn Pro tracks every click on every link with no cap, $12/month ($9 annual) flat.
Quick Switch
Upload your Short.io export or link list and Flyn previews every link for free, no card needed. Importing needs a paid plan. Start free →
Where Short.io Leads
Flyn Pro includes 3 custom domains and Flyn Free includes 25 links a month; Short.io supports more custom domains per plan (up to 10 on Team) and has mature team workspace features, and its free tier allows 1,000 total links, which is more generous for teams just getting started. Flyn wins on analytics depth and cost efficiency; if your primary need is managing many custom domains with team collaboration today, Short.io has an edge there.
Features Unique to Flyn
Deep links that detect the user's device and open content directly in native apps (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and 15 more). Period-over-period analytics trends for measuring campaign growth. UTM builder for consistent campaign tagging. GDPR-compliant analytics that never store raw IP addresses.
Who Should Choose Flyn vs Short.io?
Choose Flyn if you need unlimited click tracking, A/B testing, deep links for native apps, or if your campaigns regularly generate high traffic that would exceed Short.io's tracked click caps. Short.io is a good fit if you need to manage many custom domains (up to 10) with team workspaces and your click volumes stay within plan limits. If your primary workflow is basic link shortening across multiple brands without A/B testing or deep links, Short.io handles that well.
API and Developer Experience
Both platforms offer REST APIs, but the developer experience differs. Short.io provides a well-documented API with endpoints for link creation, bulk operations, and analytics retrieval. Flyn matches this with a comprehensive REST API and adds webhook events for real-time integration, meaning your systems can react to clicks as they happen rather than polling for data. Flyn also includes a Chrome extension for shortening links without leaving your browser, which Short.io offers as well.
How Short.io Compares to the Other Alternatives
Short.io is not the only option, and the best Short.io alternative depends on what you actually need. Here is how the main contenders compare on entry price, free plan, and who each one fits. Flyn is our pick for most teams on flat-rate value, but we call the honest trade-offs.
| Tool | Cheapest paid plan | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlynOur pick | $9/mo (annual) | 25 links/mo on flyn.to | Best all-round value: unlimited links, A/B testing, deep links, and GDPR-safe analytics at one flat, transparent rate (about 8 EUR / 7 GBP). |
| Short.io | $5/mo | 1,000 links | Generous free tier for custom domains, but analytics run on tracked-click limits rather than truly unlimited. |
| Bitly | $10/mo | 5 links/mo | The most recognized brand with the widest integrations, but per-link caps and analytics gated to the $199/mo Premium tier. |
| Dub | $90/mo | Not on pricing page | Best for teams running an affiliate or creator partner program and paying partners, if the $90/mo entry tier and per-plan link caps suit you. |
| Rebrandly | $11/mo | 10 links/mo | Strong branded-domain management and a domain marketplace, but priced per link so it gets expensive at volume. |
Prices verified July 2026, entry = cheapest paid tier. Link caps and analytics limits are the details that bite at scale, so match the plan to your real monthly link volume, not the headline price.
How to Migrate from Short.io to Flyn
Ask Short.io support to turn on link export (it is off by default), then export each domain as CSV
Create a Flyn account at flyn.to/signup (the import preview is free; importing links and custom domains need a paid plan)
Using your own domain? Add it in Flyn under Settings, Domains before you import, so links on it are recreated there with the same back-halves
Upload the file under Links, Import links: Flyn detects the columns and previews every link for free before anything is created
Add the DNS records Flyn shows under Settings, Domains (a TXT record to prove ownership, then a CNAME to cname.flyn.to, or an A record to 76.76.21.21 for a root domain) and click Verify, so the links imported onto your domain keep working
Check a few links once DNS updates, which usually takes minutes but can take up to 48 hours
What carries over: destinations, titles and tags from your file, and back-halves where they are free. Links on your own domain keep working once they are imported onto it, the domain is verified in Flyn and its DNS points to Flyn. Links on Short.io's shared domains get new Flyn links, mapped old to new in the import report. Click history does not transfer.
Full step-by-step Short.io to Flyn migration guideThe Verdict
Short.io is a solid platform with good domain support and a generous free tier. Flyn is the better choice for teams that need unlimited tracking, A/B testing, deep links, and trend analytics, at 50% less cost. Flyn's pricing is flat and transparent, $12/month, or $9/month billed annually (about 8 EUR / 7 GBP) with no per-link fees or surprise tier jumps, and analytics are GDPR-safe with no raw IP storage plus one-click data export.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flyn cheaper than Short.io?
Yes. Flyn Pro at $12/month, or $9/month billed annually, includes unlimited links and unlimited tracked clicks. Short.io Hobby at $5/month caps you at 2,500 links and 100,000 tracked clicks.
Does Short.io have A/B testing?
Yes. Flyn's equivalent is link rotation, up to 12 weighted destinations with per-destination click reporting, which is a paid feature; Short.io includes A/B testing on every plan including Free, with up to 10 percentage-weighted variations.
Which has better analytics?
Flyn offers deeper analytics: real-time streams, period-over-period trends, and auto-granularity. Short.io provides solid analytics but without trend analysis and with tracked click limits.
Does Short.io support deep links?
Yes, on Team ($48/mo) and above. Flyn includes deep linking to 18 native apps on Pro at $12/month ($9 annual).
Can I migrate from Short.io to Flyn?
Yes. Ask Short.io support to turn on link export (it is off by default), export each domain as CSV, and upload the files to Flyn's importer. Add your domains in Flyn before you import so links are recreated on them with the same paths (the preview shows any that cannot be reused), then point the domains to Flyn: the imported short URLs keep working once each domain is verified in Flyn and its DNS points to Flyn.
Does Short.io limit tracked clicks?
Yes. Short.io caps tracked clicks on every plan: 50K on Free, 100K on Hobby ($5/mo). Pro ($18/mo) and Team ($48/mo) include unlimited clicks. On lower tiers, once you hit the cap, analytics stop while links continue redirecting. Flyn Pro tracks every click with no cap.
Can I use my custom domain with Flyn instead of Short.io?
Absolutely. Add your domain in Flyn, import your links onto it, then point its CNAME record to cname.flyn.to and click Verify. SSL is provisioned automatically, and the short URLs you imported onto that domain keep resolving; any you did not import stop once DNS moves.
Ready to switch from Short.io?
Start with a free account, no credit card required, and preview your import before you pay for anything.