Short.io Shortens Links. Linkly Turns Them Into Marketing Tools.
Short.io has a great free tier for basic shortening. Linkly adds retargeting pixels, link cloaking, device targeting, and Google Sheets feeds — turning every link into a marketing asset.
Free plan available. No credit card required.
Where Linkly Goes Beyond Short.io
Short.io is a solid link shortener. Linkly is a link management platform built for marketers who need retargeting, cloaking, and advanced routing.
Retargeting Pixels
Add Facebook, Google, and TikTok pixels to any shortened link. Build retargeting audiences from every click. Short.io doesn't support retargeting pixels.
Link Cloaking
Hide destination URLs and protect campaigns from competitors. Short.io exposes your destination — Linkly keeps it hidden behind your branded domain.
Google Sheets Feeds
Push live click analytics directly into Google Sheets. Automate reporting without exporting CSVs. Not available on Short.io.
Link Expiration Rules
Set links to expire by date, click count, or schedule. Perfect for flash sales and limited-time offers. Short.io doesn't have link expiration.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Short.io locks deep links and SLA behind the Team plan at $48/mo. Linkly pricing scales by click volume.
Advanced Routing Rules
Combine geo-targeting and device rules on a single link. Short.io has basic geo-targeting but Linkly offers more flexible, layered routing.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly how Linkly and Short.io stack up across every feature that matters.
| Feature |  | Short.io |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Domains | Free on all plans | 5 on free, more on paid |
| Link Cloaking | Built-in | Not available |
| Geo-Targeting | Route by country | Available |
| Device Targeting | Route by device/OS | Not available |
| Retargeting Pixels | Facebook, Google, etc. | Not available |
| A/B Split Testing | Link rotator built-in | Available |
| Link Expiration | Date, clicks, or schedule | Not available |
| Click Analytics | Real-time dashboard | Available |
| QR Codes | Included | Included |
| API Access | All plans | REST + Node SDK |
| UTM Builder | Built-in | Not built-in |
| Google Sheets Feed | Live data export | Not available |
Marketing Features That Short.io Doesn't Have
Short.io is great value for basic shortening. Linkly costs more but includes retargeting pixels, link cloaking, and advanced routing that Short.io doesn't offer.
25k Plan
- 25,000 tracked clicks/mo
- Unlimited links
- Custom domains included
- Link cloaking
- Geo-targeting redirects
- Device targeting
- Retargeting pixels
- A/B split testing
- Link expiration rules
- Google Sheets feed
- Full analytics dashboard
- API access
Pro Plan
Great value for basic shortening, but lacks marketing features
- Unlimited links & clicks
- 10 custom domains
- Click analytics
- Geo-targeting
- A/B split testing
- REST API + Node SDK
- QR codes
- Link cloaking
- Device targeting
- Retargeting pixels
- Link expiration rules
- Google Sheets feed
Linkly also offers a free plan with 500 tracked clicks/mo. See all plans
Trusted by 100,000+ Marketers
Teams and solo marketers choose Linkly for the marketing features Short.io doesn't offer.
“We switched from Short.io to Linkly specifically for retargeting pixels. Being able to add Facebook and TikTok pixels to every shortened link has completely transformed our paid ad strategy.”
Paid Media Manager
DTC Brand
“Link cloaking was the dealbreaker. Our affiliate links look clean under our own domain, CTRs went up, and competitors can't see where we're sending traffic. Short.io just doesn't have that.”
Affiliate Marketer
Performance Marketing
“The Google Sheets integration alone saves me hours every week. Click data flows straight into our reporting spreadsheets — no more manual exports or API scripts.”
Marketing Ops Lead
Agency
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate from Short.io to Linkly?
Yes. You can recreate your short links in Linkly with your own custom domain. If you use a custom domain with Short.io, simply point it to Linkly instead and your existing short URLs will continue to work.
Short.io is cheaper — why choose Linkly?
If you need retargeting pixels, link cloaking, and advanced routing rules, Linkly provides features that Short.io simply doesn't have. Short.io is excellent for basic shortening at a low price, but Linkly is built for marketers who need more control over their links.
Does Linkly have a free plan?
Yes. Linkly offers a free plan with 500 tracked clicks per month and custom domain support.
What about Short.io's developer features?
Linkly also has a full REST API available on all plans. Short.io has a Node SDK which is a nice extra for JavaScript developers, but both platforms offer comprehensive API access for integrations and automation.
Can I use retargeting pixels on shortened links?
Yes. Linkly lets you add Facebook, Google, and TikTok pixels to any shortened link. When someone clicks your link, the pixel fires and adds them to your retargeting audience — even before they reach the destination page.
Ready to Turn Your Links Into Marketing Tools?
Join 100,000+ marketers who use Linkly for retargeting pixels, link cloaking, advanced routing, and more.