urlik vs Short.io
How urlik compares to Short.io — features, the free tier, and what each one is best at.
Short.io is a solid, well-known link shortener. urlik is a free, all-in-one alternative: it does the short links and click analytics you expect, then adds QR codes, link-in-bio pages, disposable email, encrypted file transfer and a media downloader — without a subscription just to unlock the basics. Here is how the two line up, feature by feature.
| Feature | urlik | Short.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ~ Limited |
| Use without sign-up | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Custom alias | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| QR codes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Click analytics | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Password-protected links | ✓ Yes | $ Paid |
| Link expiry / self-destruct | ✓ Yes | $ Paid |
| A/B link rotation | ✓ Yes | $ Paid |
| Retargeting pixels | ✓ Yes | $ Paid |
| UTM builder | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Link-in-bio page | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Temporary email | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Encrypted file transfer | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Video downloader | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Developer API | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Custom domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pay with crypto | ✓ Yes | — No |
urlik’s column reflects what the service does today. The Short.io column is our best understanding of a third-party product and can change at any time — always confirm current features and pricing on Short.io.
Should you pick urlik or Short.io?
If all you need is to shorten a link, both do the job. But if you also want QR codes, a bio page, retargeting pixels, temp mail, encrypted file sharing or a video downloader without stacking up subscriptions, urlik hands you the whole toolkit for free — and where Short.io charges for the extras, urlik keeps them open. Try it and judge for yourself.
Try urlik freeurlik vs Short.io — quick questions
The short version of how urlik and Short.io differ.
Is urlik a free Short.io alternative?
Yes. urlik’s core — short links, custom aliases, QR codes and click analytics — is free with no account required, whereas Short.io puts several of these behind paid plans.
Can I switch from Short.io to urlik?
You can start using urlik for new links right away. Your existing Short.io links keep working on their side; urlik doesn’t import them automatically, but creating fresh short links takes seconds.
What does urlik do that Short.io doesn’t?
Beyond shortening, urlik bundles disposable email, end-to-end encrypted file transfer, a social-media video downloader, link-in-bio pages and crypto payments — tools most shorteners, Short.io included, don’t offer at all.