y.hn vs Bitly vs TinyURL: Shortest Links Compared

When it comes to URL shorteners, length matters. A shorter link looks cleaner, fits in more places, and — according to research — gets more clicks. But how much shorter can a link actually get?

We put three of the most popular URL shorteners head-to-head: y.hn, Bitly, and TinyURL. We measured real link lengths, compared features, analyzed pricing, and tested performance to answer one question: which shortener gives you the best links?

The Link Length Test

We shortened the same URL on all three platforms to compare the output. Here's what we got:

Original URL:

https://example.com/products/premium-plan?ref=homepage

(55 characters)

Shortened results:

The difference is striking. y.hn produces links that are nearly half the length of Bitly and less than half of TinyURL. On a platform like X where every character matters, those 9-15 extra characters add up fast.

Why the Length Difference?

It comes down to the domain name:

• y.hn = 4 characters (one of the shortest domains on the internet, using the .hn ccTLD from Honduras)
• bit.ly = 6 characters
• tinyurl.com = 11 characters

The slug (the random characters after the domain) adds another 3-7 characters depending on the service. But the domain is the fixed cost you pay on every single link.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Link Creation

y.hn lets you create your first link without even signing up — lowest friction. Bitly requires an account for everything. TinyURL also works without an account but doesn't let you edit links after creation.

Custom slugs are where personalization happens. y.hn/sale is more memorable than y.hn/x7k9. y.hn offers this on Pro ($4.99/mo), Bitly on their $35/mo plan, and TinyURL surprisingly offers it free — though their long domain negates much of the benefit (tinyurl.com/sale is still 16 characters).

Analytics

This is where TinyURL falls behind hard. It was built in 2002 as a simple redirect service and hasn't evolved much. If you need to know anything beyond "how many clicks," TinyURL isn't the tool.

y.hn and Bitly offer comparable analytics: geographic breakdown, device data, referrer sources, and time-based charts. The main difference is price — more on that below.

Bio Pages / Link-in-Bio

y.hn includes a link-in-bio feature where you get a page at y.hn/@yourusername with multiple links. Neither Bitly nor TinyURL offer this. If you currently use Linktree or a similar service alongside your URL shortener, y.hn replaces both with one tool.

API Access

Bitly has the most mature API with the best documentation, but it comes at 7x the price of y.hn's API access. TinyURL offers a basic API for free, but it lacks features like custom slugs and analytics endpoints.

Pricing Breakdown

This is where the comparison gets interesting.

TinyURL

• Free: Unlimited links, custom aliases, no analytics
• Pro ($9.99/mo): Custom domains, analytics, branded links

TinyURL's free tier is generous for basic link shortening. But the long domain and lack of analytics make it unsuitable for professional use.

Bitly

• Free: 10 links/month, basic click count
• Core ($35/mo): 100 links, analytics, custom back-halves
• Growth ($100/mo): 500 links, campaigns, QR codes
• Premium ($250/mo): Unlimited links, enterprise features

Bitly has positioned itself as an enterprise tool. The free tier is practically unusable (10 links/month), and professional features start at $35/month.

y.hn

• Free: 50 links/month, basic stats
• Pro ($4.99/mo): Unlimited links, custom slugs, full analytics, QR codes, bio page, API
• Business ($19.99/mo): Team access (5 members), custom domains, webhooks, priority support

y.hn's Pro plan at $4.99/month includes features that Bitly charges $100+/month for (QR codes, decent link volume, API access). The Business plan at $19.99/month undercuts Bitly's cheapest paid plan.

Price per Feature

Real-World Use Cases

For Social Media Marketers

Winner: y.hn

On X, Instagram bios, and TikTok, link length directly impacts usability. y.hn's 10-character links leave more room for your message. The built-in bio page replaces Linktree. Analytics track performance across platforms.

Bitly works but costs 7x more for equivalent features. TinyURL's 25-character links and lack of analytics make it impractical for professional social media.

For Developers

Winner: y.hn (for value) / Bitly (for documentation)

If you need a URL shortener API integrated into your app, y.hn gives you API access at $4.99/month with 1,000 requests. Bitly's API is better documented but starts at $35/month. TinyURL's API is free but barebones.

For Casual/Personal Use

Winner: TinyURL or y.hn Free

If you just need to shorten a link occasionally with no tracking needs, TinyURL's no-signup experience is hard to beat. y.hn's free tier (50 links/month with basic stats) is a better option if you want even minimal analytics.

For Enterprise

Winner: Bitly

Large organizations with existing Bitly integrations, SSO/SAML requirements, and dedicated account management needs should stay with Bitly. Its enterprise features justify the premium for companies that need them.

For Creators and Small Businesses

Winner: y.hn

The combination of shortest links + bio page + analytics + QR codes at $4.99/month is unbeatable for creators, freelancers, and small businesses. It replaces two or three separate tools (URL shortener + link-in-bio + QR code generator).

Performance and Reliability

We tested redirect speed across all three services:

All three are fast enough that users won't notice a difference. Bitly has a slight edge in raw redirect speed and uptime, which is expected given their enterprise infrastructure investment. But the differences are negligible for practical use.

The Verdict

Choose y.hn if: You want the shortest possible links, the best value for money, and a modern feature set including bio pages and QR codes. Best for creators, marketers, small businesses, and developers.

Choose Bitly if: You're an enterprise with existing integrations, need SSO/SAML, or require dedicated account management. Be prepared to pay significantly more.

Choose TinyURL if: You occasionally need to shorten a link, don't need analytics, and don't want to create an account. Not suitable for professional or regular use.

For most people reading this, y.hn is the clear winner. It produces the shortest links, offers the best features-per-dollar, and includes capabilities (bio pages, QR codes) that neither Bitly nor TinyURL match at any price.

Make the Switch

If you're currently paying $35+/month for Bitly, try y.hn Pro at $4.99/month. Your existing Bitly links will keep working — just start using y.hn for new ones and see the difference.

If you're using TinyURL, upgrade to y.hn free for better analytics and shorter links at no cost.

Get started with y.hn →