Which URL Shortener is best?

When at conferences and other learning events, I see lots of people using a variety of different URL Shorteners and QR Code creators. Β I started to wonder… which is the best? Β Here’s a chart to help you decide…

After the chart, my conclusions and thoughts…

bitly goo.gl

tiny.cctiny.cc

tinyURLtinyurl

QR Codes πŸ˜” πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ˜”
Customize Links πŸ‘ πŸ˜” πŸ‘ πŸ‘
Stores your shortened URLs πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ˜”
See URL use Statistics πŸ‘Β (their analytics are richer) πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ˜”
Edit destination link after creation? πŸ˜” πŸ˜” πŸ‘ πŸ˜”
Edit shortened link after creation? πŸ˜” πŸ˜” πŸ‘ πŸ˜”
IFTTT Integration? πŸ‘ πŸ˜” πŸ˜” πŸ˜”
Chrome Extension or Bookmarklet? Both Both Bookmarklet Bookmarklet (also some unofficial Chrome Extensions)
Mobile App? iOS & Android Unofficial ones on Android & iOS πŸ˜” πŸ˜”
Option to Preview Links to make sure they’re safe? πŸ‘ (add a + to the end of the link) πŸ‘ (add + to the end of the link πŸ‘ (add an = sign to the end of the tiny.cc link) πŸ‘ (add β€œpreview” in front of tiny.url)
Subdirectory forwarding? πŸ˜” πŸ˜” πŸ‘ πŸ‘

My Conclusion:Β Years ago, I used TinyURL, but it clearly now is the inferior option. Β Most people use Goo.gl, but I think it’s clear that it’s the 3rd best of this crew (no link customization!? Β Really, Google!?).

The decision comes down to Bitly or TinyCC. Β Based on the chart above, I think that TinyCC gets the edge. Β However, I’ve been a Bitly user for a few years and I love their interface & analytics. Β I’m not sure if I can quit Bitly. Β However, if you’re a QR Code person (I’m not) – TinyCC is the clear winner.

If you notice something inaccurate in this post or the chart above – please comment below or message me @JakeMillerTech so that I can fix it!

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Jake Miller

Jake is the host of the Educational Duct Tape podcast, the #EduGIF Guy, a Tech Integration Coach, speaker, Former STEM, Math & Science Teacher, and a presenter.