Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ShortForward VS Short.io

Compare ShortForward VS Short.io and see what are their differences

ShortForward logo ShortForward

⚡️ Instant shortlinks - cheap and reliable.

Short.io logo Short.io

Short.io makes short links (vanity urls) on your own domain. Free signup, analytics and API. Chrome, slack, zapier and segment integrations.
  • ShortForward Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-02-07

I built ShortForward because I was looking for a simple link shortener. Checking out the leading provider in this area, I found that they require a monthly/yearly subscription, which I find ridiculous, especially given that the cheapest monthly plan costs 35$ per month. So I built ShortForward to provide a solution for myself, first and foremost.

  • Short.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05

ShortForward features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Short.io features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Short.io features an intuitive user interface, making it easy for users to create, customize, and manage shortened URLs.
  • Custom Domains
    Users can connect their own domains to create branded short links, which can enhance branding and trust.
  • Detailed Analytics
    Provides comprehensive analytics on link performance, including click rates, geographic distribution, and referrer information.
  • Link Management
    Offers robust link management features, such as the ability to edit URLs after they've been created, set expiration dates, and organize links into folders.
  • Integration
    Supports integration with various third-party services like Zapier, Google Analytics, and Slack, making it adaptable to different workflows.
  • Security
    Provides features like password protection and SSL encryption to ensure the security of your links.

Possible disadvantages of Short.io

  • Pricing
    Some advanced features are only available in the paid plans, which might be too costly for small businesses or individual users.
  • Limited Free Plan
    The free plan comes with limitations on the number of custom domains and links that can be created, which may not be sufficient for heavy users.
  • Learning Curve
    While generally user-friendly, some advanced features and integrations may require a bit of a learning curve for new users.
  • Support
    Customer support may not be very responsive on the free plan, potentially leading to delays in resolving issues.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ShortForward and Short.io)
URL Shortener
5 5%
95% 95
Link Management
5 5%
95% 95
Branded URLs
6 6%
94% 94
Social Media Tools
8 8%
92% 92

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ShortForward and Short.io

ShortForward Reviews

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Short.io Reviews

Top 10 Bitly alternatives and competitors in 2025
Initially launched as short.cm, to be rebranded from Short.cm to Short.io to reflect its broader vision and global reach better. The platform expanded its features to meet these needs, introducing capabilities like geo-targeting, link expiration rules, branded QR codes, and advanced analytics.
Source: blog.replug.io
10 Excellent Google URL Shortener Alternatives
Short.io has a free plan with basic features. However, to access advanced analytics, you must upgrade to one of their paid plans—Personal ($19/month), Team ($49/month), or Enterprise ($149/month). You can also choose annual billing and get a 17% discount.
Source: bitly.com
07 Best Bitly Alternative You Will Only Need (FREE)
Short.io is one of the best URL shortening alternatives available, and it’s free too!? If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to shorten your URLs, Short.io is definitely worth considering. Not only is it free to use, but it also offers a wide range of features that make it one of the most powerful URL shortening tools out there.
11 Best Bitly Alternatives & Similar URL Shorteners
As mentioned earlier, there are a series of bit ly alternatives out there. And if you are looking for one of the best, Short.io is definitely another name you should consider. Just like other best alternatives for link shorteners, you can monitor the performance of each link.
Top 8 Alternatives of Bit.Ly in 2023
Another effective custom domain URL shortener is Short.io. It furnishes its link-shortening services in your own domain. It is popular because of its quick customer support and affordable prices. Moreover, Short.io furnishes detailed statistics for domain and short links.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Short.io seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ShortForward mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ShortForward yet. Tracking of ShortForward recommendations started around Aug 2024.

Short.io mentions (8)

  • URL shorteners and why would you need one?
    Choose a shortener: Pick a link shortener that fits your needs---many offer options like custom branding, QR code creation, and analytics. Ziplink, Short.io, and Bitly are all capable of that. If you are looking for something really simple, you may want to check out TinyURL as well. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • What’s the best way to share video with a single-use link?
    Same, but a little more elegant is short.io. It's a link shortener, but with a $19/month plan you can add a ton of customization to your links. One of those being limit on clicks. Same problem here that the file is still hosted elsewhere and available if they happen to copy the URL from the address bar. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • We've built our startup's app entirely using Glide & Integromat
    Can I ask you how you have integrated short.io into your app? Via Zapier or API? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Compatibility with Short.io
    Just tried it and https://short.io only allows domains that end with specific TLDs (ICANN's list). So while nothing in Handshake is blocking the service, the service needs to loosen up the restrictions to be able to link handshake names. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Someone on here posted a link to their podcast a few months ago and apologized for it being a linktree. Is that bad?
    Https://short.io on their free tier you can make a smart link like listen.yourdomain.com that sends an apple mobile user to your podcast on iOS, an android mobile user to your podcast on google's podcast app, and a desktop/laptop browser to your website. Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ShortForward and Short.io, you can also consider the following products

Bitly - Get the most out of your social and online marketing efforts. Own, understand and activate your best audience through the power of the link with Bitly Enterprise.

Ziplink.click - Link and QR code tracking with analytics

Rebrandly - Rebrandly is the easiest way to create, share and manage branded links.

TinyURL - Are you sick of posting URLs in emails only to have it break when sent causing the recipient to...

SimpleURL - SimpleURL.tech streamlines URL management. Search Bookmarks, Personalised URL Shortner & Link Shortner, Easily Share Short URLs with your team. Make important links and information easily accessible to boost team productivity.

PixelMe - URL shortener for savvy marketers