Managed hosting
Self-hosting Kutt means running a server, database and updates. Hosted tools remove that work.
Kutt Alternatives: 23 URL Shorteners and Link Tools Compared
Kutt is an open-source URL shortener. If you want a managed service, more tools in one dashboard, or a different self-hosted option, compare 23 alternatives here.
Quick answer: which Kutt alternative fits?
Kutt is an open-source (MIT) shortener with custom domains, analytics, password protection and a REST API. The right alternative depends on what you need most.
- Self-hosting: Shlink and YOURLS are free to host yourself.
- Branded links as a service: Bitly, Rebrandly, Cuttly and Short.io.
- Links, QR codes, bio pages and more together: QuitURL.
Why people look for Kutt alternatives
More than short links
Teams often also need QR codes, bio pages or file sharing, and prefer one dashboard.
Team and limits
Seats, click limits, data retention and API rate limits differ a lot between tools.
Pricing fit
Plans range from free self-hosting to enterprise contracts. Compare limits, not just headline price.
Kutt alternatives by category
Descriptive groups, not a ranking. Each tool is listed once in the table below.
Open source and self-hosted
Kutt, YOURLS, Shlink, Dub, Pretty Links
You run it or extend it. Best for developers who want control over data.
Branded-link platforms
Bitly, Rebrandly, Cuttly, Short.io, BL.INK, Tiny.cc, TinyURL, T.LY
Hosted, custom-domain focused, mostly tiered by link volume.
Marketing and attribution
Replug, Switchy, Linkly, ClickMeter, Geniuslink
Pixels, campaign tracking and affiliate workflows.
Bio pages and QR codes
Linktree, Beacons, QR TIGER
Strong in one format; usually not a full link manager.
Simple and free
is.gd, Ow.ly
Light utilities for quick, low-volume sharing.
Kutt alternatives comparison table
Kutt and QuitURL are shown first. Pricing signals are summaries from public sources; confirm current limits on each vendor's website.
| Tool | Type | Pricing signal | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kutt (reference) | Open-source shortener | Free to self-host; hosted service at kutt.it | Custom domains, analytics, password links, API |
| QuitURL Get Started | Six-tool link platform | From $4.44/mo, or $2.75/mo billed yearly | Links, dynamic QR, barcodes, bio pages, file hosting, SMS |
| Bitly | Branded links, QR codes, landing pages | Free: 5 links/mo. Core from $10/mo (annual billing) | Custom domains start on the Growth plan |
| Cuttly | Shortener with QR and bio pages | Free: 30 links/mo. Paid from $12/mo | Branded domains, QR codes, link-in-bio, API |
| Rebrandly | Branded link management | Paid plans; see vendor pricing | Built around custom domains and APIs |
| TinyURL | General-purpose shortener | Free tier; paid plans | Branded domains via paid plans |
| Short.io | Custom-domain shortener | Free and paid plans | Team features, API, link import and export |
| Dub | Open-source link management | Free and paid plans | Developer-oriented, analytics and API |
| BL.INK | Enterprise link management | Pricing not clearly published | Enterprise-oriented branded links |
| Replug | Marketing links and retargeting | Paid plans | Retargeting pixels, bio links, QR codes |
| Switchy | Marketing links | Free and paid plans | Retargeting pixels and link-in-bio |
| Linkly | Link tracking and shortening | Free tier: 100 links, 500 tracked clicks/mo (vendor blog) | Includes a Bitly import tool |
| T.LY | URL shortener | Free and paid plans | API and branded-domain options |
| Tiny.cc | URL shortener | Free and paid plans | Click tracking and branded domains |
| Geniuslink | Affiliate link management | Paid plans | Geo-localization and deep links |
| ClickMeter | Link monitoring | Paid plans | Campaign tracking and conversion tracking |
| YOURLS | Self-hosted, open source | Free (you host it) | PHP, extended through plugins |
| Shlink | Self-hosted, open source | Free (you host it) | REST API and web client |
| Linktree | Link-in-bio pages | Free and paid plans | Bio pages, not a full link manager |
| Beacons | Creator bio pages | Free and paid plans | Creator pages and storefronts |
| QR TIGER | QR code generator | Free and paid plans | Focused on dynamic QR codes |
| Ow.ly | Social publishing shortener | Tied to Hootsuite | Short links inside social workflows |
| is.gd | Minimal free shortener | Free | No-account use, simple API |
| Pretty Links | WordPress link plugin | Free and paid tiers | Shortening and affiliate-link cloaking |
Where QuitURL fits
QuitURL combines AI-powered link shortening, dynamic QR codes, barcodes, link-in-bio pages, secure file hosting and SMS marketing in one dashboard, so teams are not stitching together separate subscriptions.
Short links and domains
Custom aliases and UTM tagging on every plan. Branded domains: 3 on Pro, 11 on Business.
Dynamic QR codes
Edit the destination after printing. Custom logo on QR codes starts on Pro.
Targeting and testing
Geo, device and language targeting plus A/B testing and rotator, on Pro and Business.
Teams and API
Developer API from Growth (33 requests/min). Team members: 3 on Growth, 11 on Pro, 99 on Business.
QuitURL plans
| Plan | Monthly | Per month, billed yearly | Lifetime | Highlights | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $4.44 | $2.75 | $88 | Short links 108/mo, clicks 50,000/mo, QR 33/mo, 51 bio pages | Choose Starter |
| Growth | $11.11 | $9.25 | $333 | Links 500/mo, clicks 1M/mo, API, SMS, 3 team members | Choose Growth |
| Pro | $22.22 | $18.50 | $555 | Links 2,000/mo, unlimited clicks, 3 branded domains, geo/device targeting | Choose Pro |
| Business | $77.77 | $64.75 | $2,222 | Links 20,000/mo, 11 branded domains, 99 team members | Choose Business |
Kutt alternatives FAQ
What is Kutt?
Kutt is an open-source (MIT) URL shortener with custom domains, link analytics, password-protected links, expiration and a REST API. You can self-host it or use the hosted service at kutt.it.
Why look for a Kutt alternative?
Common reasons are wanting a managed service instead of self-hosting, QR codes and bio pages in the same dashboard, team seats, or different pricing and limits. Hosted Kutt plans and limits change, so check kutt.it for current details.
What are the best Kutt alternatives?
It depends on the job. Shlink and YOURLS are self-hosted. Bitly, Rebrandly, Cuttly and Short.io are hosted branded-link platforms. QuitURL combines short links, dynamic QR codes, barcodes, bio pages, file hosting and SMS in one dashboard.
Is there a free Kutt alternative?
Yes. YOURLS and Shlink are free to self-host, and several hosted tools such as Cuttly, Bitly and Linkly have free tiers with limits. QuitURL's pricing page also describes a free plan with usage limits.
Does QuitURL support custom domains and an API?
According to the QuitURL pricing page, branded domains are included on Pro (3) and Business (11), and the developer API is included from Growth (33 requests/min) up.
How much does QuitURL cost?
Starter is $4.44/month billed monthly or $2.75/month billed yearly ($33). Growth, Pro and Business are also listed with monthly, yearly and one-time lifetime pricing in the table above.
Ready to try a Kutt alternative?
Start with the Starter plan and build your first tracked link, QR code or bio page in the same dashboard. Cancel anytime.
Get Started with QuitURL