Rebrandly and Bitly are two of the most recognized link management platforms on the market. Both shorten links and track campaign performance, but they serve very different needs.
Rebrandly focuses on businesses and enterprises that need brand control, security compliance, and the ability to scale. You get custom-branded domains, detailed analytics, and enterprise-grade security standards. Bitly works well for individuals and businesses who want basic link shortening and click tracking without much complexity.
If you need reliable link infrastructure that grows with your business, Rebrandly is built for that. If you're shortening links for social posts and want simple click data, Bitly can handle it.
Here's how they compare across features, pricing, security, integrations, and more.
Feature comparison: Rebrandly vs. Bitly
Here's what each platform offers:
Both platforms shorten URLs, but they take different approaches to link management.
Link management and custom domain support
Rebrandly converts standard URLs into secure, branded assets that strengthen your digital identity. You can create custom domains, generate branded QR codes, and scale link creation through APIs and bulk operations. Branded links get up to 39% more clicks than generic short URLs. Route traffic based on location, device type, language, and more.
Both platforms require paid plans for advanced features. The key difference is how much you get at each tier. Rebrandly includes custom domains starting at the Essentials plan ($13/month), while Bitly reserves branded links for higher tiers. Rebrandly also offers unlimited branded domains on paid plans, while Bitly limits how many you can use even after upgrading.
Bitly focuses on simplicity—the free plan uses the generic bit.ly shortener, which is quick to set up but offers basic functionality. Links generate fast, and the platform is straightforward for casual users.
Rebrandly also supports:
- Bulk link creation and editing for campaigns with thousands of URLs
- Custom URL slugs to create memorable, keyword-relevant link text
- Full API integration to connect your bulk link generation
Data analytics & link tracking
Tracking link performance helps you understand audience behavior and optimize marketing efforts. Both Rebrandly and Bitly offer analytics, but the depth and data retention vary by plan.
Rebrandly's analytics capabilities
Rebrandly's analytics system measures link performance with detailed metrics about audience behavior, geographic reach, and device preferences. The platform maintains SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliance while tracking clicks.
Through aggregated reporting, you can analyze performance by domain, tag, and workspace. The system captures visitor behavior including browser types, operating systems, and peak activity periods. Data is available through standardized dashboards that simplify campaign evaluation.
Rebrandly also includes a UTM builder to standardize campaign tracking across teams. Advanced options like server-to-server data streams support enterprise reporting needs. The platform tracks links across social media, email, SMS, and offline channels.
You can export data, create custom reports, and integrate analytics into existing dashboards through APIs and webhooks.
Bitly's analytics capabilities
Bitly's analytics provide real-time click tracking, including engagement metrics, geographic data, device type, and referral channels. Free plans show only total clicks—more detailed breakdowns require premium tiers. You can track referral channels and top-performing links through their analytics dashboard.
Data retention is limited by tier: 30 days on Core, 4 months on Growth, and 1 year on Premium. For teams needing long-term analysis, this means either upgrading or manually exporting data regularly.
Rebrandly vs. Bitly pricing comparison
Compare Rebrandly and Bitly pricing plans to find the best fit for your business—whether you need basic link management or enterprise-grade features.
The key difference: Rebrandly includes custom domains starting on the free plan, while Bitly requires upgrading to Growth ($29/mo) for branded links. Bitly's free plan also includes interstitial advertisements that cannot be removed without upgrading. Rebrandly's paid plans bundle more custom domains per tier—Professional includes 3 domains vs Bitly Growth's 1 domain.
Understanding plan limitations
Both platforms have feature limits that vary by tier. Here's what to consider:
Custom domains:
- Rebrandly includes 1 domain on free plans, scaling to 10 domains on Growth tier
- Bitly offers custom domains starting at Growth tier with 1 domain included
Link editing:
- Rebrandly includes destination editing on paid plans (10-50 edits/mo depending on tier)
- Bitly includes link redirects starting at Core tier
Landing pages:
- Bitly includes landing pages starting on free tier (2-20 pages depending on tier)
- Rebrandly offers Link Gallery, customizable self-hosted link sharing pages for social media
ROI considerations for different business sizes
Small businesses: Bitly's $10/mo Core plan works for basic link shortening and simple click tracking. However, branded links require upgrading to Growth at $29/mo. Rebrandly's free plan includes custom domains immediately, and the Essentials plan ($13/mo) adds link editing and expanded analytics.
Growing teams and agencies: At the Professional tier ($32/mo), Rebrandly includes Teammates, Workspaces, 3 branded domains, and analytics on 25K clicks/mo. Agencies managing multiple client brands get more domains per dollar compared to Bitly's single domain at the Growth tier ($29/mo).
Enterprises: Large organizations need compliance certifications, scalability, and deep integrations. Rebrandly's enterprise tier includes SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance, unlimited branded domains, and enterprise-grade APIs. Bitly's Enterprise plan offers similar security features including SSO logins and advanced user permissions.
The choice depends on your priorities. If you need just basic shortening, Bitly's lower entry price works. If branded links, team collaboration, and compliance matter from day one, Rebrandly's structure delivers more value at comparable price points.
Ease of use and platform setup requirements
Both platforms are straightforward to set up, but the timeline depends on your goals.
Bitly's setup is nearly instant—create an account, paste a URL, and generate a short link in seconds. This works well for casual or small-scale use.
Rebrandly also handles basic shortening quickly, but full team implementation involves additional steps like configuring branded domains, setting up workspaces, and assigning permissions. These steps typically take a few hours to a few days depending on IT involvement.
Interface comparison
Both platforms offer clean, modern dashboards with different focuses:
Bitly's interface is minimalist. Link shortening is front and center, with advanced features tucked into menus.
Rebrandly's interface balances simplicity with depth. You can shorten links quickly but also access analytics, branded domains, teammates, and routing rules without digging through multiple menus.
Both platforms provide documentation and support resources. Rebrandly offers comprehensive onboarding documentation and customer success support for enterprise accounts. Bitly provides email support with priority support available on higher tiers.
Customer ratings for usability
On review sites like G2 and Capterra, both platforms score well for ease of use. Rebrandly tends to rate higher among professional users who need branded domains, analytics, and team collaboration. Bitly earns strong marks for simplicity and quick setup.
On Trustpilot, Rebrandly scores 3.3 out of 5 stars compared to Bitly's 1.5, reflecting stronger customer satisfaction among users evaluating link management platforms.
Integrations and scalability
Both platforms connect with popular marketing and productivity tools through native integrations and APIs.
Rebrandly integrations
Rebrandly offers dozens of native integrations and limitless connections via webhooks.
View the complete list of integrations.
Rebrandly's API and webhooks support bulk link creation, traffic routing, branded domains, and detailed analytics retrieval. Organizations use it to generate large volumes of custom links while maintaining brand consistency.
Bitly integrations
Bitly supports 50+ integrations, including WordPress plugin, browser extensions, and automation tools like Zapier, Buffer, and Twilio.
Bitly's API handles link shortening, expanding, and basic analytics retrieval. It works for straightforward automation needs. Learn more about Bitly API features and limitations.
Customer support and resources
Both platforms offer support options that scale with plan tier.
Rebrandly support includes:
- Email support across all plans
- 24/7 support for enterprise accounts
- Dedicated account managers for enterprise customers
- Knowledge base with technical documentation
- Developer hub with API guides
- Educational content and onboarding resources
Bitly support includes:
- Email support on all plans
- Priority support on higher-tier plans
- Documentation for basic use cases
- API documentation
For organizations where quick resolution of technical issues or compliance questions is critical, Rebrandly's enterprise support provides more direct access to technical resources.
Use case scenarios
Different teams need different features from their link management platform.
Enterprise and large marketing teams
Rebrandly's enterprise tier includes unlimited branded domains, workspace collaboration, and extensive data retention. Marketing teams can scale campaigns without hitting link or domain limits.
Compliance certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR), advanced permissions, and dedicated account management make it viable for industries like healthcare, finance, and retail where uptime and data protection are required. The platform offers priority support and dedicated success managers for enterprise customers.
Bitly serves enterprise clients with security features like SSO logins and user permissions. However, businesses often encounter restrictions including limited branded domains, capped analytics history, and fewer automation options.
When to choose Rebrandly
- Enterprise marketing programs requiring SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance
- Marketing teams who need branded domains to build trust and improve click-through rates
- Agencies managing multiple clients with distinct branding
- Teams needing advanced analytics, traffic routing, and automation
When to choose Bitly
- Individuals or small businesses with basic link shortening needs
- Social media managers tracking top-level clicks
- Budget-conscious teams that don't need branded domains or compliance
- Users who value landing page creation alongside link shortening
How to switch from Bitly to Rebrandly
Self-serve migration
For self-service migration, follow these steps:
- Export your Bitly links - Download your existing links from Bitly as a CSV file
- Format your CSV - Edit the file to match Rebrandly's import format
- Add your domain to Rebrandly - Connect your domain but skip DNS updates initially so links continue working on Bitly
- Import your links in bulk - Upload your CSV file to create all links in Rebrandly
- Update DNS settings - Point your domain to Rebrandly's servers (links continue working during DNS propagation)
- Add metadata - Edit imported links to add titles, tags, and other details
View detailed migration instructions
Enterprise migration support
For larger accounts or custom migration needs:
- Review Rebrandly's pricing page to find the right plan
- Book a demo with our team to discuss migration strategy and custom solutions
- Work with your dedicated account manager to plan and execute the migration
Note that during DNS propagation, your links continue to function—some users reach Bitly while others reach Rebrandly until the transition completes.
Rebrandly vs. Bitly: Make the right choice for your team
Rebrandly and Bitly serve different needs in the link management space.
Choose Rebrandly if you need custom branded domains (available on free plan), compliance certifications like SOC 2 Type II or HIPAA, team collaboration features, and detailed analytics. The platform works for businesses that view links as brand assets requiring long-term tracking and management.
Choose Bitly if you want straightforward link shortening with landing page creation, need basic analytics, and prefer a lower entry price for casual use.
The decision comes down to what you need from your links. For businesses where brand trust, security compliance, and scalability matter, Rebrandly provides the infrastructure. For individuals and small teams focused on simple shortening and social sharing, Bitly handles the basics.
FAQ
Q: Which platform is better for enterprises?
A: Rebrandly offers SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance, unlimited branded domains, and dedicated enterprise support. Bitly provides enterprise features like SSO and user permissions but with more limited domain options.
Q: Which is cheaper for casual use?
A: Bitly's Core plan starts at $10/mo, while Rebrandly's Essentials is $13/mo. However, Rebrandly includes custom domains on the free plan, while Bitly requires upgrading to Growth ($29/mo) for branded links.
Q: Can I use multiple custom domains?
A: Rebrandly supports 1-10 custom domains depending on your plan tier, with unlimited domains available on enterprise plans. Bitly includes 1 custom domain starting at the Growth tier.
Q: Do both offer analytics?
A: Yes. Both platforms offer analytics with varying data retention periods by tier. Bitly's data retention: 30 days on Core, 4 months on Growth, and 1 year on Premium.
Q: What about link editing after creation?
A: Rebrandly includes link destination editing on all paid plans (10-50 edits per month depending on tier). Bitly offers link redirects starting at the Core tier.
