TinyURL API: Features, Alternatives, and How It Compares

The TinyURL API gives developers a way to incorporate URL shortening and link management right into their apps.

You’ve probably used TinyURL before – it’s been around forever and does exactly what it says on the tin. Both the TinyURL API and Rebrandly tackle the same basic problem: turning long, messy URLs into something manageable. If all you need is quick and dirty link shortening, the TinyURL API will do the job. But if you want your URLs to actually work for your brand, with custom domains, detailed analytics, and proper compliance like GDPR–then Rebrandly’s the way to go.

Let’s dig into what the TinyURL API actually offers and see how it measures up against other url shortener options.

Why Rebrandly beats TinyURL (most of the time)

Look, the TinyURL API isn’t bad. It’s just… basic. When you’re choosing a url shortener, you want something that gives you bang for your buck, and that’s where Rebrandly shines.

Rebrandly’s API can handle everything from simple one-off links to massive enterprise setups. We’re talking about powering SMS campaigns for airlines and telecom companies while keeping everything locked down tight with security compliance. Whether you’re a solo marketer or part of a huge team, it just works better.

What makes Rebrandly different

Custom branded domains: Every shortened URL becomes a mini billboard for your brand. Instead of some random short URL, people see your company name.

Analytics that actually help: Track what’s working, figure out where your audience is coming from, and make smarter decisions based on real data.

API that doesn’t suck: Easy to integrate, flexible enough for whatever weird requirements your dev team throws at it.

Simple interface: You don’t need a computer science degree to figure it out. Marketers and developers both love it.

Domain control: Manage all your custom domains from one place instead of juggling multiple services.

Team features: Share access, set permissions, and actually collaborate instead of stepping on each other’s toes.

TinyURL vs Rebrandly: The real differences

Basic URL shortening

The TinyURL API does what it says – makes long URLs short. That’s it. Rebrandly does the same thing but makes your shortened URL look professional with your own branding. When people see a branded shortened URL, they know it’s from you, which means they’re more likely to click.

Customizing your links

The TinyURL API lets you customize URLs a bit through their api endpoint. Rebrandly goes way further – you can even change where a shortened URL goes after you’ve already created it. Super handy when you’re running a campaign and need to switch things up based on how it’s performing.

What happens when someone clicks

Both services redirect people to the right place when they click your shortened URL. The difference is that Rebrandly handles the edge cases better – like when URLs break or pages don’t exist anymore. It’s the difference between “it works” and “it works well.”

Tracking and data

The TinyURL API gives you basic stats – clicks, locations, that sort of thing. Rebrandly’s analytics are in a different league. Better charts, more data points, and it plays nice with other tools you’re probably already using. Plus the dashboard actually makes sense.

Browser extensions

TinyURL’s extension lets you shorten whatever page you’re on. Rebrandly’s extension does that too, but you can also edit your URLs without leaving the browser. Small thing, but it adds up when you’re managing lots of URLs.

Security stuff

Both services encrypt your data and take security seriously. Rebrandly gets bonus points for letting you use your own branded domains, which makes shortened URLs look more trustworthy to users.

Playing nice with other tools

The TinyURL API has basic endpoints, and that’s about it. Rebrandly has integrations with tons of other services and makes the whole setup process pretty painless. Even if you’re not super technical, you can usually get it working without calling in the developers.

Quick links without signing up

The TinyURL API lets you create URLs without making an account, which is nice for one-off stuff. But if you want to track anything or manage your URLs later, you’re out of luck.

Actually using these APIs

Getting started with TinyURL API

Create an account, grab your api key, and you’re off to the races. The TinyURL API is pretty straightforward – you can shorten URLs and get basic stats. It uses standard HTTP methods like GET and POST, so if you’ve worked with APIs before, you’ll figure it out.

Getting started with Rebrandly

Rebrandly’s setup is just as easy, but the API can do way more. Create an account, get your api key, and then you can create branded shortened URLs, pull detailed analytics, and even change where URLs go after the fact. The documentation is actually readable, which is rarer than it should be.

What TinyURL costs

Free plan

Gets you started with basic link shortening. There are ads, and you need to verify your email.

• 600 API calls per month
• Custom link endings
• Different domain options
• Basic stats

Rebrandly’s free plan gives you 25 branded links monthly and your own custom domain, so you get more branding control right out of the gate.

Pro plan (starts at $9.99/month or $119.88/year)

This is their most popular option for people who need more features. Their plans have a sliding scale based on how many links you need to generate monthly.

• 10,000 API calls per month
• Everything from the free plan
• minimum500 active shortened URLs
• Link organization with tags
• Better analytics dashboard
• Some branded domain options
• Use your own domain
• 2 years of click history
• Detailed charts and geographic data

Bulk plan (starts at $99/month or $1,188/year)

For when you need to shorten a LOT of URLs, like for SMS campaigns.Their plans have a sliding scale based on how many links you need to generate monthly.

• 100,000 API calls per month
• Everything from Pro
• Handle up to 300,000 shortened URLs
• 100,000 monthly clicks per URL
• URLs expire after 90 days

If you’re bumping up against TinyURL API limits, Rebrandly’s plans scale better and integrate more easily with whatever setup you already have.