TinyURL has been around since 2002—it's the OG URL shortener that started it all. Simple, straightforward, and completely free. But in 2026, is "simple" enough? Let's compare TinyURL with minimalink to help you decide which free URL shortener best fits your needs.
TinyURL: The Classic Choice
TinyURL does one thing and does it well: it turns long URLs into short ones. No account required, no sign-up process, just paste and shorten. It's been the go-to for users who want quick, no-frills link shortening for over two decades.
What TinyURL offers:
- Unlimited free link shortening
- No account required
- Custom aliases (if available)
- No ads on redirects
- Simple, clean interface
But here's the thing: TinyURL hasn't evolved much since 2002. And in 2026, there's a lot more you can get from a URL shortener.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Minimalink | TinyURL |
|---|---|---|
| Free links | ✓ 10/day | ✓ Unlimited |
| Click analytics | ✓ Yes, free | ✗ Pro only ($9.99/mo) |
| Geographic data | ✓ Yes, included | ✗ Pro only |
| Device tracking | ✓ Yes, included | ✗ Pro only |
| QR codes | ✓ Pro ($3/mo) | ✗ None |
| Expiring links | ✓ Pro ($3/mo) | ✗ None |
| Link editing | ✓ Yes | ✗ Pro only |
| Integrations/API | ✓ Business plan | ✗ API only |
| Ads on links | ✓ Never | ✓ Never |
The Analytics Gap
Here's where minimalink really shines. Analytics on TinyURL require their Pro plan at $9.99/month. That's $120/year just to see who's clicking your links.
With minimalink, you get click tracking on the free tier. Want to know how many people clicked your link? Just check your dashboard. No upgrade required.
Minimalink Free
- Total click counts
- Click history
- Link management dashboard
TinyURL Free
- No analytics
- No click tracking
- No way to see performance
When you upgrade to minimalink Pro ($3/month—70% cheaper than TinyURL Pro), you unlock detailed analytics including:
- Geographic data (country and city)
- Device breakdown (mobile, desktop, tablet)
- Browser and operating system info
- Referrer tracking (where clicks come from)
- Time-based analytics charts
QR Codes: A Modern Essential
In 2026, QR codes are everywhere—restaurant menus, business cards, event tickets, product packaging, and marketing materials. They bridge the gap between physical and digital.
TinyURL doesn't offer QR codes at all. Not on free, not on Pro, not ever.
Minimalink Pro includes automatic QR code generation for every link you create. Share them in print, on slides, or anywhere you need to convert offline attention to online action.
Use Case: You're at a conference and mention your product. Instead of spelling out a long URL, show a QR code or say "visit mnml.ink/demo"—both work seamlessly with minimalink.
Custom Short Codes
Both TinyURL and minimalink let you create custom aliases for your links. But there's a difference in how it works:
TinyURL Custom Aliases
- Available on free tier
- Uses tinyurl.com/your-alias format
- First-come, first-served
- Can't edit after creation on free
Minimalink Custom Codes
- Available on Pro tier ($3/month)
- Uses mnml.ink/your-code format
- 3-20 characters, alphanumeric + hyphens
- Editable destination URL anytime
The key advantage with minimalink: you can change where your custom link points. Made a typo? Updated your landing page? No problem—just edit the destination. With TinyURL's free tier, once you create a link, you can't change it.
Expiring Links
Sometimes you want a link that self-destructs. Maybe it's a limited-time offer, a temporary download, or a flash sale. TinyURL doesn't offer expiring links.
Minimalink Pro lets you set an expiration date for any link. After that date, visitors see a clean "Link Expired" page instead of your content. Perfect for:
- Limited-time promotions
- Event registration deadlines
- Temporary file sharing
- Flash sales and discounts
- Time-sensitive campaigns
The Case for TinyURL
To be fair, TinyURL has some advantages:
- Unlimited free links: No daily or monthly caps
- No account needed: Paste, shorten, done
- Established brand: Everyone knows tinyurl.com
- Simple interface: Zero learning curve
If all you need is to make a long URL short and you don't care about tracking or features, TinyURL still works fine.
The Case for Minimalink
But if you want more from your URL shortener, minimalink is the better choice:
- Free analytics: Track clicks without paying
- Modern interface: Clean, fast, works great on mobile
- Affordable Pro: $3/month unlocks everything (vs $9.99 for TinyURL Pro)
- QR codes: Something TinyURL doesn't offer
- Expiring links: Another TinyURL gap
- Editable links: Change destinations anytime
- Dark mode: Because it's 2026
Price Comparison
Let's break down what you're paying for premium features:
| Plan | Minimalink | TinyURL |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 10 links/day, basic analytics | Unlimited links, no analytics |
| Pro | $3/month | $9.99/month |
| Business | $9/month | $49.99/month |
Minimalink Pro is 70% cheaper than TinyURL Pro, and our Business plan is 82% cheaper than TinyURL Bulk.
Who Should Use Which?
Use TinyURL if:
- You need to shorten lots of links quickly
- You don't care about analytics at all
- You don't need QR codes or expiring links
- You prefer zero sign-up required
Use Minimalink if:
- You want to track who clicks your links
- You need QR codes for marketing
- You want affordable premium features
- You prefer a modern, clean interface
- You need expiring links for time-sensitive content
- You want to edit link destinations after creation
Try Minimalink Free
Get click tracking, a modern dashboard, and all the features TinyURL charges for—starting at $0.
Get Started FreeThe Verdict
TinyURL is the reliable Honda Civic of URL shorteners—it works, it's simple, and it gets the job done. But it hasn't changed much in 20+ years.
Minimalink is built for 2026. Free analytics, affordable premium plans, QR codes, expiring links, and a modern interface—all at prices 70% lower than TinyURL Pro.
If you're still manually creating TinyURL links and have no idea how they're performing, it might be time to upgrade your toolkit. Try minimalink free and see what you've been missing.