Updated July 2026 · 7 min read
How to Migrate from Bitly to TrimLink
Bitly's free plan is down to 10 links a month and custom domains are paid-only. If that's pushing you to leave, here's the honest way to move — without breaking a single live link.
Read This First (No Fluff)
A one-click "import all my Bitly links" button is on our roadmap, but it's not built yet. So today, migration is manual. The good news: it's faster than it sounds, because most people only have a few links that still matter — and your old Bitly links keep working the whole time.
We'd rather say that plainly than sell you a magic importer that doesn't exist.
Why Move Off Bitly
- Free plan is tiny: 10 links/month, down from 1,000.
- Branding costs extra: custom domains are locked to paid tiers; TrimLink includes one on free.
- Price creep: Core is $10/mo for 100 links; Growth jumps to $29/mo.
For the full side-by-side, see TrimLink vs Bitly or our roundup of the best Bitly alternatives.
The Migration, Step by Step
- 1
Export your existing Bitly links
In Bitly, go to your links list and export to CSV (paid plans) or copy your active short links manually (free plan). You want the destination URL and title for each link that still matters.
- 2
Decide which links are actually worth moving
Most Bitly accounts have a handful of links that still get traffic and a long tail that does not. Only migrate the ones you still share. Leaving dead links on Bitly costs you nothing.
- 3
Connect your custom domain in TrimLink
Add your domain in TrimLink settings and point one DNS record to it. This is the step that makes new links branded (yourbrand.co/sale) instead of generic. A custom domain is included on the free plan.
- 4
Recreate each link on your domain
For each link worth keeping, create a new short link in TrimLink with the same destination and, ideally, the same custom slug. Add UTM tags while you are at it so the new links are trackable from day one.
- 5
Update where the links live
Swap the new short links into your bio, pinned posts, email signature, and scheduled content. Old Bitly links keep redirecting, so there is no rush and nothing breaks mid-switch.
Don't Lose Your Old Click Data
One thing manual migration can't carry over is your historical Bitly click counts. Before you eventually close your Bitly account, export or screenshot the analytics for your top links so you keep a record. Going forward, your TrimLink links track from click one — and if you're not sure what an old shortened link even points to, you can expand any Bitly link to see its destination first.
Common Questions
Will my old Bitly links stop working when I switch?
No. Your existing Bitly links keep redirecting as long as your Bitly account stays active. Migration is additive — you create new links on your own domain and update where you share them over time. Nothing breaks the moment you sign up elsewhere.
Can I bulk-import all my Bitly links at once?
Not yet — TrimLink’s bulk importer is on the roadmap (marked “coming soon” on our comparison pages). For now, migration is manual, which is genuinely fast for most accounts since the majority of Bitly users have only a handful of links that still get traffic. We would rather tell you that than sell an importer that does not exist.
Why are people leaving Bitly in 2026?
Bitly moved upmarket. Its free plan now allows only 10 links per month, custom domains are paid-only, and the Core plan is $10/mo for 100 links. Many small teams and creators are switching to alternatives that include a custom domain and real analytics at a lower price.
Do I need a custom domain to switch?
No, but it is the main reason to bother. Without a custom domain you are just swapping one generic short link for another. TrimLink includes one custom domain on the free plan, so branded links are not locked behind a paywall the way they are on Bitly.
What about my Bitly QR codes?
A QR code just encodes a URL. If your printed QR points at a Bitly link, that link keeps working while your Bitly account is active. For new campaigns, generate a fresh QR code pointing at your TrimLink short link so future scans are tracked on your own domain.
What You Get on the Other Side
- A custom domain on the free plan — branded links, not generic ones.
- 25 free links a month (vs. Bitly’s 10), or 500 on Starter for $5.
- Privacy-first analytics that track clicks, not the people clicking.
- A free UTM builder and QR codes, no upsell wall.
Start Your Switch Free
Create your account, connect a domain, and move your first link in a couple of minutes. Your old Bitly links keep working while you do.