TrimLink vs Short.ioThe Short.io alternative built for price + privacy
TrimLink vs Short.io — both ship branded links and click analytics. TrimLink wins on free-tier custom domain access, visitor privacy, and Pro-tier pricing.
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Where TrimLink wins over Short.io
The numbers that change your buy decision. All values verified against Short.io's own pricing page.
$72
less per year on Pro plan ($12 vs $18)
0
tracking cookies on visitors
+13
bonus links per paid referral
| Feature | TrimLink | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pro plan price | $12/moSave $72/yr | $18/mo |
| Entry paid tier | $5/mo (Starter) | $5/mo (Hobby) |
| Free custom domains | 1 included | 0 (Hobby tier needed) |
| Free links | 25/mo (renews) | 1,000 total (lifetime cap) |
| Features | ||
| QR codes | Included | Included |
| API access | Pro+ plans | All paid |
| Privacy | ||
| Analytics | Privacy-first | Standard tracking |
| Visitor cookies | None | Standard |
| Growth | ||
| Referral rewards | +3 links/signup, +10 more/paid | Not offered |
Why TrimLink over Short.io
The specific differences that change the buy decision.
Custom domain on the free tier
Short.io's free plan ships with 0 custom domains — you need their $5/mo Hobby plan to brand any link. TrimLink includes 1 custom domain on free.
No analytics cookies on visitors
Short.io uses standard tracking cookies on the people clicking your links. TrimLink doesn't drop cookies, doesn't fingerprint, doesn't store raw IPs.
Cheaper Pro tier
Short.io Pro is $18/mo. TrimLink Pro is $12/mo with 1,500 links and the same analytics depth (clicks, countries, devices, referrers).
Stackable referral rewards
Every TrimLink user earns extra link capacity by referring friends — +3 per signup, +10 more per paid upgrade. Short.io has no referral mechanic.
The fuller story
Short.io targets marketing teams that want branded short links + click analytics at scale. The product works well and their free tier is generous on raw link volume — but it ships without any custom domain (you need their $5/mo Hobby plan for that), and their analytics posture relies on standard tracking cookies. TrimLink covers the same use case while including a custom domain on free, going cookie-free on visitor analytics, and charging $12/mo at Pro instead of $18.
Coming soon
One-click migration from Short.io is on the way
We're building a bulk-import tool so you can move your existing Short.io links into TrimLink in one upload. Until it ships, your Short.io URLs keep redirecting from Short.io — nothing breaks. Reply to any TrimLink email if you'd like help moving a specific batch in the meantime.
The verdict
Short.io is a fair pick for established marketing teams that want a single dedicated shortener with broad integrations. TrimLink is the better fit when you want a custom domain on the free tier, care about audience privacy (no tracking cookies), or are weighing Pro plans where $12/mo beats $18/mo for the same feature scope.
Every figure on this page is verified against Short.io's own published pricing. See it for yourself on the Short.io website.
Common questions
Real questions we get about the Short.io switch.
Is TrimLink better than Short.io?
For most solo creators and small teams: yes, at lower cost and with stricter visitor privacy. For established marketing departments standardized on Short.io with deep integrations: stick with what works. Both are solid; the call depends on whether price/privacy or ecosystem matters more.
Can I import my Short.io links?
Bulk import is coming soon. Until then, you can recreate links manually or contact us for help with a larger batch. Your existing Short.io URLs continue to redirect via Short.io — nothing breaks during the transition.
Does TrimLink have the same analytics depth as Short.io?
On clicks, countries, devices, and referrers: yes. Where TrimLink intentionally diverges is the visitor-level layer — we don't fingerprint or cookie individuals to track them across sessions. That's a privacy choice, not a limitation.
Which is cheaper at scale?
TrimLink at most comparable tiers. Both ship a $5/mo entry tier (TrimLink Starter, Short.io Hobby). At Pro, TrimLink is $12/mo vs Short.io $18/mo — save $72/yr. At the team tier, TrimLink Growth ($39/mo) undercuts Short.io Team ($48/mo); TrimLink Teams ($99/mo) is a premium unlimited tier that still sits below Short.io Enterprise ($148/mo). Compare your needed link volume against published limits before committing.
Keep reading
More on shorteners, Short.io, and getting the most out of TrimLink.
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Ready to try TrimLink?
Free account, no credit card. Custom domain on the free tier.