Shorten.dev
What Shorten.dev is
Shorten.dev is a free URL shortener with click analytics, REST API access, a terminal CLI, and an MCP server. Its Free plan costs nothing, billed Free forever, with unlimited links, real-time analytics, and no pricing tiers, credit card requirement, or paywalls. Analytics show geographic data, referrer sources, device types, and browser breakdowns, with unlimited retention. The REST API can create, bulk-create, list, retrieve, revoke, and report on links; CSV uploads or the bulk endpoint can create up to 500 links at once. The npm-distributed CLI manages links and analytics from a terminal. Its MCP server supports compatible clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and custom agents. QR codes can be generated as SVG or PNG at 1024px. Links receive Google Safe Browsing checks, never expire automatically, and cannot have revoked slugs reassigned. IP addresses are hashed with SHA-256, while the free service has no SLA or support obligation.
Who it suits
Shorten.dev suits developers who want link management through an API, CLI, or MCP client. It also fits users needing detailed click analytics, bulk creation, QR codes, and unlimited retention.
What it does well
- Unlimited links on the free plan
- Analytics include location, referrers, devices, and browsers
- REST API, CLI, and MCP server
- Bulk creation up to 500 links
- Links checked against Google Safe Browsing
What to know first
- Free service has no SLA
- No uptime or performance guarantee
- No support obligation
- Bulk creation capped at 500 links
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free forever · No usage limits stated · No credit card required | Free |
As shorten.dev lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Shorten.dev offers link creation, reporting, automation, QR codes, and safety checks under one free plan. Developers get several integration paths, but the service makes no uptime, performance, or support commitments.
Facts from Shorten.dev's own pages
- Analytics
- Click analytics include geographic data, referrer sources, device types, and browser breakdowns. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Analytics retention
- unlimited · shorten.dev, 20 Sept 2026
- API
- The REST API supports creating, bulk creating, listing, retrieving, revoking, and retrieving analytics for links. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- API access
- Yes · shorten.dev, 20 Sept 2026
- Bulk creation
- The home page says users can upload a CSV or use the bulk endpoint to create up to 500 links at once. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Bulk link creation
- Yes · shorten.dev, 20 Sept 2026
- CLI
- The CLI can create links, view analytics, and manage links from a terminal; it is distributed via npm. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · shorten.dev, 20 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The documentation describes Shorten as developer-first and provides API, CLI, and MCP integration options. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- IP privacy
- The privacy policy says IP addresses are irreversibly hashed using SHA-256 before storage and raw click event data is purged within 24 hours. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Link safety
- The home page says every link is checked against Google Safe Browsing, which flags malware and phishing. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker and location
- The privacy policy says the service is operated from the United States; the opened pages do not state the maker’s name, headquarters, or founding year. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- MCP integrations
- The native MCP server supports compatible clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and custom agents. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Permanent links
- The API documentation says links never expire or get automatically deleted, and created slugs cannot be reassigned to a different destination, even after revocation. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Shorten.dev is a free URL shortener with click analytics, a REST API, a command-line interface, and an MCP server. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- QR codes
- The home page says QR codes can be generated for links as SVG or PNG at 1024px. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The privacy policy lists TLS/HTTPS encryption in transit, hashed IP storage, hashed API keys with prefix-only display, and database row-level security as security measures. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Support and service limits
- The terms say the free service has no SLA, uptime guarantee, performance commitment, or support obligation. · shorten.dev, 12 Oct 2026
Where Shorten.dev stands on Freedom251
- URL shorteners#99 of 156