I replaced Bitly with an open-source alternative - here is why

The Problem Bitly charges $35/month for features that should be free. Custom domains, analytics, QR codes — all locked behind a paywall. The Solution: Dub.co Dub.co is an open-source link management platform that gives you: 25 free links with full analytics Custom domains on the free tier QR code generation built in Self-hosting option for unlimited everything Why I Switched I was paying Bitly $35/month for my SaaS marketing links. After switching to Dub.co: Better analytics — Dub shows me geographic data, device breakdowns, and referrer sources for free Custom domain — I use my own domain for branded links, included in the free tier Open source — I can inspect the code, contribute, and self-host if I outgrow the free tier The Numbers Feature Bitly Free Bitly Paid ($35/mo) Dub.co Free Links 10 Unlimited 25 Analytics Basic Advanced Advanced Custom Domain No Yes Yes QR Codes No Yes Yes Open Source No No Yes Bottom Line If you are bootstrapping a SaaS or side project, there is no reason t