Comparison
A Short.io alternative for teams that would rather not collect visitor data
Short.io has a larger free tier than Linkonda and includes API access on it. The reason to choose Linkonda is narrower and more specific: it records a click count per link and nothing else about the people clicking.
Where Short.io is ahead
It would be dishonest to open this page any other way. On free-tier capacity Short.io beats Linkonda clearly: roughly 1,000 branded links against Linkonda's 100 simultaneous, five custom domains against one, tens of thousands of tracked clicks a month, and API access included at no cost — something Linkonda charges for.
If you are choosing purely on how much you get without paying, stop reading and use Short.io. It is a good product and its free plan is unusually generous.
Free plan comparison
| Feature | Linkonda free | Short.io free |
|---|---|---|
| Branded links | 100 simultaneous | ~1,000 |
| Custom domains | 1 | ~5 |
| API access | ✗ Plus plan (€4.99/mo) | ✓ Included |
| Tracked clicks | n/a — aggregate count only | ~50,000 per month |
| QR codes | ✓ Generated in your browser | ✓ Included |
| Per-visitor tracking | ✗ None collected | ✓ Core feature |
| Data stored per click | None | Click events with visitor attributes |
| Link expiration | ✓ Optional, you choose | ✗ Paid plans only |
Short.io figures taken from its public pricing page, checked August 2026. Approximate values are marked with ~ and change frequently.
The actual trade you are making
Short.io's free tier is generous because click data has value. That is not a criticism — it is a normal and transparent business model, and the analytics are genuinely useful if you run campaigns.
But it means every link you create becomes a collection point. Under GDPR, an IP address tied to a click is personal data, and you are typically the controller for links you distribute. That brings a lawful basis, retention policy, and data subject requests into scope for what you may have assumed was just a redirect.
Linkonda removes the question by not collecting the data. There is no per-visitor record to secure, retain, disclose, or delete. See short links without visitor tracking for exactly what is and is not stored.
When Short.io is the better choice
- You want the largest possible free tier
- You need click analytics with geographic and device breakdowns
- You need free API access for automation
- You want country or region targeting, link cloaking, or deep links
- You need unlimited team seats on a mid-tier plan
Choose Linkonda when the absence of visitor data is the feature you are actually buying — and compare the paid plans if you need more than 100 live links.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Linkonda have a more generous free plan than Short.io?
- No. Short.io's free plan is larger on every volume measure — around 1,000 branded links, 5 custom domains, and API access, against Linkonda's 100 simultaneous links, 1 custom domain, and no free API. If raw free-tier capacity is what you are optimising for, Short.io wins.
- Then why choose Linkonda?
- Because Short.io's product is built around tracking clicks, and Linkonda's is built around not tracking them. Linkonda stores a total redirect count per link and nothing else — no IP addresses, geolocation, device strings, or referrers. If collecting visitor data is a liability for you rather than a feature, that difference outweighs the volume difference.
- Can I migrate my links from Short.io?
- There is no automated importer. You can recreate links through the Linkonda API on a paid plan, and if you point the same custom domain at Linkonda your existing branded hostname keeps working for new links.
- Do both support custom domains?
- Yes. Short.io includes several custom domains even on its free plan. Linkonda includes 1 on free, 3 on Plus, and 5 on Pro, verified by a DNS TXT record.
- Which is better for developers?
- Short.io, if you want API access without paying — its free plan includes it. Linkonda's API starts on the Plus plan at €4.99/mo with 3 keys, using Bearer authentication against the same endpoints as the web app.