ShortURL.bot values use current plan details. Ow.ly details were checked against the official Ow.ly source on May 16, 2026.
Hootsuite says Ow.ly moved into the Hootsuite dashboard for security, so this page avoids standalone Ow.ly pricing claims. Checked May 16, 2026.
| Feature | ShortURL.bot | Ow.ly (Hootsuite) |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone availability | Yes | Hootsuite dashboard required |
| Free plan | 60 new links + 10 QR codes / month | Standalone Ow.ly pricing is not published; access through Hootsuite trial or plan |
| Custom domains | 1 on free | Not a standalone custom-domain shortener |
| QR codes | 10 / month on free | Not positioned as a standalone QR platform |
| Analytics | Plan-based analytics dashboard | Ow.ly analytics inside Hootsuite workflows |
| Branded links | Custom domain + custom link ending | ow.ly domain workflow inside Hootsuite |
| Team features | Plus and up | Via Hootsuite team and organization workflows |
| API | Full REST API | Via Hootsuite platform integrations |
ShortURL.bot rows use current self-serve plans. Ow.ly (Hootsuite) rows use official public information checked on May 16, 2026.
| Tier | ShortURL.bot | Ow.ly (via Hootsuite) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free - $0 | No free standalone Ow.ly plan |
| Entry paid | Go - $8/mo annual ($9 monthly) | Available through Hootsuite dashboard / free trial path |
| Growth tier | Plus - $24/mo annual ($29 monthly) | Hootsuite plan-based access |
| Advanced | Pro - $79/mo | Hootsuite Enterprise / organization workflows |
| Largest self-serve | Premium - $149/mo | Standalone Ow.ly quote not published |
Sources checked on May 16, 2026. We use current ShortURL.bot plan data plus the official competitor source listed here; public competitor details can change without notice.
Ow.ly makes the most sense inside Hootsuite. ShortURL.bot makes more sense when short links need to live independently from a social scheduling suite and be managed across email, print, QR, support, and web campaigns.
Ow.ly is best for Hootsuite customers who already schedule, publish, and measure social content inside Hootsuite. The current Ow.ly page positions it as part of Hootsuite rather than a standalone shortener. If the only links you shorten are social-post links produced during scheduling, keeping that work in Hootsuite can be operationally simpler.
ShortURL.bot wins when links outlive a social post. Branded domains, QR codes, custom back-halves, bulk creation, Link Inspector, and Performance Insight are easier to manage when links are not locked inside a scheduling workflow. That matters for evergreen pages, printed material, partner handoffs, email templates, and support macros.
Start by separating scheduled-social links from durable links. Old ow.ly URLs embedded in posts may be left alone, while current campaign links, QR destinations, website links, and email links can be rebuilt with ShortURL.bot domains and tags. Update templates first, then future social posts.
Do not switch if your link shortening is only a small part of a Hootsuite publishing workflow and the team never needs custom domains, QR assets, or cross-channel reporting. In that case, the social scheduler integration may matter more than having an independent link workspace.
The main work is decoupling your short-link workflow from a social scheduling suite and moving the active links onto an independent branded-domain setup.
Identify which ow.ly links still matter for evergreen traffic, campaign assets, QR codes, or support content.
Create replacement short links and QR codes in ShortURL.bot with the domains, back-halves, and analytics settings you need.
Move active materials to the new short links after you validate redirects, branded domains, and reporting continuity.
Ow.ly is part of Hootsuite. Hootsuite says it moved Ow.ly into the dashboard, so access is tied to Hootsuite rather than a standalone short-link account.
No. ShortURL.bot is a standalone short-link platform with its own pricing ladder, branded domains, QR workflows, and reporting.
Yes. ShortURL.bot supports custom branded domains, including a free-plan slot to get started.
No. The comparison is about standalone link-management independence, branded domain control, QR workflows, and published access model.
The pricing page shows the full ShortURL.bot plan details. The main comparison page gives the broader vendor overview.