Free URL shortener with real time click analytics
Ekly is a free URL shortener that turns any long web address into a short, shareable link in seconds. No account is needed to get started. Paste your URL, click shorten, and your short link is ready to copy and share immediately.
Every short link created with a free Ekly account comes with real time click analytics. See how many people clicked your link, which country they were in, what device and browser they used, and where the traffic came from. Analytics update live so you can monitor a campaign as it runs rather than waiting for end-of-day reports.
Ekly short links redirect through Cloudflare's global edge network with over 300 edge locations worldwide. Most clicks resolve in under 15 milliseconds from anywhere in the world, so your audience never experiences a delay when following your links.
Custom short URLs for your brand
Instead of a random code like ekly.app/x7k2m, signed-in users can choose a custom slug that
reflects their brand or campaign. A link like ekly.app/summer-sale or
ekly.app/book-now is easier to remember, easier to type, and more trustworthy to click. Custom
slugs are available on the free plan with no credit card required.
URL shortener with password protection
Add a password to any short link to restrict access to the destination. Anyone who clicks the link is asked to enter the password before being redirected. This is useful for sharing content with a specific group of people, distributing pre-release material, or restricting access to internal resources without a full login system.
Link expiry and click limits
Set an expiry date on any link so it stops working after a specific date and time. You can also set a maximum click limit so the link deactivates after a set number of visits. Both options are useful for time-limited promotions, event registrations, and any link that should not remain active indefinitely.
QR codes for every short link
Every short link automatically gets a QR code that you can download and use on printed materials, presentations, packaging, and anywhere else you want people to scan rather than type. QR codes for short links are simpler and more reliable than QR codes for long URLs because there is less data to encode, which results in a cleaner, faster-scanning code.
Who uses Ekly URL shortener
Marketers use Ekly to track the performance of links shared in email campaigns, social media posts, and paid advertisements. Knowing which channel drives the most clicks helps allocate budget and effort more effectively. Content creators use short links in video descriptions, bio links, and posts where long URLs would be unwieldy. Small businesses use custom slugs on printed materials, packaging, and signage to create memorable links that are easy for customers to type. Developers use the Ekly API to generate and manage short links programmatically as part of automated workflows.
Read our full guide on how to shorten a URL for free for a step-by-step walkthrough of every feature.