Developer launches beta alternative to paid link shortener Rebrandly

A developer has built their own alternative to Rebrandly, a paid branded link shortening service, and released it in beta. It's early-stage, so expect rough edges, but it could be worth watching for solo operators looking to cut costs.

Rebrandly is a paid service that lets businesses create short links using their own branded domain (e.g., yourname.link/promo) and track clicks for marketing. A developer posted their own version of this tool on Reddit's r/SideProject community, offering a potentially cheaper or free alternative.

Since it's currently in beta, the tool may lack features or have stability issues compared to established services. If you already pay for a link shortener, it's worth bookmarking to evaluate — but hold off on using it in live campaigns until it matures out of beta.

Key points

  • Rebrandly is a paid service for creating branded short links and tracking clicks
  • A solo developer built and released a similar tool in beta
  • Beta status means it's not fully stable or feature-complete yet
  • Could be a cost-saving option for solo operators using paid link tools
  • Test it thoroughly before using in any real business workflow

Quick term guide

native
Built using the operating system's own built-in tools, so the app feels at home on that platform and runs efficiently
Link
A fictional bond between two people’s minds, bodies, or powers.
business
An activity where you provide value to others in exchange for money.
branded domain
Using your own website name in a short link, instead of a generic one like bit.ly.
domain
The web address people type to visit a site.
r/SideProject
A Reddit forum where people share small personal products and projects.
link shortener
A tool that turns a long web address into a short, easy-to-share one.
workflow
A repeatable set of steps for getting a task done.

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