MiniLy vs TinyURL

TinyURL is the original URL shortener. It launched in 2002, predating almost every competitor, and it built its reputation on one thing: paste a long link, get a short one back, no account required. That zero-friction shortening is still its single biggest strength, and it is something MiniLy deliberately does not offer.

Beyond anonymous shortening, the two products serve different users. TinyURL added paid plans with custom domains, customisable QR codes, analytics, a Chrome extension, and Zapier/Slack integrations. MiniLy is a modern EU shortener with unlimited links and custom domains on Pro, fully customisable QR codes on every plan, password protection, and deeper per-link analytics.

On price, MiniLy Pro (5 EUR/month) undercuts TinyURL Pro (about 9.99 USD/month) while removing TinyURL's limits: TinyURL Pro caps links at 500/month and one custom domain, and its analytics are retained for two years; MiniLy Pro is unlimited on links and domains. The honest counterweight is that TinyURL's free tier gives unlimited links (with no analytics and black-and-white QR codes only), while MiniLy's free tier caps links at five for life.

MiniLy is the better fit when you want a real feature set rather than just a quick redirect. Choose MiniLy if:

• You want password-protected links on every plan, including free. TinyURL has no confirmed password protection on any plan.
• You want unlimited, fully customisable QR codes (colours, logos, shapes) even on free. TinyURL's free QR codes are black-and-white only; customisation is paid.
• You need detailed per-link analytics with no retention cap. TinyURL retains analytics for a maximum of two years.
• Budget matters: 5 EUR/month versus 9.99 USD/month, with unlimited links and domains instead of a 500-link, one-domain cap.
• You want affordable team workspaces (Enterprise at 10 EUR/month + 2 EUR/seat).

TinyURL is the better choice for a few specific needs, and they are real. Choose TinyURL if:

• You need anonymous, no-account shortening. This is TinyURL's signature feature and MiniLy does not offer it; MiniLy requires an account.
• You want unlimited free links with no lifetime cap. TinyURL's free tier does not limit how many links you create; MiniLy's free tier stops at five.
• You value 20+ years of brand recognition and a domain people instantly trust.
• You rely on Zapier or Slack integrations, which TinyURL offers and MiniLy does not.
• You want a Chrome browser extension for one-click shortening.
• You need a dashboard in 40+ languages for a globally distributed team.

TinyURL and MiniLy optimise for different things. TinyURL is the king of frictionless, anonymous shortening and unlimited free links, backed by two decades of brand trust and a handful of integrations MiniLy lacks. If you just need to turn a long link short without signing up, TinyURL is hard to beat.

But once you need customisable QR codes, password protection, uncapped analytics, or unlimited custom domains, MiniLy delivers more for less. Its free plan is smaller on link count but far richer on QR codes and security, and its Pro plan removes the link and domain caps that TinyURL keeps. For most people building branded campaigns rather than firing off one-off redirects, MiniLy is the better long-term home.