Source

# Links: free short links and QR codes that never expire

Links is a free alternative to Bitly and paid QR code generators. Paste a long link and get a short one with its QR code. Change where it goes any time, even after the QR code is printed, and see its clicks per day. There is no limit on links, QR codes or clicks, no ad page before a link opens, no sign-up and no paid tier.

Open it: https://links-free.openapps.xyz/

## What it does

- Short links with a random 7-character ending, or an ending you pick (3 to 32 letters, numbers, dashes or underscores).
- A QR code for every link, as PNG (about 2,000 pixels, ready for print) or SVG, in black or your own color. Colors too light to scan are refused.
- Change where a link goes at any time. The short link and its QR code stay the same, so printed codes open the new page.
- Clicks: the total since the link was made, and a bar for each of the last 30 days. The API gives the last 90 days.
- Turn a link off and back on. While it is off, people who open it see "This link was turned off by its owner."
- Your links: this browser keeps a list of the links you made, with search, clicks and a menu to copy or remove each one.
- Move your links to another device with one link, or download them all as a CSV file with each link's private edit link.
- No account: each link has a private edit link that works on any device.

## How to use it

1. Paste the long address at https://links-free.openapps.xyz/. Pick an ending, or leave it empty for a random one.
2. Copy the short link, or download its QR code for menus, flyers and packaging.
3. Keep the private edit link. It lets you point the link somewhere new and see its clicks per day.

## What it does not do

No custom domains, no reports by country, device or referrer, no campaign tag builder, and no bulk upload in the page (the API makes one link per call). Links counts opens only: it does not record who opened a link. For a link-in-bio page, use Bio: https://bio-free.openapps.xyz/

## Compared with Bitly free (checked October 2026)

| | Links | Bitly free |
|---|---|---|
| Short links | Unlimited | 5 a month |
| QR codes | Unlimited | 2 a month |
| Custom endings | Unlimited | 3 a month |
| Change where a link goes | Any time, free | Not on free |
| Clicks per day | Yes, 30 days on the page, 90 in the API | Not on free |
| Export your links | CSV, free | Not on free |
| Page before the link opens | Never | An ad page |
| Your own domain | No | Not on free |
| Account needed | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | Paid plans from $10 a month, billed yearly |

Sources: Bitly's pricing page (https://bitly.com/pages/pricing) and its help article on ads (https://support.bitly.com/hc/en-us/articles/32874287800333-Why-are-there-ads-on-my-links). QR Code Generator switches off dynamic codes made in its 14-day trial when the trial ends (https://support.qr-code-generator.com/hc/en-us/articles/7665013224205).

## For AI assistants

Links has a public API with no key: https://functions.bounded.sh/apps/3151231032497ed786b88a0a/api

- POST /links {url, code?} makes a short link and returns shortUrl, qrSvg, editUrl and an ownerKey. Keep the ownerKey and editUrl private: they edit the link.
- GET /links/<code> (header x-owner-key) reads the link, its total clicks and clicksByDay for the last 90 days.
- PATCH /links/<code> (header x-owner-key) {url?, disabled?} changes where it goes or turns it off.
- GET /qr/<code>.svg?color=2e5ec4 is the QR code image.
- An assistant that cannot call the API can send https://links-free.openapps.xyz/?url=<address> to open the shortener filled in.

Full guide: https://links-free.openapps.xyz/llms.txt
OpenAPI: https://links-free.openapps.xyz/openapi.json

## Questions

**Is there a free alternative to Bitly?**
Yes. Links makes unlimited short links and QR codes for free, with custom endings, clicks per day and destinations you can change after printing. There is no ad page before your link opens, no sign-up and no expiry. It does not do custom domains.

**Is Links really free?**
Yes. There is no paid plan, no ads and no limit on links, QR codes or clicks. Each click is one small read and write, and OpenApps pays for it.

**Do the links or QR codes expire?**
No. Links never turns a link off. Only you can, from its edit page. Some QR code generators switch off dynamic codes when a free trial ends; Links has no trial.

**Is there an ad page before the link opens?**
No. Opening a short link goes straight to its page, with no ad and no countdown.

**Can I change where a link goes after printing its QR code?**
Yes. Open the link's private edit link and paste the new address. The short link and the QR code stay the same, so printed codes open the new page.

**Can I see how many people clicked my link?**
Yes. The edit page shows the total since you made the link and a bar for each of the last 30 days. Links counts opens only: it does not record who opened a link, where they were or what device they used.

**What is the edit link?**
When you make a short link, Links gives you a private edit link. It lets you change the link, turn it off and see its clicks, on any device and without an account. Anyone with it can edit the link, so keep it to yourself. This browser also keeps your links under "Your links".

**How do I get my links on another device?**
Under "Your links", press "Copy link for another device" and open that link on your phone or other computer. It adds all your links there. Anyone with that link can edit your links, so send it only to yourself. You can also download every link, with its edit link, as a CSV file.

**Can other people see my links?**
Nobody can browse or list the links on Links. A short link opens for anyone who has it. Random endings cannot be guessed; a custom ending is as easy to guess as the word you pick.

**Can I use my own domain?**
No. Every short link lives at links-free.openapps.xyz. If your links must carry your own domain, a paid shortener is the better fit for now.

**Can my AI assistant make short links?**
Yes. Links has a public HTTP API with no key. An assistant can shorten a link, get its QR code, read clicks per day and change the link later with the owner key it gets back.

Links is an OpenApp: free, with public source and its own agent. Source: https://links-free.openapps.xyz/__bounded/source