Comparison & Migration Guide

Shaf vs Bitly: the modern edge alternative.

Stop paying $35 to $300/mo just to put your links on a custom domain. Shaf delivers sub-15ms Anycast redirects, real-time privacy-first click analytics, and an API-first core at a fraction of the cost.

By Shaf Research Team • • Live Benchmark Verified
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Sub-15ms Anycast

Redirects resolved directly at the closest Cloudflare edge node in 300+ cities worldwide.

Custom Domains

Zero-config TLS 1.3 provisioning with automatic renewals, never locked behind paywalls.

Zero-Cookie Privacy

Server-side telemetry tracking device, city, and referrers without invasive tracking cookies.

API-First Core

Native SDKs for Python, TypeScript, Go, and Rust with Raycast and Chrome extensions.

Side-by-side feature comparison.

How Shaf compares to Bitly across architecture, speed, privacy, and limits.

Feature / Criterion Shaf Bitly
Global Edge Architecture
Cloudflare Anycast edge (300+ cities)
Centralized US cloud infrastructure
Average Redirect Latency
Sub-15ms worldwide
150ms – 350ms (cross-continent lag)
Custom Branded Domains
Automated zero-config TLS 1.3 included
Locked behind $35/mo+ minimum tiers
Click Tracking & Privacy
Zero cookies, server-side telemetry
Third-party tracking cookies & pixels
Monthly Click Quotas
Unlimited redirects, no shutoffs
Strict limits with steep overage charges
Developer API & SDKs
Full edge REST API + TS, Python, Go, Rust
Restricted rate-limited legacy REST API
Self-Hosting Capability
Yes (1-command Cloudflare / Docker)
No (closed proprietary vendor lock-in)
Free Tier Generosity
Unlimited links & real-time analytics
10 links/month (severely restricted)

Frequently asked questions.

Everything you need to know about migrating from Bitly to Shaf.

Why are marketing teams migrating from Bitly to Shaf? +
Teams switch to Shaf primarily to eliminate Bitly's steep pricing tiers ($35–$300/mo) for basic custom domains, to achieve sub-15ms redirect speeds across Cloudflare's Anycast edge, and to ensure privacy compliance with zero-cookie click analytics.
Will my links stop redirecting if I exceed click limits on Shaf? +
No. On Shaf, your links never stop resolving. While Bitly blocks or deactivates links when monthly quotas are exceeded, Shaf guarantees continuous redirect availability with a 99.99% uptime SLA.
How long does it take to connect a custom domain to Shaf? +
Connecting a custom domain takes less than 60 seconds. Simply add a CNAME record pointing to Shaf, and our automated edge provisions TLS 1.3 certificates and edge routing with zero manual configuration.
Can I import my existing Bitly links into Shaf? +
Yes. Shaf supports bulk CSV import for links and tags, allowing you to transition your link history and aliases seamlessly without downtime.

Ready to upgrade your link infrastructure?

Shorten links with sub-15ms Anycast latency, branded domains, and rich analytics. Join 100M+ tracked clicks on Shaf.

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