Ow.ly Alternative: Standalone UTM Builder, No Hootsuite Required
Ow.ly is Hootsuite's built-in link shortener, but it only works inside Hootsuite and requires a subscription starting at $99/month. linkutm gives you UTM tracking, branded links, and analytics that work with any tool, starting free.
Why People Switch from Ow.ly
Locked Inside Hootsuite
Ow.ly only works within Hootsuite's platform. You cannot use it as a standalone link shortener or UTM tool.
Requires Hootsuite Subscription
To use Ow.ly, you need a Hootsuite plan starting at $99/month. That is expensive if you only need link shortening and UTM tracking.
Limited UTM Features
Ow.ly appends basic UTM parameters but does not offer templates, naming rules, or dynamic variables.
No Standalone Analytics
Ow.ly click data is only accessible within Hootsuite's analytics. You cannot access link performance independently.
Ow.ly vs linkutm: What You Need to Know
Paying $99/month for a link shortener is expensive
Ow.ly is included with Hootsuite, but Hootsuite's cheapest plan starts at $99/month. If you use Hootsuite for social media scheduling, Ow.ly is a convenient bonus. But if you are paying for Hootsuite primarily because of Ow.ly's link tracking, you are overspending dramatically. linkutm gives you better UTM management, branded links, and analytics starting at $0/month.
Platform lock-in limits your workflow
Ow.ly links can only be created within Hootsuite. If you post content through email, ads, partner channels, or any tool outside Hootsuite, you cannot use Ow.ly. linkutm works everywhere: create links in the web app, Chrome extension, or API, then use them in Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Google Ads, or any other platform.
Who should stay with Ow.ly
If your team already pays for Hootsuite for social media management and only needs basic link shortening within that platform, Ow.ly is a convenient built-in feature. There is no reason to switch if Hootsuite is your primary content distribution tool and you do not need standalone UTM management. But if you need links for channels beyond social media, linkutm is the better choice.
linkutm vs Ow.ly: Feature Comparison
A detailed look at how linkutm compares to Ow.ly across the features that matter most.
| Feature |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| UTM Builder | Basic | |
| UTM Templates | Up to 50 | |
| UTM Naming Rules | ||
| Standalone Tool | ||
| Branded Short Links | ||
| Custom Domains | Up to 10 | |
| QR Code Generator | ||
| Chrome Extension | ||
| Team Collaboration | Up to 5 Users | Via Hootsuite |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $99/mo (Hootsuite) |
UTM Builder
UTM Templates
UTM Naming Rules
Standalone Tool
Branded Short Links
Custom Domains
QR Code Generator
Chrome Extension
Team Collaboration
Starting Price
Why Choose linkutm Over Ow.ly
Works Everywhere
linkutm is a standalone platform. Use it with any social media tool, email platform, or workflow. No Hootsuite subscription required.
Fraction of the Cost
linkutm starts at $0/month. Ow.ly requires a Hootsuite subscription starting at $99/month.
Full UTM Management
Templates, naming rules, dynamic variables, and campaign tracking that Ow.ly's basic UTM appending cannot match.
Branded Custom Domains
Create short links with your own branded domain. Ow.ly uses the ow.ly domain with no customization.
How to Switch from Ow.ly to linkutm
Switching takes just a few minutes. Follow these three steps to get started.
Sign Up for linkutm
Create your free account. No Hootsuite subscription needed.
Set Up UTM Templates
Create templates for your social media campaigns that auto-fill UTM parameters.
Use linkutm Links in Hootsuite
Create links in linkutm and paste them into Hootsuite (or any other tool) for posting.
Pricing: linkutm vs Ow.ly
See how linkutm and Ow.ly compare on pricing and what you get at each tier.
PricingFree
$0- 25 Links/Mo
- UTM Builder
- Chrome Extension
- 25 QR Codes
Personal
$9/mo- 250 Links/Mo
- 1 Custom Domain
- UTM Rules
- CSV Export
Growth
$29/mo- 1,500 Links/Mo
- 3 Custom Domains
- 3 Users
- Password Protection
Agency
$79/mo- 3,500 Links/Mo
- 10 Custom Domains
- 5 Users
- 5 Year Analytics
PricingHootsuite Professional
$99/mo- Ow.ly Included
- 1 User
- 10 Social Accounts
- Basic Analytics
Hootsuite Team
$249/mo- Ow.ly Included
- 3 Users
- 20 Social Accounts
- Team Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Ow.ly to linkutm.
Yes. linkutm is a standalone link shortener and UTM manager that works with any platform, not just Hootsuite. Create links in linkutm and use them anywhere.
linkutm replaces Ow.ly for link shortening and UTM tracking. You can still use Hootsuite for social media scheduling and paste linkutm links into your posts.
If you are paying for Hootsuite primarily for Ow.ly, you can save up to $90/month. linkutm starts free and paid plans begin at $9/month.
Ow.ly is included with Hootsuite subscriptions, but Hootsuite starts at $99/month. There is no way to use Ow.ly for free. linkutm offers a free plan with 25 links, a UTM builder, and a Chrome extension.
The Bottom Line
Ow.ly is a convenient feature inside Hootsuite, but it is not a standalone link management tool. If you need UTM tracking, branded domains, and analytics that work across all your marketing channels, not just social media, linkutm delivers all of that starting free. Save up to $90/month compared to Hootsuite.
Ready to switch from Ow.ly?
Start with our free plan and see why marketing teams choose linkutm for UTM management, branded links, and campaign tracking.
Explore More Alternatives
See how linkutm compares to other popular link management and UTM tools.