Head-to-head · October 2026
Custom Link Shortener vs PrettyLinks
PrettyLinks comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Custom Link Shortener.
Custom Link Shortener
Custom Link Shortener is a lightweight URL management, keyword auto-linking, and deep-dive analytics engine…
PrettyLinks
PrettyLinks takes any long, ugly URL and turns it into a short, branded link on your own domain. So instead…
| Metric | Custom Link Shortener | PrettyLinks |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 200K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 79 | 98.9K |
| Download trend | -45.9% | +150.8% |
| Rating | — | 4.8/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 1,321 |
| Health score | 62/100 | 91/100 |
| Last updated | 2 months ago | 23 hours ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 70% |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Jun 2025 | Mar 2009 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Custom Link ShortenerPrettyLinks
Choose Custom Link Shortener if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Choose PrettyLinks if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 200K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 1,321 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 23 hours ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 70% of recent threads resolved
Both compete in: affiliate links url shortener
FAQ
Custom Link Shortener vs PrettyLinks: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 15, 2026
Which is better, Custom Link Shortener or PrettyLinks?
PrettyLinks comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Custom Link Shortener. Choose PrettyLinks if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Custom Link Shortener more popular than PrettyLinks?
PrettyLinks is the more popular of the two with 200K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Custom Link Shortener.
Can I use Custom Link Shortener and PrettyLinks together?
Both plugins cover affiliate links and url shortener, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Custom Link Shortener and PrettyLinks free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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