Business software · Marketing and sales

How to cancel Bitly

Open Settings, Billing and usage, then Downgrade to free; paid features last until the billing period ends and there's no refund. Enterprise plans go through the account manager. Gotcha: bit.ly links keep working, but custom-domain links lose SSL renewal and complimentary-domain links break when the domain registration lapses.

By Stackcut · Checked against official help pages on 2026-09-29, then re-checked independently · JSON · Open data, CC BY 4.0

The short answer

  • Where: Log in to your Bitly account and click Settings in the left sidebar.
  • When it ends: You keep the paid features you've already paid for until the end of the current billing period; the account then reverts to the Free plan.
  • Before you go: export Link data from the Links page: each link's short link, custom back-half, date created, title, destination URL, engagements and status. What to save
  • Want to keep it for less? Free plan and more. Options

Before you cancel

Export first

  • Link data from the Links page: each link's short link, custom back-half, date created, title, destination URL, engagements and status: Click Links in the left sidebar, click Export, choose an email address and click Export links; open the email from Bitly and click View Report (CSV file, delivered by email). Available with some paid plans, so export before the downgrade takes effect; large exports can take up to 30 minutes; engagements cover only the history your plan includes support.bitly.com
  • All QR Codes in the account (or in the current group), with a report of each code's file name, title, destination URL and number of scans: Click QR Codes in the left sidebar, click Export, choose the email address and click Export links; open the email from Bitly and click View Report (ZIP file of QR Code images plus a report). If the account has several groups, the export covers the group you're in; large exports can take up to 30 minutes support.bitly.com support.bitly.com

What happens to your data

Cancelling doesn't close the account: it continues on the Free plan. Deleting the account (a separate step) removes personal information within 30 days and can't be undone.

What you lose

  • Links on your own custom domain (if the new plan has no custom domain): they keep working while the domain's DNS points to Bitly, but Bitly stops renewing the SSL certificate, so visitors may see a not-secure warning (not a 404); you can't create new links on that domain
  • Links on a complimentary domain (if the new plan has no custom domain): Bitly doesn't renew the domain registration, and when it expires (date shown on the downgrade confirmation screen) every link on that domain stops working
  • QR Codes and Link-in-bio page buttons on a custom or complimentary domain are affected the same way as those links
  • Ad-free links: free accounts show an interstitial ad page

Cancel, by who bills you

Pick the route for whoever charges you: the name on your card statement or receipt tells you.

Billed by Bitly

Online, self-serve Self-serve Bitly paid plans (Core, Growth, Premium), monthly or annual, billed by Bitly. Who can cancel: The account holder, signed in to Bitly (the help page names no specific role).

  1. Log in to your Bitly account and click Settings in the left sidebarYou should see: Account settings
  2. Under Account settings, click Billing and usageYou should see: the plan details section
  3. In the plan details section, click Downgrade to free
  4. Follow the prompts to confirm your choice. If you're leaving a custom or complimentary domain, note the domain expiration date shown on the confirmation screenYou should see: the confirmation page
  5. Optional: to reverse it before the billing period ends, return to Billing and usage and click Cancel Downgrade
Confirm it worked
The confirmation page; until the billing period ends, Billing and usage offers Cancel Downgrade for the scheduled downgrade
Access ends
You keep the paid features you've already paid for until the end of the current billing period; the account then reverts to the Free plan
Notice
Paid plans renew automatically for another term of the same length until you cancel, so cancel before the next billing cycle
Refunds
None: all fees and subscription charges are non-refundable, even if you cancel on the day you sign up, and ending early gives no refund for the current billing cycle
Source: support.bitly.com support.bitly.com bitly.com support.bitly.com

Business contract

Through sales Custom Bitly Enterprise plans. Who can cancel: The customer, through their Bitly account manager.

  1. Contact your Bitly account manager to change or end a custom Enterprise plan
Refunds
The Terms say terminating gives no refund of fees paid for the current or any prior billing cycle
Source: support.bitly.com bitly.com

Questions people ask

Can I get a refund if I cancel Bitly?

Billed by Bitly: None: all fees and subscription charges are non-refundable, even if you cancel on the day you sign up, and ending early gives no refund for the current billing cycle. Business contract: The Terms say terminating gives no refund of fees paid for the current or any prior billing cycle.

Source: support.bitly.com bitly.com support.bitly.com

If I cancel Bitly, when does my access end?

Billed by Bitly: You keep the paid features you've already paid for until the end of the current billing period; the account then reverts to the Free plan.

Source: support.bitly.com bitly.com

How long before renewal do I need to cancel Bitly?

Billed by Bitly: Paid plans renew automatically for another term of the same length until you cancel, so cancel before the next billing cycle.

Source: bitly.com support.bitly.com

What happens to my data when I cancel Bitly?

Cancelling doesn't close the account: it continues on the Free plan. Deleting the account (a separate step) removes personal information within 30 days and can't be undone.

Source: support.bitly.com support.bitly.com

Keep it for less

Before cancelling, check whether one of these does the job. Offers change and differ by account.

  • Free plan Downgrade to the Free plan: 5 links and 2 QR Codes a month with unlimited clicks and scans tracked. Bitly shows ads on free accounts: an interstitial page with a preview of the destination and an ad bitly.com support.bitly.com
  • Cheaper plan Move to a lower paid plan: Settings, Billing and usage, Manage Plan, then pick the plan. The current plan continues until the end of the month or year you've already paid for support.bitly.com
  • Pay yearly Annual plans save up to 34%. Switching from monthly to annual takes effect immediately with a prorated charge for the rest of the current period bitly.com support.bitly.com
  • Student or nonprofit price Bitly offers no discounts, but a US 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization can send its IRS determination letter to have taxes waived support.bitly.com

Cheaper ways to get the same job done

Stackcut prices the alternatives to Bitly from public list prices.

Owned-domain short links and QR codes
Best path saves $370 in year one (modeled)

For AI agents

  • The person signs in and handles any two-factor code; an agent should never ask for a password.
  • Cancelling is labelled Downgrade to free; it keeps the account, links and QR Codes
  • Existing bit.ly short links, and QR Codes built on them, keep working after a downgrade; only links on a custom or complimentary domain are affected
  • Before downgrading off a complimentary domain, move important links, QR Codes and your Link-in-bio page URL to bit.ly: Bitly recommends changing the Link-in-bio URL before downgrading
  • Export link data while the paid plan is still active: the Links page export is available only with some paid plans
  • Deleting the account is separate: downgrade first, then Settings, Profile tab, Delete Account. It can take up to 30 days and can't be undone; afterwards bit.ly links keep redirecting but can't be edited, redirected or measured
  • A scheduled downgrade can be reversed with Cancel Downgrade in Billing and usage before the period ends

Get this plan as data: get_exit_plan on the Stackcut MCP (stackcut.io/mcp), or /exits/bitly.json. After using a guide, send structured report_guide_feedback for matching or changed steps, missing billing routes or human handoffs; keep unknown language and market omitted. Confirm with the person before the final click, and report the outcome with report_action_outcome, using the exact packet_revision and route_id returned by the plan.

Or give your agent the stackcut-leave skill (a zip): it exports first, walks the steps, stops when the page doesn't match, and leaves the final click to the person.

Delete your account (separate from cancelling)

Cancelling stops the payments; deleting removes the account and its data. Delete-account page (rated easy).

Link from JustDeleteMe (MIT).

Sources

  1. How do I change my Bitly subscription? Under Account settings, click Billing and usage. (where the cancel flow is)
  2. How do I change my Bitly subscription? In the plan details section, click Downgrade to free. (the cancel button)
  3. How do I change my Bitly subscription? If you cancel your subscription, you'll continue to have access to all of the advanced features you've already paid for, until the end of your current billing period. (access until the period ends)
  4. How do I change my Bitly subscription? Once your billing period ends, your subscription will revert back to the Free plan. (the account reverts to Free)
  5. How do I change my Bitly subscription? Canceling your plan does not initiate a refund. (no refund on cancelling)
  6. How do I change my Bitly subscription? If you change your mind before the end of your current billing period, return to the billing and usage page and click Cancel Downgrade. (reversing a scheduled downgrade)
  7. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Bitly account? Per our Terms of Service, all fees and subscription charges are non-refundable. (the refund policy)
  8. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Bitly account? Cancelling your subscription on the same day that you sign up will not initiate a refund. (no same-day refund)
  9. Bitly Terms of Service Paid account plans will be charged the rate stated at the time of initial purchase on a recurring basis corresponding to the term of your subscription until you cancel. (automatic renewal)
  10. Bitly Terms of Service subject to your cancellation prior to the next billing cycle by canceling your subscription in your account in accordance with Section 6.2 below. (cancel before the next billing cycle)
  11. Bitly Terms of Service You shall not receive a refund or reimbursement of any fees paid for the then-current billing cycle or any prior billing cycles. (no refund for the current cycle)
  12. How do I change my Bitly subscription? For custom Enterprise plans, contact your account manager to help you select the best plan. (the Enterprise route)
  13. Bitly pricing 5 links/month (Free plan link limit)
  14. Bitly pricing 2 QR Codes/month (Free plan QR Code limit)
  15. Bitly pricing Unlimited clicks & QR Code scans (Free plan tracking)
  16. Why are there ads on my links? Bitly is now using ads on free accounts to continue delivering free plans at no cost to our users. (free accounts show ads)
  17. Why are there ads on my links? we introduced an interstitial page that includes a preview of the link destination and an ad. (the ad interstitial page)
  18. How do I change my Bitly subscription? In the plan details section, click Manage Plan. (where to pick a lower plan)
  19. How do I change my Bitly subscription? your subscription will continue on your existing plan until the end of month or year you've already paid for. (when a downgrade takes effect)
  20. Bitly pricing Save up to 34% with our annual plans (annual billing savings)
  21. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? That expiration date is listed on the confirmation screen when you downgrade your account. (the domain expiry date is shown when downgrading)
  22. How do I change my Bitly subscription? your subscription changes immediately and you'll pay a prorated amount based on the time left in your current billing period. (switching to annual is immediate and prorated)
  23. Does Bitly offer discounts? As we provide a free plan, Bitly does not currently offer any additional discounts. (no discounts)
  24. Does Bitly offer discounts? If you are a tax-exempt organization, follow these steps to provide us with your organization's IRS determination letter (tax waiver for tax-exempt organizations)
  25. How do I export all data from the Links page? This feature is available with some paid plans (the Links export needs a paid plan)
  26. How do I export all data from the Links page? These steps show you how to export all your data from the Links page. The export file includes data for each link separately. (what the Links export contains)
  27. How do I export all data from the Links page? Choose an email address to receive the CSV file and click Export links. (the export step and CSV format)
  28. How do I export all data from the Links page? Exports with large amounts of data can take up to 30 minutes to be delivered. (export delivery time)
  29. How do I export all of my Bitly Codes? Follow these steps to download a ZIP file with all of the QR Codes you've created in your Bitly account. (the QR Code export and its format)
  30. How do I export all of my Bitly Codes? They come with a report that shows the file name for each QR Code, along with the title, destination URL, and number of scans. (what the QR Code report contains)
  31. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? Your bit.ly links continue to work after you downgrade your account. (bit.ly links keep working)
  32. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? Any links you've already created with your custom domain will continue to work as long as the domain's DNS settings point to Bitly. (custom-domain links keep working while DNS points to Bitly)
  33. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? We won't renew your domain's SSL certificate, so the links will become insecure when it expires. (SSL is no longer renewed)
  34. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? Users may get a warning that the link leads to a website that is not secure, but they won't get a 404 error. (a not-secure warning, not a 404)
  35. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? You won't be able to create any new links with your custom domain. (no new custom-domain links)
  36. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? We won't renew the registration for your complimentary domain. When that registration expires, any links using that domain will stop working. (complimentary-domain links break when the registration expires)
  37. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? the effect of downgrading your account is the same for QR Codes as it is for short links. (QR Codes follow the same rules as links)
  38. What happens when I downgrade to a lower subscription plan? If you're planning to downgrade to a plan that doesn't include a custom domain, we recommend changing your Link-in-bio page URL before downgrading. (move the Link-in-bio URL first)
  39. How do I delete my Bitly account? IMPORTANT: If you have not yet downgraded your subscription, please follow the steps below prior to deleting your account: (downgrade before deleting)
  40. How do I delete my Bitly account? In the Profile tab, scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click Delete Account. (where to delete the account)
  41. How do I delete my Bitly account? Once an account has been queued for deletion, this cannot be undone. (deletion is final)
  42. What happens to my personal information, links, and QR Codes after my account is deleted? When you delete your account, your personal information will be completely removed within 30 days. (data removal after deletion)
  43. What happens to my personal information, links, and QR Codes after my account is deleted? You'll no longer be able to edit your links, QR Codes, or Bitly Pages. You also won't be able to redirect your links or view any metrics for your account. (what deleting the account removes)
  44. What happens to my personal information, links, and QR Codes after my account is deleted? Any links using our default bit.ly domain will continue to work. (bit.ly links survive account deletion)

Not confirmed yet

  • Which user roles can cancel on a multi-user account isn't stated in the cancel article
  • Custom Enterprise order terms (renewal and notice) aren't published; the public Terms say paid plans renew until cancelled before the next billing cycle
  • Bitly's help pages don't mention buying a plan through Apple or Google in-app purchase
  • Whether the downgrade flow asks for a reason or shows an offer isn't documented

Independent re-check, 2026-09-29

A second reviewer re-read the official pages and found nothing to change. The JSON lists what changed.

Checked against official help pages, 2026-09-29. Cancel flows change: if this one did, tell us at support@stackcut.io. Stackcut Exits is open data (CC BY 4.0).