Top 14 Free Link Tracking and Management Tools for Affiliate Marketers

Tracking affiliate links is not always about counting clicks. It’s about understanding what works, what doesn’t, and how to make more money.

If you don’t track your links, you’re missing valuable data that could help you optimize your strategy, increase conversions, and earn higher commissions.

The right tools do more than shorten links. They help you track clicks, analyze traffic sources, and even test different URLs to see what performs best.

Some tools focus on link cloaking, others specialize in conversion tracking, and a few offer detailed analytics. But the good part is that you don’t have to spend a dollar. Every tool on this list is either completely free or offers a solid free plan.

Below, I’ll break down the top 13 free link tracking and management tools for affiliate marketers. Each one has its strengths, so pick the one that fits your needs.

1. Bitly – Best for quick link shortening with basic tracking and easy sharing.
2. Pretty Links – Best for WordPress users who want to shorten, track, and brand their affiliate links.
3. ThirstyAffiliates – Best for managing and cloaking affiliate links directly inside WordPress.
4. Google Analytics – Best for tracking affiliate traffic and conversions with in-depth insights.
5. Affise – Best for affiliate program management and tracking large-scale campaigns.
6. Voluum – Best for advanced tracking, split testing, and campaign optimization.
7. ClickMagick – Best for detailed link analytics, conversion tracking, and A/B testing.
8. Post Affiliate Pro – Best for businesses running their own affiliate programs.
9. UTM.io – Best for creating and managing UTM-tagged links for tracking in Google Analytics.
10. ClickMeter – Best for tracking multiple marketing campaigns in one place.
11. LinkTrackr – Best for link cloaking, conversion tracking, and split testing.
12. Rebrandly – Best for creating custom-branded short links for a professional touch.
13. TinyURL – Best for simple, no-fuss link shortening.
14. Everflow

Before we continue further, let’s first discuss the importance of link tracking & management in affiliate marketing and the criteria for choosing the best tool.

Why Link Tracking & Management Matter in Affiliate Marketing

Link tracking is one of the smartest things you can do as an affiliate marketer. It tells you exactly where your clicks come from, which links perform best, and what’s driving conversions.

Without tracking, you’re just guessing. Maybe your traffic is coming from a blog post, an email, or a social media post—but how would you know?

Good tracking tools give you clear data so you can double down on what works and fix what doesn’t.

The Importance of Link Cloaking & Shortening

Cloaking and shortening links also play a huge role. Long, ugly affiliate links can look spammy and scare people away.

A clean, branded link builds trust and gets more clicks. Plus, cloaking protects your commissions by preventing link hijacking.

If you’re sharing links across multiple platforms, a good link management tool helps you keep everything organized. You don’t want to waste time digging through different affiliate dashboards just to find the right link.

Key Metrics to Track in Affiliate Marketing

• Bounce Rate: Tracks how many visitors leave immediately after clicking your link. A high bounce rate may indicate weak landing pages or mismatched content.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how many people click your affiliate link after seeing it. A low CTR means your call-to-action or placement needs improvement.
• Conversion Rate: Shows how many clicks turn into actual sales or sign-ups. High conversion rates mean you’re targeting the right audience.
• Traffic Source: Identifies where your clicks are coming from (blog, email, social media). Knowing this helps you focus on the best-performing channels.
• Earnings Per Click (EPC): Calculates how much money you make per click. A higher EPC means your affiliate offers are converting well.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Free Link Tracking Tools

Picking the right link-tracking tool is key to running a successful affiliate business. Some tools offer basic tracking, while others provide advanced features like geotargeting and A/B testing.

The table below outlines what to consider when choosing a free tool, so you get the best value without unnecessary limits.

Criteria	What It Means	Why It Matters
Ease of Use	Simple setup, user-friendly interface, and easy link management.	Saves time and reduces frustration, especially for beginners.
Features Offered	Includes click tracking, geotargeting, A/B testing, and link cloaking.	Helps optimize campaigns and boost conversions.
Integration	Works with affiliate networks, CMS platforms, and email tools.	Ensures smooth tracking across multiple platforms.
Reporting & Analytics	Provides insights on CTR, conversions, referrals, and revenue.	Helps make data-driven decisions to improve performance.
Free vs. Paid Limitations	Identifies what features are available for free and what requires payment.	Prevents surprises and helps pick the best tool without hidden costs.

Top 14 Free Link Tracking & Management Tools

Now, let’s go deeper into each tool and how it helps with affiliate marketing.

1. Bitly

Bitly is a go-to tool for shortening links, and it does more than just make URLs look clean. It tracks clicks, location data, and referral sources, helping you see where your traffic comes from.

It’s great for affiliate marketers who want to track their links and customize them to suit their brand. I like how it keeps things simple, no complicated setup, just paste a link and go.

If you share links on social media or emails and want quick insights, Bitly gets the job done.

Favorite Features:

• Customizable Short Links: Bitly allows you to create short links with your own custom domain or branding, which helps with building trust with your audience.
• Click Tracking: Track the number of clicks on your link, along with the geographical location and device type, giving you more control over how you assess your marketing strategy.
• Real-Time Analytics: You get real-time data about the performance of your links. This helps you quickly adjust your strategy if needed.
• Link History: You can access a history of all your shortened links, which makes it easier to track long-term performance and patterns.
• Mobile Optimized: The tool is mobile-friendly, meaning you can monitor your links on the go.

Pros	Cons
Simple and user-friendly interface.	Free plan limits the number of tracked clicks per month.
Customizable links for better branding.	Advanced features are locked behind the paid plan.
Real-time tracking and detailed analytics.	Limited link tracking data in the free version.
Good mobile support for easy tracking on the go.	No support for custom reports in the free plan.

2. Pretty Links

Pretty Links is a great option for affiliate marketers, especially if you use WordPress. It’s designed to make link management easy by offering link shortening, tracking, and the ability to brand links to match your domain.

Pretty Links integrates seamlessly with WordPress, which makes it an excellent choice for those already working within this platform.

It’s simple to use and helps you keep track of all your affiliate links in one place.

Favorite Features:

• Link Shortening and Redirection: You can create clean, branded short links for your affiliate offers and easily set up automatic redirections. This helps your links look more professional.
• Detailed Click Tracking: Pretty Links provides detailed data on each link, such as total clicks, unique clicks, referring URLs, and geographic location of visitors.
• Link Groups: Organize your links into groups for better management and reporting. This is perfect for those who manage multiple affiliate offers.
• Link Automation: Automate link creation for affiliate programs, saving time when adding new affiliate offers.
• Reporting and Analytics: Pretty Links tracks conversions and link performance, providing detailed reports that help improve strategies.

Pros	Cons
Easy integration with WordPress.	Free version has limited features.
Allows link branding for better trust.	No built-in A/B testing in the free plan.
Provides in-depth reporting and analytics.	Some advanced features are available only in the paid plan.
Easy link organization with link groups.	Can get costly as you scale up.
Supports automated link redirection.	Limited customizations in free version.

3. ThirstyAffiliates

ThirstyAffiliates is a powerful tool for affiliate marketers looking to simplify link management and increase their efficiency. It provides a user-friendly way to cloak, track, and manage your affiliate links from within the WordPress dashboard.

ThirstyAffiliates also offers automation features, allowing you to set up automated link insertion for your blog posts or pages. This saves time and ensures your links are always up-to-date.

I recommend this if you have a content-heavy website and want a tool that keeps your links under control without extra effort.

Favorite Features:

• Link Cloaking: Hide long, messy affiliate URLs by creating clean, branded links that boost trust and click-through rates.
• Link Categorization: Easily organize your links into categories for better management, especially when dealing with a large number of affiliate programs.
• Auto-Linking: Automatically link keywords or phrases to your affiliate URLs, which can help you scale your content without extra effort.
• Geotargeting: Tailor your affiliate offers based on your visitors’ location, improving relevance and conversions.
• Detailed Reports: Get insights on clicks, conversions, and traffic sources with comprehensive reports to fine-tune your affiliate marketing strategy.

Pros	Cons
Easy link management with WordPress integration.	Geotargeting is available only in premium versions.
Automated link insertion for posts.	Limited customization options in the free plan.
Link cloaking for professional-looking URLs.	Some features require upgrading to paid plans.
Advanced reporting and click tracking.	Limited customization options in free plan.
Categorizes links for better organization.	Automation is limited in the free version.

4. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a widely used tool that tracks website traffic, user behavior, and performance metrics.

While it is primarily known for web analytics, it also provides powerful link tracking capabilities. By setting up custom UTM parameters, affiliate marketers can track clicks and conversions for individual affiliate links.

This makes it a great tool for analyzing traffic sources and understanding how affiliate links are performing across various platforms.

I always use this tool to check my traffic reports to spot patterns and improve my affiliate strategies. It takes a little time to learn, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a turning point.

Favorite Features:

• Custom UTM Tracking: Easily create custom UTM parameters for your affiliate links to track their performance in Google Analytics.
• Detailed Traffic Reports: View detailed reports on referral traffic, top-performing pages, and which affiliate links are generating clicks.
• Goal Setting & Conversion Tracking: Track conversions directly in Google Analytics by setting up goals that match your affiliate program’s objectives.
• Multi-channel Attribution: Understand how your affiliate links are performing across multiple channels, like email, social media, and organic search.
• Free & Robust: Google Analytics offers a free, robust tool that works across all your websites and platforms without any upfront costs.

Pros	Cons
Free and incredibly comprehensive.	Setup can be complex for beginners.
Tracks detailed user behavior and conversions.	Requires knowledge of UTM parameters.
Multi-channel tracking helps identify the best sources.	Limited to tracking data from your website only.
No extra cost for basic usage.	Not specifically designed for affiliate marketing.
Customizable reports for deeper insights.	Can be overwhelming with too much data.

5. Affise

Affise is an affiliate marketing platform designed to help businesses manage their affiliate programs, track affiliate link performance, and optimize campaigns.

It provides powerful tools for tracking clicks, conversions, and commissions in real-time, making it a great choice for marketers who need to scale their affiliate efforts.

With its advanced features, Affise offers detailed reporting and analytics to help you optimize performance and increase affiliate revenue.

Favorite Features:

• Real-Time Data: Tracks and reports affiliate link performance in real-time, giving you immediate insight into campaign results.
• Customizable Dashboards: Build your own dashboard to monitor affiliate activity, conversions, and other key metrics.
• Advanced Targeting: Offers geotargeting and device targeting to help tailor your affiliate marketing campaigns to specific audiences.
• Performance-Based Payments: Set up flexible payment models based on performance metrics, such as cost per action (CPA), cost per click (CPC), or cost per sale (CPS).
• Integration with Affiliate Networks: Easily integrates with popular affiliate networks to track and manage affiliate campaigns across multiple platforms.

Pros	Cons
Advanced tracking and real-time data.	May be too complex for beginners.
Customizable dashboards and reports.	Free plan has limited features.
Supports geotargeting and device targeting.	Premium plans can be expensive.
Flexible payment models for affiliates.	Interface can be overwhelming for new users.
Easy integration with affiliate networks.	Limited documentation for setup.

7. ClickMagick

ClickMagick is a highly versatile link tracking tool, ideal for affiliate marketers who want to improve conversions through detailed tracking and optimization.

It provides deep insights into campaign performance, helping marketers make data-driven decisions.

ClickMagick offers everything from URL shortening and tracking to advanced A/B testing and split testing features, making it a popular choice for marketers looking to take control of their campaign’s efficiency and ROI.

Favorite Features:

• Advanced Conversion Tracking: Tracks not only clicks but also conversions, helping you measure the real success of your affiliate campaigns.
• Split Testing (A/B Testing): Run A/B tests on different links or landing pages to optimize your conversion rate. This helps you identify the most effective options for better performance.
• Link Rotators: Use link rotators to share multiple offers through a single URL, allowing for better management of different campaigns.
• Traffic Quality Monitoring: ClickMagick automatically filters out low-quality traffic sources, helping you focus on high-converting visitors.
• Detailed Analytics and Reporting: Get comprehensive reports on your link’s performance, conversions, and other essential metrics, allowing you to fine-tune campaigns based on real data.

Pros	Cons
Detailed tracking for conversions and clicks.	The interface might be hard to navigate for new users.
Advanced A/B testing and optimization features.	Can be expensive as you scale.
Link rotators for managing multiple offers.	Free plan has limited features.
Traffic quality monitoring for better targeting.	Requires a learning curve to unlock full potential.
In-depth reporting for data-driven decisions.	Integration with some platforms may be tricky.

8. Post Affiliate Pro

Post Affiliate Pro is a powerful tool for affiliate marketers, designed to streamline the management of affiliate links and optimize affiliate campaigns.

This tool offers a wide range of features, including affiliate tracking, commission management, and performance reports.

It’s built for both beginners and experienced marketers who want a detailed overview of their affiliate marketing efforts, from tracking individual clicks to calculating commissions automatically.

Favorite Features:

• Affiliate Link Tracking: Tracks the performance of each affiliate link in real-time, allowing you to identify which campaigns or affiliates are delivering the best results.
• Commission Management: Easily manage commissions for different affiliates, including flexible payout systems and payment integrations.
• Customizable Affiliate Programs: Customize the structure of your affiliate programs, including commission rates and payment terms, to suit your business model.
• Advanced Reporting: Post Affiliate Pro provides detailed reports on clicks, conversions, and commissions, allowing you to make data-backed decisions for campaign improvements.
• Integration with Major Platforms: Works seamlessly with most popular eCommerce platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, making it a flexible choice for various affiliate setups.

Pros	Cons
Comprehensive tracking and commission management.	Some advanced features may require a steep learning curve.
Customizable affiliate programs for flexibility.	Limited free plan.
Seamless integration with eCommerce platforms.	Price can be high as you scale.
Detailed, real-time reporting for better decision-making.	Not as beginner-friendly as some other tools.
Support for various payment methods and payout systems.	Needs more integration options with smaller platforms.

9. UTM.io

UTM.io is a tool designed to simplify the process of creating and managing UTM links for affiliate marketing campaigns.

With UTM.io, you can build custom URLs to track the performance of different marketing channels and campaigns.

This tool focuses on UTM parameters, which are essential for tracking the success of your campaigns within Google Analytics and other platforms.

Favorite Features:

• Custom UTM Parameters: UTM.io allows you to easily create custom UTM tags for your affiliate links, helping you track the source, medium, campaign, and other relevant parameters for precise reporting.
• Team Collaboration: It includes features that allow multiple team members to collaborate on UTM link creation, making it ideal for teams managing large-scale campaigns.
• Link Management: The tool provides easy-to-use link management features, allowing you to organize and monitor all your UTM links in one place.
• Automated Link Building: You can automate the generation of UTM links, saving time on repetitive tasks and ensuring consistency across your marketing efforts.
• Analytics Integration: UTM.io integrates with Google Analytics, allowing you to quickly pull up the data associated with your links and campaigns.

Pros	Cons
Simple and intuitive interface for link building.	The free version has limited features.
Allows for easy collaboration within teams.	Can be overwhelming for beginners.
Automates the creation of UTM links.	More advanced features are locked behind paid plans.
Seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics.	Customization options could be expanded.
Excellent for organizing and tracking multiple links.	Doesn’t offer as many features for advanced users compared to other tools.

10. ClickMeter

ClickMeter is a comprehensive link tracking and analytics tool designed to help affiliate marketers monitor, manage, and optimize their campaigns.

It provides powerful tracking features, including the ability to track clicks, conversions, and other key performance indicators.

ClickMeter offers a range of tools for URL shortening, redirection, and reporting, making it suitable for marketers looking to streamline their tracking process.

Favorite Features:

• Link Management: ClickMeter offers an organized dashboard for managing all your affiliate links, allowing you to view detailed statistics on click-through rates and conversion performance.
• Customizable Tracking Links: The tool allows you to create branded, customized tracking links, which are great for boosting your professional image and increasing trust with your audience.
• Real-Time Reporting: ClickMeter provides real-time tracking data, so you can quickly see how your campaigns are performing and make adjustments as needed.
• Conversion Tracking: You can easily track conversions and sales, providing a clear view of how well your affiliate links are driving results.
• Advanced Analytics: ClickMeter’s reporting capabilities are robust, offering insights like traffic sources, geographical data, and device tracking, helping you understand exactly where your clicks are coming from.

Pros	Cons
Comprehensive and easy-to-use tracking tool.	Free version is very limited in features.
Real-time reporting helps make quick decisions.	Can get pricey as you scale up.
Customizable tracking links enhance branding.	The interface can feel a bit cluttered.
Excellent for conversion tracking and insights.	Some features are more suited for advanced users.
Detailed analytics on click sources and traffic.	The free version limits the number of clicks you can track.

11. LinkTrackr

LinkTrackr is a robust link tracking tool tailored to affiliate marketers, allowing them to monitor clicks, conversions, and traffic sources effectively.

This tool is great for tracking individual affiliate campaigns, helping marketers optimize their efforts for better performance.

LinkTrackr also offers powerful features for split-testing, conversion tracking, and detailed reporting to ensure that marketers can make data-driven decisions.

Favorite Features:

• Advanced Link Tracking: LinkTrackr offers detailed click tracking, allowing you to monitor traffic sources, click-through rates, and conversions with precision.
• Split-Testing: You can easily set up A/B tests to compare different versions of your affiliate links and landing pages, optimizing your conversions over time.
• Detailed Reporting: LinkTrackr provides comprehensive reports that break down each campaign’s performance, giving you clear insights into which affiliate links are driving the best results.
• Geo-Targeting: The tool enables you to target different regions with specific affiliate links, which helps you cater to various demographics and optimize campaign performance.
• Affiliate Program Management: You can manage and track multiple affiliate programs within LinkTrackr, keeping everything organized and under control.

Pros	Cons
Excellent for advanced affiliate tracking.	The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
Supports A/B testing and geo-targeting for optimization.	Free plan is very limited.
Comprehensive reporting to analyze link performance.	Requires a paid plan for full feature access.
Tracks affiliate commissions and conversions effectively.	Limited integrations with some affiliate networks.
Allows you to manage multiple affiliate programs.	Setup and configuration may require some learning.

12. Rebrandly

Rebrandly is a powerful link management tool that offers URL shortening and branding. It’s ideal for affiliate marketers who want to make their links look more professional and trackable.

Rebrandly provides detailed analytics for each link, helping marketers measure performance and optimize campaigns.

The tool also allows users to create branded short links, which can improve trust and click-through rates.

Favorite Features:

• Custom Branded Links: You can create custom short URLs using your own domain name, which adds credibility and makes your links look professional.
• Advanced Analytics: Rebrandly offers detailed insights into your links’ performance, including click-through rates, geographic data, and device usage.
• Link Management Dashboard: It’s easy to manage all your links in one place with Rebrandly’s intuitive dashboard, keeping your affiliate campaigns organized.
• Integrations: Rebrandly integrates with many popular platforms, including WordPress, Zapier, and Google Analytics, making it easy to streamline your workflow.
• Link Collaboration: You can collaborate on link management with team members, which is helpful for larger affiliate marketing teams.

Pros	Cons
Great for creating custom branded links.	Free plan offers limited features.
Excellent analytics and reporting tools.	Limited link customization on the free plan.
Easy-to-use dashboard for managing links.	Some features are only available in paid plans.
Offers seamless integrations with various tools.	Custom domain setup requires a paid plan.
Supports team collaboration for shared link management.	Can be confusing for beginners at first.

13. TinyURL

TinyURL is one of the oldest and simplest URL shortening tools available. It’s ideal for affiliate marketers who want a quick, easy way to shorten links without any frills.

The tool is free to use, and it doesn’t require an account to get started. TinyURL also allows you to customize your shortened links, making them more recognizable and user-friendly for your audience.

Favorite Features:

• Customizable Links: TinyURL lets you create custom short links by adding your preferred alias, making them easy to remember and share.
• No Account Needed: Unlike many other tools, you can shorten links without the need for creating an account, which saves time.
• Quick and Easy: The process of shortening a link is straightforward and fast, making it perfect for affiliate marketers who want to focus on their campaigns, not on setting up tools.
• Free to Use: TinyURL offers all its basic features for free, making it accessible for affiliate marketers on a tight budget.
• Reliable Performance: TinyURL has been around for a long time and is known for its stability and reliability.

Pros	Cons
Fast and easy to use without needing an account.	Limited features compared to other tools.
Customizable short links help with branding.	No advanced analytics or tracking capabilities.
Free to use with no hidden fees.	Doesn’t provide detailed performance insights.
Reliable and widely recognized in the affiliate space.	Lacks integrations with other tools and platforms.
Great for simple and quick URL shortening.	Limited options for link management.

14. Everflow

Everflow is a comprehensive affiliate marketing and performance tracking platform designed to help marketers track, analyze, and optimize affiliate campaigns.

It’s a robust tool that goes beyond simple link tracking by offering advanced reporting, analytics, and management features.

With its user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities, Everflow is particularly popular among affiliate marketers and networks looking to scale and optimize their campaigns.

Favorite Features:

• Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Everflow offers in-depth insights into affiliate campaign performance, allowing you to track metrics such as conversions, clicks, and revenue in real time. This helps you identify what’s working and what’s not, so you can adjust your campaigns accordingly.
• Affiliate Management: Everflow provides a complete suite of tools to manage affiliates, including tracking performance, automating payouts, and managing commission structures. This is particularly helpful if you have a large affiliate network to oversee.
• Customizable Dashboards: The platform allows you to create custom dashboards that display the metrics most important to you. You can tailor your view to focus on clicks, conversions, revenue, or any other key metric, making it easier to track and manage your campaigns.
• Geotargeting and Traffic Filtering: One of the standout features is the ability to filter and target traffic based on geographical location. This allows you to tailor your affiliate campaigns more precisely to specific audiences, leading to more effective marketing strategies.
• Integration with Third-Party Tools: Everflow offers integrations with popular affiliate networks, CRMs, and marketing platforms like Google Analytics, Salesforce, and more. These integrations help streamline your workflow by centralizing all data in one place.

Pros	Cons
Advanced reporting features with real-time analytics.	Some features can be overwhelming for beginners.
Affiliate management tools help automate many processes.	Pricing can be high for small businesses or solo marketers.
Customizable dashboards make tracking simpler.	Learning curve for those unfamiliar with affiliate management tools.
Geotargeting and traffic filtering allow precise targeting.	May require technical knowledge to set up advanced features.
Seamless integration with third-party tools and networks.	Doesn’t offer a free plan—only a demo version.

Conclusion

Choosing the right link tracking tool is not only about managing URLs—it’s about gaining control over your affiliate business.

Without tracking, you’re flying blind, guessing which links drive sales and which ones just sit there. With the right tool, you can see what’s working, optimize your strategy, and make smarter decisions that boost your earnings.

The most interesting part is that you do not need to spend a dime to get started. These free tools give you everything you need to track clicks, shorten links, and analyze performance.

Whether you want a simple URL shortener or a full-featured tracking system, there’s an option that fits your needs.

Now it’s time to take action. Pick a tool, start tracking, and take control of your affiliate marketing success. The more you know about your links, the more money you can make—so why wait?