anon.to compared with typical URL shorteners
A typical URL shortener makes a link shorter. anon.to also hides where your visitors came from and keeps no record of who opened what.
| Typical URL shorteners | anon.to |
|---|---|
| Tracking | |
| Often record each time a link is opened, with details such as the time, the IP address and the browser. | Keeps no record of a single redirect: not the destination, the time, the referrer, the IP address or the browser. |
| Counting | |
| Usually count how often each link is opened and show the count to its owner. | Counts nothing. No link has a count, for its owner or anyone else. |
| The referrer | |
| The destination can usually still see which page or site sent the visitor. | A link arrives at its destination with no HTTP referrer, so the destination cannot see which page or site sent the visitor. |
| Cookies | |
| Opening a link may set cookies. | Opening a link sets no cookie and starts no session. |
| Account | |
| Often needed to shorten a link or to keep it. | Not needed. An account adds listing and removing your links and getting their QR codes later. |
| Seeing the destination | |
| Usually send you straight on, so you see where a link leads only once you are there. | The redirect page shows the full destination first, so you always know where a link leads before you get there. |