Send a private review link
Replace a long review URL with a shareable link, then send the unlock password separately.
Short links with a password step
URL shortener with password protection
Paste a long URL, set a password, and copy a short LOCK.PUB link. Recipients must enter the password before the original website opens.
Create without signup · monthly limits apply
- Password required before redirect
- Recipient LOCK.PUB account not required
- Destination visible after unlock
- Monthly creation limits apply
LOCK.PUB
Usage guide
Turn a long URL into a protected short link
Share a long client-review address through a short LOCK.PUB link, with the unlock password sent separately.
Paste the destination URL
Keep the destination website’s sharing permissions in place. Choose a neutral public label that does not disclose the original address.
Set the required password
Create the protected short link and copy it. Guest use allows 3 links per month; a Free account allows 5 across all content types.
Share the link and password separately
Recipients enter the password before the destination opens. They do not need a LOCK.PUB account, but the destination may require its own login.
What this tool protects
The destination is visible and can be copied after unlock. This focused tool creates a reusable link without a custom expiry, custom slug or access-count limit; use the full link creator for plan-supported advanced settings.
Short links with a password step
Shorten a link for a private handoff
A short address is easy to share, but its length does not control who can open it. This link shortener adds a password step before revealing your destination. Keep the destination website’s own permissions in place.
Share a meeting invitation
Add a separate handoff step before revealing the meeting address. Retain the meeting’s own passcode and access rules.
Keep the shared message readable
Share a short address instead of a long path or query string. Choose a neutral public label for the unlock page.
Shortening a URL and controlling access
Use an ordinary shortener for public links that should open without a password. Choose LOCK.PUB when recipients should unlock the link first.
Compare TinyURL and LOCK.PUBSwipe horizontally to compare every column.
| Feature | LOCK.PUB protected short link | Ordinary short link without a password |
|---|---|---|
| Shareable short address | LOCK.PUB protected short linkYes | Ordinary short link without a passwordYes |
| Password before the destination opens | LOCK.PUB protected short linkRequired | Ordinary short link without a passwordNo |
| Destination visible after opening | LOCK.PUB protected short linkYes, after unlock | Ordinary short link without a passwordYes, after redirect |
| Original URL can bypass the wrapper | LOCK.PUB protected short linkYes | Ordinary short link without a passwordYes |
| Destination website permissions | LOCK.PUB protected short linkStill apply | Ordinary short link without a passwordStill apply |
URL shortening questions
Can I shorten a URL without a password?
This tool requires a password. If everyone should open your public link immediately, use an ordinary hyperlink or a shortener without a password gate.
Is this URL shortener free and account-free?
Guest use allows 3 links per month. A connected Free account allows 5 per month across content types. Pro removes the monthly creation limit; rate limits still apply. Recipients do not need a LOCK.PUB account.
Can I choose a custom alias or expiration here?
This focused tool creates a reusable link without a custom slug, expiry or access-count limit. Use the full link creator for the additional settings available on your plan.
Does shortening encrypt the destination website?
No. LOCK.PUB stores the destination URL encrypted, but the server processes it and the supplied password during unlock. This URL flow is not end-to-end encryption and does not change the destination website.
Can someone copy the original URL after unlocking?
Yes. Recipients can see and copy the destination after unlock, and anyone who already knows it can visit it directly. Keep the destination’s own permissions in place.
Can I add a password step to an existing TinyURL?
You can use an existing short URL as the destination and share the new LOCK.PUB link instead. The original short URL still works independently and keeps its own redirects or interstitials. LOCK.PUB is independent of TinyURL.
Does an account-free short link mean no tracking?
No. LOCK.PUB records access information and offers dashboard open counts, with more detail on paid plans. Account-free creation is not a promise of untraceable or zero-log visits.
Related tools and link guides
Need more links or advanced settings?
Pro removes the monthly creation limit and adds dashboard management and deeper access analytics. Use the full link creator for custom slugs, expiration and access limits.
URL shortener with password protection
Create without signup · monthly limits apply