bit vs Lstu
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted url shorteners options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
bit
Fast, lightweight, resource-efficient, compiled URL shortener
VS
Lstu
Let's shorten that URL, simple and ephemeral
| Feature | bit | Lstu |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | WTFPL |
| Language | Crystal | Perl |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 105 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2025 | 2014 |
| Replaces | — | TinyURL, Bitly |
Why pick each one
Choose bit if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Crystal
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose Lstu if…
- Released under the WTFPL license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Perl
Frequently asked questions
Is bit or Lstu better?
Lstu is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider bit if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are bit and Lstu free and open-source?
Yes. bit is licensed under MIT and Lstu under WTFPL. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run bit and Lstu with Docker?
bit: yes. Lstu: yes.