bit vs Slash
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
Slash
Open-source, self-hosted bookmarks and link shortener
| Feature | bit | Slash |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Crystal | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 105 | ★ 3,169 |
| First released | 2025 | 2023 |
| Replaces | — | Bitly, go links |
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 Slash if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.2k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is bit or Slash better?
Slash 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 Slash free and open-source?
Yes. bit is licensed under MIT and Slash under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run bit and Slash with Docker?
bit: yes. Slash: yes.