Lstu vs Shlink
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?
Lstu
Let's shorten that URL, simple and ephemeral
VS
Shlink
The definitive self-hosted URL shortener
| Feature | Lstu | Shlink |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | WTFPL | MIT |
| Language | Perl | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 200 | ★ 5,192 |
| First released | 2014 | 2016 |
| Replaces | TinyURL, Bitly | Bitly, Rebrandly |
Why pick each one
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 Lstu or Shlink better?
Neither is universally better. Shlink has the larger community, while Lstu is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Lstu and Shlink free and open-source?
Yes. Lstu is licensed under WTFPL and Shlink under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Lstu and Shlink with Docker?
Lstu: yes. Shlink: yes.