Lstu vs Simply Shorten
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
Simply Shorten
Slimline self-hosted URL shortener with no bloat
| Feature | Lstu | Simply Shorten |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | WTFPL | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | Perl | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 200 | ★ 100 |
| First released | 2014 | 2020 |
| Replaces | TinyURL, Bitly | TinyURL |
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
Choose Simply Shorten if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Java
Frequently asked questions
Is Lstu or Simply Shorten better?
Neither is universally better. Lstu has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Lstu and Simply Shorten free and open-source?
Yes. Lstu is licensed under WTFPL and Simply Shorten under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Lstu and Simply Shorten with Docker?
Lstu: yes. Simply Shorten: yes.