Shlink vs Shlink Web Client
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?
Shlink
The definitive self-hosted URL shortener
VS
Shlink Web Client
Web dashboard for managing Shlink instances
| Feature | Shlink | Shlink Web Client |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | PHP | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,192 | ★ 391 |
| First released | 2016 | 2018 |
| Replaces | Bitly, Rebrandly | Bitly |
Why pick each one
Choose Shlink Web Client if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Shlink or Shlink Web Client better?
Neither is universally better. Shlink has the larger community, while Shlink Web Client is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Shlink and Shlink Web Client free and open-source?
Yes. Shlink is licensed under MIT and Shlink Web Client under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Shlink and Shlink Web Client with Docker?
Shlink: yes. Shlink Web Client: yes.