Shlink vs Simple-URL-Shortener
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
Simple-URL-Shortener
KISS URL shortener, public or private (with account)
| Feature | Shlink | Simple-URL-Shortener |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,192 | ★ 59 |
| First released | 2016 | 2015 |
| Replaces | Bitly, Rebrandly | — |
Why pick each one
Choose Simple-URL-Shortener if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Written in PHP
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Shlink or Simple-URL-Shortener better?
Neither is universally better. Shlink has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Shlink and Simple-URL-Shortener free and open-source?
Yes. Shlink is licensed under MIT and Simple-URL-Shortener under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Shlink and Simple-URL-Shortener with Docker?
Shlink: yes. Simple-URL-Shortener: check the project docs for container support.