Shlink Web Client 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 Web Client
Web dashboard for managing Shlink instances
VS
Simple-URL-Shortener
KISS URL shortener, public or private (with account)
| Feature | Shlink Web Client | Simple-URL-Shortener |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 391 | ★ 59 |
| First released | 2018 | 2015 |
| Replaces | 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
Choose Simple-URL-Shortener if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Written in PHP
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Shlink Web Client or Simple-URL-Shortener better?
Shlink Web Client is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Simple-URL-Shortener if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Shlink Web Client and Simple-URL-Shortener free and open-source?
Yes. Shlink Web Client is licensed under MIT and Simple-URL-Shortener under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Shlink Web Client and Simple-URL-Shortener with Docker?
Shlink Web Client: yes. Simple-URL-Shortener: check the project docs for container support.