Simple-URL-Shortener vs YOURLS
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?
Simple-URL-Shortener
KISS URL shortener, public or private (with account)
VS
YOURLS
Your own URL shortener with stats and plugins
| Feature | Simple-URL-Shortener | YOURLS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 59 | ★ 12,146 |
| First released | 2015 | 2009 |
| Replaces | — | Bitly |
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 Simple-URL-Shortener or YOURLS better?
YOURLS 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 Simple-URL-Shortener and YOURLS free and open-source?
Yes. Simple-URL-Shortener is licensed under MIT and YOURLS under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Simple-URL-Shortener and YOURLS with Docker?
Simple-URL-Shortener: check the project docs for container support. YOURLS: yes.