Open Short URL
Open Short URL is a free, MIT-licensed URL shortener that you host on your own server.
What Open Short URL is
Open Short URL is a free, MIT-licensed URL shortener that you host on your own server. It creates short links while keeping data on that server, with web, API, and self-hosted access. Links can use custom slugs, passwords, and expiration settings. Dashboards report clicks, geographic locations, devices, browsers, and referrers. A/B testing distributes visitors between destinations using weighted traffic, while smart routing can apply device, location, language, time, and custom rules. URL bundles group links and support bulk actions. The REST API uses API-key authentication, and webhooks cover URL clicks, creation, and updates. The built-in AI assistant supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere; an MCP server connects with Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf. Security features include rate limiting, Cloudflare Turnstile, role-based access, two-factor authentication, password-protected URLs, and expiring links. Docker, manual, VPS, Fly, PaaS, and Vercel deployment options are documented.
Good
- No monthly or annual fees
- No link or click quotas
- Custom domains and API access
- Detailed click analytics
- Multiple self-hosting deployment options
Watch out
- Self-hosting infrastructure costs apply
- Redis is recommended above 50K clicks per day
- Requires managing your own server
- AI assistant depends on listed providers
Who it suits
Open Short URL suits businesses, marketers, privacy-conscious users, and developers wanting self-hosting, API access, and no vendor lock-in. It also fits teams needing routing, analytics, bulk link management, or integrations.
Verdict
Open Short URL offers extensive link controls, analytics, routing, integrations, and security while keeping data on your infrastructure. Account for self-hosting work and infrastructure costs when evaluating it.
Plans and prices
From Open Short URL's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open Short URL | Free | No monthly or annual fees · No link/click limits or quotas · Self-hosted infrastructure costs apply |
The facts
Each one read from Open Short URL's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- A/B testing
- A/B testing splits traffic between destinations using weighted distribution.checked 12 Oct 2001
- AI integrations
- The project says its built-in AI assistant supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere, and its MCP server connects with Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf.checked 12 Oct 2001
- AI providers
- The built-in AI chat assistant supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Analytics
- Its dashboards track clicks, geographic locations, devices, browsers, and referrers.checked 12 Oct 2001
- API access
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Bulk link creation
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Custom domains
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Deployment
- The project documents Docker and manual self-hosting, VPS setup, Fly deployment, PaaS deployment, and hosting the frontend on Vercel.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Geo targeting
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Integrations
- The project describes a REST API with API-key authentication and webhooks for URL clicks, creation, and updates.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- The README describes it as suitable for businesses, marketers, privacy-conscious users, and developers seeking API access and no vendor lock-in.checked 12 Oct 2001
- License
- The project is released under the MIT License.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Limits
- The README says there are no link or click quotas and recommends considering Redis above 50K clicks per day or for multiple instances.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Link controls
- Links can use custom slugs, passwords, and expiration settings.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Organization
- URL bundles group links and support bulk operations.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- The project says data stays on the user's server and describes the product as having no third-party tracking or data selling.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Open Short URL is a self-hosted URL shortener for creating short links while keeping data on your own server.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Security
- Security features listed include password-protected URLs, expiring links, rate limiting, Cloudflare Turnstile, role-based access, and two-factor authentication.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Security features
- Listed security features include password-protected URLs, rate limiting, Cloudflare Turnstile, role-based access control, and two-factor authentication.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks reporters to email vulnerabilities privately and says reports are acknowledged within 48 hours, with a status update within 7 days.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Smart routing
- Smart routing can direct visitors based on device, location, language, time, and custom rules.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Support
- The project points users to its documentation and GitHub issue tracker for support.checked 12 Oct 2001
Money
- Limits and costs
- The README states there are no monthly or annual fees and no link or click quotas, while noting a one-time infrastructure investment.checked 12 Oct 2001
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