Shlink
Shlink is a free, open-source URL shortener that you host yourself and use with domains you control.
What Shlink is
Shlink is a free, open-source URL shortener that you host yourself and use with domains you control. It provides REST and command-line interfaces, along with an official web client for managing multiple instances. A single instance can serve multiple short domains and supports custom slugs, including multi-segment slugs. Visit analytics include location, browser, and referrer information, with geolocation available through a GeoLite2 database. Visitor IP addresses are anonymized by default; disabling that behavior removes the instance's GDPR compliance claim. Dynamic redirects can respond to location, device type, or language, and access can be restricted by date range or maximum visits. Shlink can import short URLs from services including Bitly and YOURLS. Deployment options include a Docker image and a distributable package, and supported databases include MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and SQLite. The distributable package requires PHP 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5 and the required extensions. A free hosted web client, plus Docker and self-hosted client options, are available.
Good
- Short links use domains you control.
- Supports custom domains and multi-segment slugs.
- Analytics include location, browser, and referrer.
- Dynamic redirects can use location, device, or language.
- Supports several databases and deployment options.
Watch out
- The shortener is self-hosted.
- The distributable package requires PHP 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5.
- Turning off IP anonymization removes the GDPR compliance claim.
- HTTPS with RoadRunner or Docker requires operator-configured reverse proxy and certificate.
Who it suits
Shlink suits people or organizations that want to run a URL shortener on infrastructure they manage and use their own domains. Its analytics, redirect controls, and APIs may suit operators who need detailed link management.
Verdict
Shlink provides self-hosted link creation, analytics, and redirect controls across several deployment and database options. Operators should account for its runtime requirements and configure HTTPS through a reverse proxy when using RoadRunner or Docker.
Plans and prices
From Shlink's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Shlink | Free | Open-source, self-hosted URL shortener · MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from Shlink's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API access
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2001
- Bulk link creation
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2001
- Custom domains
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2001
- Database support
- Supported databases include MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and SQLite.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Deployment
- The maker offers a Docker image and a distributable package for self-hosting; Docker images are published on Docker Hub and GitHub Container Registry.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Domains and slugs
- One Shlink instance can serve multiple short domains and supports custom slugs, including multi-segment slugs.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Events
- Real-time updates can integrate with Mercure, RabbitMQ, or Redis Pub/Sub.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Geo targeting
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2001
- Imports
- Shlink can import existing short URLs from services including Bitly and YOURLS.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- The maker lists official PHP and JavaScript SDKs, Short Menu for Mac and iOS, a GNOME Shell extension, PowerToys Run, and an iOS shortcut.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Interfaces
- Shlink provides REST and command-line interfaces, plus an official web client for managing multiple instances.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- Visitor IP addresses are anonymized by default, and disabling that behavior removes the instance's GDPR compliance claim.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Redirects and access
- Dynamic redirects can use geolocation, device type, or language, and URL access can be limited by date range or maximum visits.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Runtime requirement
- The distributable package requires PHP 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5 and the required PHP extensions listed in its installation guide.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Security configuration
- For HTTPS with RoadRunner or Docker, the documentation describes using a reverse proxy with an HTTPS certificate; the operator configures that proxy.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Visit analytics
- It tracks short URL visits, including location, browser, and referrer, and can geolocate visitors using a GeoLite2 database.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Web client hosting
- The Shlink web client has a free hosted option that runs in the browser, as well as Docker and self-hosted options.checked 12 Oct 2001
- What it does
- Shlink is a self-hosted URL shortener that serves shortened URLs under domains you control.checked 12 Oct 2001
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