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Discovering amazing open source projects
Discovering amazing open source projects
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Shlink delivers a powerful, privacy-first, and fully open-source URL shortener—offering advanced analytics, custom domains, and API-first design, all without the lock-in, tracking, or fees of closed-source alternatives.
URL shorteners are everywhere, but most popular options—like Bitly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly—come with trade-offs: limited customization, data privacy concerns, and recurring fees. Shlink is changing the game. As a self-hosted, open-source URL shortener, Shlink gives you complete control over your links, analytics, and domains—empowering you to build branded, trackable, and privacy-respecting short links for any use case.
Website: https://shlink.io/
In a landscape dominated by closed, cloud-based link shorteners, Shlink stands out with a fundamentally different approach:
• Create, edit, and delete short URLs with custom slugs • Support for multiple domains and domain management • Set expiration dates, maximum visit limits, and one-time-use links • QR code generation for every short link • Tagging and filtering for easy organization
• Real-time click tracking with anonymized stats • Geolocation, device, browser, and referrer analytics • Exportable reports for further analysis • Privacy-first: no user tracking or invasive cookies
• Full-featured REST API for all operations • Command-line interface for power users • Webhooks and integrations for custom workflows • Easy integration with marketing, CRM, or analytics tools
• Self-hosted for complete data control • No third-party tracking or analytics • GDPR-friendly by design • Role-based access and API key management
• Docker image for one-command setup • PHP-based for compatibility with most hosting providers • Works with MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or SQLite • Scalable for personal use or enterprise deployments
How does Shlink compare to the big names in link shortening? Here’s a side-by-side look:
Feature | Shlink | Bitly | TinyURL | Rebrandly |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | Free, open-source | $8-$199/mo | Free (limited) | $13-$499/mo |
Data Control | 100% self-hosted | Cloud-only | Cloud-only | Cloud-only |
Source Code | ✅ MIT License | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
Custom Domains | ✅ Unlimited | ⚠️ Paid only | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Paid |
Custom Slugs | ✅ Always | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Analytics | ✅ Advanced, privacy-first | ✅ | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ |
API Access | ✅ Full | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ |
QR Codes | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
CLI Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Self-Hosting | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
PWA | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Community | 3.9k+ stars | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Shlink is designed for effortless deployment and use:
docker run -d -p 8080:8080 -e SHORT_DOMAIN_HOST=your.domain.com shlinkio/shlink:stable
for multi-container setups.
or clone the repo
or self-host your own for full control
"Shlink gave us the power to run branded short links for all our campaigns, with analytics we control and no privacy headaches." — Priya, Digital Marketing Lead
"We replaced Bitly with Shlink and now have unlimited custom domains, no monthly fees, and full API automation for our workflows." — Alex, SaaS Founder
Create branded, trackable short links for every campaign, with real-time analytics and no third-party tracking.
Automate link generation for internal dashboards, documentation, and resources—integrate with CI/CD and chatops.
Keep all click data in-house, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and internal policies.
Share resources, documentation, and event links with a self-hosted, community-friendly solution.
With nearly 4,000 GitHub stars and a growing contributor base, Shlink is rapidly evolving:
URL shortening shouldn’t mean giving up control, privacy, or flexibility. Shlink represents a new era of link management—open, powerful, and truly yours. Whether you’re a marketer, developer, or privacy advocate, Shlink offers a compelling alternative to closed, subscription-based platforms.
Ready to take charge of your links? Explore shlink.io or dive into the code on GitHub.
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