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/
shlinkio
Why Choose Shlink?
In a landscape dominated by closed, cloud-based link shorteners, Shlink stands out with a fundamentally different approach:
- Truly Open Source
100% MIT licensed, Shlink lets you self-host, audit, and extend every aspect of your link management stack. - Custom Domains & Slugs
Serve short links under your own domains, with human-friendly or auto-generated slugs—no more generic, unbranded URLs. - Advanced Analytics
Track every click with anonymized stats, geolocation, device/browser breakdowns, and referrer data—without compromising user privacy. - API-First & CLI-Ready
Manage links, domains, and analytics via a robust REST API or command-line interface—perfect for automation and integration. - Progressive Web App
Manage multiple Shlink instances from a beautiful, intuitive PWA—on desktop or mobile. - Flexible Installation
Deploy with Docker, on any PHP server, or in your own cloud—Shlink is platform-agnostic and easy to set up. - No Vendor Lock-In
Your data, your links, your rules—no forced subscriptions, no tracking, no risk of service shutdown.
Spotlight on Key Features
1. Powerful Link Management
• 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
2. Analytics & Reporting
• 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
3. API & Automation
• 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
4. Security & Privacy
• Self-hosted for complete data control
• No third-party tracking or analytics
• GDPR-friendly by design
• Role-based access and API key management
5. Flexible Deployment
• 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
Shlink vs. Closed-Source Alternatives
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 |
Beyond the Feature Matrix
- No Subscription Fatigue: Shlink is free to use and self-host, with no per-link or per-user fees.
- No Vendor Lock-In: Your links and analytics are always accessible, exportable, and portable.
- No Data Privacy Worries: Your click data never leaves your infrastructure.
- No Feature Gating: All features are available to every user, with no upsells or premium tiers.
Getting Started in Minutes
Shlink is designed for effortless deployment and use:
🐳 Docker (Recommended)
docker run -d -p 8080:8080 -e SHORT_DOMAIN_HOST=your.domain.com shlinkio/shlink:stable
- Or use the official Docker Compose file for multi-container setups.
💻 Manual Installation
- Download the latest dist file or clone the repo
- Follow the installation guide
- Configure your database and domains
🌐 Try the Web Client
- Use the official Shlink web client or self-host your own for full control
Real-World Success Stories
"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
Practical Applications
Marketing & Campaign Tracking
Create branded, trackable short links for every campaign, with real-time analytics and no third-party tracking.
Internal Tools & DevOps
Automate link generation for internal dashboards, documentation, and resources—integrate with CI/CD and chatops.
Privacy-Conscious Organizations
Keep all click data in-house, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and internal policies.
Community & Open Source Projects
Share resources, documentation, and event links with a self-hosted, community-friendly solution.
Join the Shlink Community
With nearly 4,000 GitHub stars and a growing contributor base, Shlink is rapidly evolving:
- Contribute Code: Help enhance features or fix bugs via GitHub
- Suggest Features: Share your ideas on GitHub Issues or Discussions
- Sponsor Development: Support the project or spread the word
Final Thoughts
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.
