Shlink
Branded links, routing rules and serious click stats in one container; the QR endpoint is living on borrowed time.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- Installation
- Run the official Docker image, or unpack the PHP distribution and connect SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQL Server
- Operational Setup
- The first hurdle is operating two pieces, a Shlink API plus its web client, and supplying a public domain, HTTPS, database persistence and an API key; built-in QR generation is deprecated.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Short links, domains, tags, visits and geolocation records live in the configured relational database; cache files live in Shlink's writable `data` directory, and the separate web client talks to the server through an API key.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Shlink supplies the shortening API and analytics, but the user must host a separate web client, operate the server, and accept that its built-in QR endpoint is being deprecated.
Replaces 1 paid app
up to $35/mo ($420/yr) in subscriptions
Shlink FAQ
Common questions
Is Shlink free and open source?+
Shlink is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. Branded links, routing rules and serious click stats in one container; the QR endpoint is living on borrowed time.
What paid software does Shlink replace?+
Shlink serves as a free replacement for 1 paid SaaS application: Bitly, saving up to $35/month ($420/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Shlink?+
Installation: Run the official Docker image, or unpack the PHP distribution and connect SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQL Server. Setup notes: The first hurdle is operating two pieces, a Shlink API plus its web client, and supplying a public domain, HTTPS, database persistence and an API key; built-in QR generation is deprecated.
What is the catch or trade-off with Shlink?+
Shlink supplies the shortening API and analytics, but the user must host a separate web client, operate the server, and accept that its built-in QR endpoint is being deprecated.