Best Open-Source URL Shortener Scripts for Developers 🔗🚀
If you're a developer looking to create a self-hosted URL shortener, open-source scripts provide the best flexibility, security, and control. Here’s a list of the best open-source URL shortener scripts you can use today!
1️⃣ YOURLS (Your Own URL Shortener)
🌟 The Most Popular Self-Hosted Shortener
✅ Features:
✔️ Custom short links (sho.rt/custom)
✔️ Click tracking & analytics 📊
✔️ API support for automation
✔️ Plugins for extra features 🔌
📌 GitHub: YOURLS Repository
📌 Demo: YOURLS Official Site
🔧 Requirements:
- PHP 7+
- MySQL
2️⃣ Kutt.it
🌟 Minimalist, Feature-Rich URL Shortener
✅ Features:
✔️ Clean UI with user authentication 🛡️
✔️ API for programmatic shortening
✔️ Custom domain support 🌍
✔️ Click stats & analytics
📌 GitHub: Kutt Repository
📌 Demo: Kutt.it
🔧 Requirements:
- Node.js
- MongoDB
3️⃣ Polr
🌟 Lightweight & Blazing Fast
✅ Features:
✔️ Simple and modern UI
✔️ API access for developers 🖥️
✔️ Custom aliases for URLs
✔️ Admin panel for managing links
📌 GitHub: Polr Repository
📌 Demo: Polr Project
🔧 Requirements:
- PHP 7+
- MySQL
4️⃣ Shlink
🌟 Enterprise-Grade URL Shortener
✅ Features:
✔️ REST API for advanced automation
✔️ QR code generation for short links 📱
✔️ Click analytics & geolocation tracking 🌍
✔️ CLI support for server management
📌 GitHub: Shlink Repository
📌 Demo: Shlink.io
🔧 Requirements:
- PHP 7.4+
- MySQL or PostgreSQL
5️⃣ Lstu (Let's Shorten That URL)
🌟 Super Simple & Lightweight
✅ Features:
✔️ Minimalist design 🎯
✔️ No database needed (SQLite-based)
✔️ API for URL management
✔️ Docker support for easy deployment 🐳
📌 GitHub: Lstu Repository
🔧 Requirements:
- Perl
- SQLite
6️⃣ Lessn More
🌟 A Fork of the Classic Lessn URL Shortener
✅ Features:
✔️ Super lightweight & self-hosted
✔️ No database required
✔️ Works with custom domains
📌 GitHub: Lessn More Repository
🔧 Requirements:
- PHP
7️⃣ URL-Shortener by PHP-MySQLi
🌟 Simple & Easy-to-Use PHP Script
✅ Features:
✔️ Basic link shortening
✔️ Admin panel for managing links
✔️ URL expiry option
📌 GitHub: PHP-MySQLi Shortener
🔧 Requirements:
- PHP 7+
- MySQL
How to Choose the Right URL Shortener? 🤔
| Feature | YOURLS | Kutt.it | Polr | Shlink | Lstu | Lessn More | PHP-MySQLi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Domains | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Analytics & Click Stats | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| API Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Database Required? | ✅ (MySQL) | ✅ (MongoDB) | ✅ (MySQL) | ✅ (MySQL/PostgreSQL) | ❌ (SQLite) | ❌ | ✅ (MySQL) |
| Ease of Setup | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Conclusion 🎯
If you want:
✔️ Best overall with plugins & analytics → YOURLS
✔️ Modern UI with API support → Kutt.it
✔️ Lightweight & fast → Polr
✔️ Enterprise-grade with advanced tracking → Shlink
✔️ No database, simple & easy → Lstu
✔️ Minimal & self-hosted with no database → Lessn More
✔️ Basic PHP script for personal use → PHP-MySQLi Shortener
🚀 Which one will you choose? Let me know in the comments! 😊