Shlink
URL shortener with REST API and command line interface. Includes official progressive web application and docker images.
Shlink vs YOURLS
Two self-hosted URL Shorteners apps, compared on the facts we track: GitHub popularity and activity, license, language, Docker images and a rough hosting estimate.
Side by side
| Shlink | YOURLS | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | URL shortener with REST API and command line interface. Includes official progressive web application and docker images. | Set of PHP scripts that will allow you to run Your Own URL Shortener. Features include password protection, URL customization, bookmarklets, statistics, API, plugins, jsonp. |
| GitHub stars | 5,401 | 12,298 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 229 | 118 |
| Last activity | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-03 |
| Latest release | v5.1.8 (2026-10-21) | 1.10.6 (2026-08-30) |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language / platform | PHP, Docker | PHP |
| Docker Hub image | – | – |
| Docker pulls | – | – |
| Est. server size | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU |
| Est. hosting from | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Categories | URL Shorteners | URL Shorteners |
| Links | Website · Source | Website · Source |
What the numbers say
- YOURLS is more popular on GitHub: 12.3k stars vs 5.4k for Shlink.
- Shlink had more commits in the last 12 months (229 vs 118).
- Shlink published a release more recently (v5.1.8 on 2026-10-21; YOURLS's latest is 1.10.6 on 2026-08-30).
- Both are licensed under MIT.
- Both are written in PHP.
- Deployment options listed upstream: Shlink: Docker; YOURLS: none listed.
Summary: Shlink leads on commit activity; YOURLS leads on GitHub popularity. The right choice depends on the features you need — read both project descriptions and docs.
This summary is generated from GitHub, Docker Hub and awesome-selfhosted data as of 2026-11-05. It does not rate features or quality.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shlink or YOURLS more popular?
YOURLS has more GitHub stars (12,298 vs 5,401 for Shlink, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, Shlink or YOURLS?
Shlink had more commits over the last 12 months (229 vs 118). The last recorded activity was 2026-11-02 for Shlink and 2026-11-03 for YOURLS. Our health labels: Shlink is “Active”, YOURLS is “Active”.
What licenses do Shlink and YOURLS use?
Both use MIT.
Can I run Shlink and YOURLS with Docker?
We did not detect a Docker Hub image for either app. The upstream listing mentions Docker as a deployment option for Shlink. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
YOURLS
Set of PHP scripts that will allow you to run Your Own URL Shortener. Features include password protection, URL customization, bookmarklets, statistics, API, plugins, jsonp.
Browse all self-hosted URL Shorteners apps.