# Shlink

> Shlink is a free, open-source app you can self-host in the URL shorteners category. URL shortener with REST API and command line interface. Includes official progressive web application and docker images. It has 5,316 GitHub stars, is released under the MIT license and ships a Docker image. It is a self-hosted alternative to Bitly.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | https://github.com/shlinkio/shlink |
| Website | https://shlink.io/ |
| GitHub stars | 5,316 |
| Forks | 422 |
| Open issues | 21 |
| License | MIT |
| License type | Open source |
| Language | PHP |
| Docker image | Yes |
| Platforms | PHP, Docker |
| Categories | URL Shorteners |
| Commits, last 12 months | 246 |
| Last commit | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Latest release | v5.1.7 (Sep 21, 2026) |
| Created | Apr 8, 2016 |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained |
| Archived | No |

Topics: php, url-shortener, rest-api, mezzio, laminas

## Install

Shlink ships a Docker image; follow the README at https://github.com/shlinkio/shlink for the image name and environment variables.

Need it installed for you? [appsgit installation help](https://appsgit.com/services/install): a fixed quote by email, single app installs from $79.

## Shlink replaces

- [Bitly alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/bitly): A link shortener with click analytics and branded links.

## Similar apps in URL Shorteners

- [Dub](https://appsgit.com/apps/dub): Open-source link management and short links with conversion analytics. (24,864 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker)
- [YOURLS](https://appsgit.com/apps/yourls): YOURLS is a 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. (12,253 stars, MIT, PHP)
- [Kutt](https://appsgit.com/apps/kutt): Modern URL shortener with support for custom domains and custom URLs. (11,138 stars, MIT, JavaScript, Docker)
- [Chhoto URL](https://appsgit.com/apps/chhoto-url): Simple, lightning-fast URL shortener with no bloat (fork of simply-shorten). (980 stars, MIT, Rust, Docker)
- [Flare](https://appsgit.com/apps/flare): A nonbloated, modern, and highly configurable file/screenshot vault server with support for ShareX, Flameshot, and Spectacle. Offers OCR search and more. (136 stars, MIT, TypeScript, Docker)
- [bit](https://appsgit.com/apps/bit): Fast, lightweight, resource-efficient, compiled URL shortener. (107 stars, MIT, Crystal, Docker)
- [snowshare](https://appsgit.com/apps/snowshare): File and link sharing platform with URL shortening, code snippet sharing, and file uploads, featuring customizable expiration, privacy settings, and QR codes. (87 stars, CC0-1.0, TypeScript, Docker)
- [Simple-URL-Shortener](https://appsgit.com/apps/simple-url-shortener): KISS URL shortener, public or private (with account). Minimalist and lightweight. No dependencies. (60 stars, MIT, PHP)

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