YOURLS

Name: YOURLS
Brand: YOURLS
Rating: 4.6 (14 reviews)

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Self-hosted URL shortener with powerful features and full data control.

Developer Tools Productivity Analytics API Tools

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4.6(14 across the web)

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Reviews onG2

14 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Complete control over your data and domain

Biggest con

Requires self-hosting and technical setup

TL;DR - YOURLS

Self-hosted, open-source URL shortener.
Provides full control over data and domain.
Includes powerful stats, API, and plugin architecture.

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

4.6/5 across review platforms

What is YOURLS?

Editorial review

YOURLS (Your Own URL Shortener) is a free and open-source software that allows users to run their own URL shortening service. Unlike commercial URL shorteners, YOURLS gives users complete control over their data and domain, ensuring privacy and customization. It's designed for individuals, developers, and businesses who want to brand their short links, manage their link data, and integrate shortening capabilities into their own applications. The platform offers robust features including bookmarklets for quick shortening, a developer API for integration, and comprehensive statistics. These statistics provide historical click reports, referrer tracking, and visitor geo-location data, offering valuable insights into link performance. Its extensible architecture, supported by a plugin system, allows users to easily add new functionalities and tailor the software to their specific needs, making it a flexible solution for custom URL shortening.

Available on: Web

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceyourls.org ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Complete control over your data and domain
Free to use and open-source
Highly customizable through plugins
Detailed analytics for link performance
Developer-friendly with an API

Cons

Requires self-hosting and technical setup
Maintenance and updates are user's responsibility

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(14 reviews)

G214 reviews

4.6/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Preview

Key Features

Free and open-source software (FOSS)Full control over dataUses your own domain for short URLsBookmarklets for quick shorteningDeveloper API for integrationAwesome statistics with historical click reportsReferrers trackingVisitors geo-location tracking

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 10, 2026

FOSS

Free

Bookmarklets
developer API
awesome stats with historical click reports
referrers tracking
visitors geo-location
plugin architecture

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Is YOURLS worth the price?

100/100

YOURLS is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free and open-source.

There are no paid tiers, making it an incredibly fair and accessible option for anyone needing a URL shortener. This is best for individuals, small businesses, or developers who prioritize full control and cost-effectiveness.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Hosting costs for self-installation

Time investment for setup/maintenance

No dedicated support included

How YOURLS Compares to Competitors

Unlike paid services like Bitly, which offers a free tier with limited features and paid plans starting around $8/month, YOURLS provides all its powerful features for free. Rebrandly's free tier is also more restrictive, making YOURLS a superior value proposition for those willing to self-host.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 14 verified user reviews on G2

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Best YOURLS Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

View full list →

BitlyFreemium

URL shortener and link management

4.7

RebrandlyFreemium

Create branded short links with custom domains and analytics

4.5

Short.ioFreemium

Branded short links with custom domains and analytics

4.4

KuttFree

Shorten, customize, and manage your URLs with advanced options.

ShlinkFree

Self-hosted, open-source URL shortener with extensive features and API access.

PolrFree

Host your own open-source, modern, and customizable URL shortener.

See all developer tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All YOURLS alternatives6+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick YOURLS vs BitlyHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins YOURLS vs RebrandlyHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins YOURLS vs Short.ioHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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YOURLS FAQ

What kind of data control does YOURLS offer users?

YOURLS provides users with full control over their data by allowing them to host the software on their own domain. This ensures data privacy and ownership without third-party dependencies.

Can YOURLS be integrated with other applications or services?

Yes, YOURLS offers a developer API, which enables integration with other applications. This allows for custom solutions and extended functionality beyond the core features.

What specific statistical insights does YOURLS provide for shortened links?

YOURLS offers comprehensive statistics including historical click reports, tracking of referrers, and geo-location data of visitors. These features provide detailed insights into link performance and audience engagement.

How can users extend the functionality of YOURLS beyond its default features?

Users can extend YOURLS' functionality through its terrific plugin architecture. There are dozens of available plugins that allow for easy implementation of new features, tailoring the software to specific needs.

Is there a way to quickly shorten links directly from a web browser using YOURLS?

Yes, YOURLS supports bookmarklets, which allow users to quickly shorten links directly from their web browser. This provides a convenient and efficient way to create short URLs on the fly.

Source: yourls.org

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