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Shlink alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Shlink: you run and maintain the server, and no managed hosted version. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Shlink, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. YOURLS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Short.io logoShort.ioFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android +15 of 555.3
  1. Short.io logo

    1. Short.ioTop pick

    Best for: Small businesses that want branded short links on their own domains without paying much

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Shlink

    A hosted option with custom domains if you'd rather not run a server.

    Pros

    • Custom domains on the free plan
    • Low-cost entry paid plan
    • Deep links, targeting and A/B redirects

    Cons

    • Interface is functional rather than polished
    • Advanced security features only on higher tiers
    • Tracked-click caps on lower plans
    Visit Short.io Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Short.io a good Shlink alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    5 custom domains, 1,000 branded links
    Checked Oct 25, 2026short.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Hobby plan
    $5/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026short.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $18/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026short.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $48/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026short.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    1.2 million+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026short.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Shlink alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

YOURLS logo

Best Shlink alternative for most people

YOURLS

The other popular self-hosted shortener, with a large plugin ecosystem.

Kutt logo

Best Shlink alternative for a free option

Kutt

Open source with a friendlier web UI and an optional hosted service.

Dub logo

Best Shlink alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Dub

Open source with a hosted service, conversion tracking and team features.

Sink logo

Best Shlink alternative for open source

Sink

Serverless on Cloudflare instead of your own server.

YOURLS logo

Best Shlink alternative for self-hosting

YOURLS

The other popular self-hosted shortener, with a large plugin ecosystem.

Short.io logo

Best Shlink alternative for iPhone and Android

Short.io

A hosted option with custom domains if you'd rather not run a server.

YOURLS logo

Best Shlink alternative for working in the browser

YOURLS

The other popular self-hosted shortener, with a large plugin ecosystem.

Shlink alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Shlink?

YOURLS ranks first right now. The other popular self-hosted shortener, with a large plugin ecosystem. Kutt and Dub follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Shlink?

Yes. YOURLS (open source), Kutt (open source), Dub (free plan + paid) and Sink (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Shlink?

Yes: YOURLS, Kutt, Dub and Sink. YOURLS, Kutt and Dub can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Shlink?

The complaints we hear most: you run and maintain the server; no managed hosted version; analytics simpler than commercial tools.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Shlink, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.