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Open Short URL
What it is
Open Short URL is a free, MIT-licensed, self-hosted URL shortener that keeps data on your own server. It offers web, API, and self-hosted access, with custom domains, custom slugs, passwords, and expiration settings. Dashboards track clicks, geographic locations, devices, browsers, and referrers. A/B testing distributes traffic between destinations using weighted rules, while smart routing can use device, location, language, time, and custom conditions. URL bundles organize links and support bulk operations. The REST API uses API-key authentication, and webhooks report link clicks, creation, and updates. Built-in AI chat supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere; an MCP server connects with Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf. Security features include rate limiting, Cloudflare Turnstile, role-based access, two-factor authentication, password protection, and expiring links. Deployment documentation covers Docker, manual hosting, VPS, Fly, PaaS, and Vercel frontend hosting. There are no monthly or annual fees or link/click quotas, but infrastructure costs remain.
For and against
For
- Data stays on your server
- No link or click quotas
- REST API and webhooks
- Smart routing and A/B testing
- Multiple security controls
Against
- Self-hosting infrastructure is required
- Redis is recommended above 50K daily clicks
- Support relies on documentation and GitHub issues
The verdict
Open Short URL provides extensive link controls, analytics, integrations, and privacy through self-hosting. Its infrastructure responsibilities and higher-volume Redis guidance should be considered before deployment.
Who it suits
Open Short URL suits businesses, marketers, privacy-conscious users, and developers wanting self-hosting, API access, and no vendor lock-in. It also fits teams needing routing, analytics, bulk links, or custom domains.
Plans and prices
Open Short URL
No monthly or annual fees · No link/click limits or quotas · Self-hosted infrastructure costs apply
Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- A/B testing
- A/B testing splits traffic between destinations using weighted distribution.supra126.github.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- AI integrations
- The project says its built-in AI assistant supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere, and its MCP server connects with Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- AI providers
- The built-in AI chat assistant supports Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, Mistral, and Cohere.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Analytics
- Its analytics track clicks, geographic locations, devices, browsers, referrers, and UTM campaigns.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- API access
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Bulk link creation
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Custom domains
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- The project documents Docker and manual self-hosting, VPS setup, Fly deployment, PaaS deployment, and hosting the frontend on Vercel.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Geo targeting
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- It offers a REST API with API key authentication, webhooks, and an MCP server for external AI assistants.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes it as suitable for businesses, marketers, privacy-conscious users, and developers seeking API access and no vendor lock-in.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is released under the MIT License.supra126.github.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The README says there are no link or click quotas and recommends considering Redis above 50K clicks per day or for multiple instances.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Limits and costs
- The README states there are no monthly or annual fees and no link or click quotas, while noting a one-time infrastructure investment.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Link controls
- Links can use custom slugs, passwords, and expiration settings.supra126.github.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Organization
- URL bundles group links and support bulk operations.supra126.github.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The project says data stays on the user's server and describes the product as having no third-party tracking or data selling.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Open Short URL is a self-hosted URL shortener for creating short links while keeping data on your own server.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
