YOURLS

Spec sheet

What it does

YOURLS is a set of PHP scripts for running your own URL-shortening service on your server and domain.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Free plan

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · yourls.org

API

The API can create or retrieve short URLs, expand links, return link statistics, and output JSON, XML, or raw text.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Support

The documentation directs users to search existing issues and read contribution guidelines before filing a new issue.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Admin access

Private mode is the default and protects the admin area with a login and password; public mode allows anyone with the URL to access it.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

API access

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · yourls.org

Authentication

The API supports username and password authentication or a passwordless signature mechanism.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Bookmarklets

YOURLS includes bookmarklets to shorten and share links.Read 12 Oct 2026 · app.yourls.org

Custom domains

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · yourls.org

Installation

YOURLS is installed on a website by uploading its files, configuring it, and connecting it to a database.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

License and documentation

The project states that its code is licensed MIT and its documentation CC BY 4.0.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Link statistics

It provides historical click reports, referrer tracking, and visitor geolocation.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Open source

YOURLS is free and open-source software, and its code is licensed under the MIT license.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Password security

YOURLS automatically replaces plain-text passwords in its configuration with encrypted hashes when it runs.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Plugins

Its plugin architecture lets users add features and behaviors without modifying core files; creating plugins requires some PHP knowledge.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Public shortening considerations

The documentation warns that a public shortening interface requires handling spam and may create performance and security concerns.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Server requirements

Installation requires PHP 8.1 or later, MySQL 5 or later, and a web server with mod_rewrite enabled; HTTPS support is listed as a requirement.Read 12 Oct 2026 · yourls.org

Plans and prices

Every YOURLS plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• URL shorteners#76 of 1568.1
• Link Management Tools#16 of 217.5
• Custom Url Shortener Software#22 of 277.5