miji.beAn open source URL shortener is URL shortener software whose source code is publicly available and that anyone can freely use / modify / redistribute. Examples include Kutt, Shlink, and YOURLS, all of which can be installed and used on your own server. According to each repository's listing, all three are licensed under MIT (as of October 2026). The OSI's Open Source Definition lists conditions such as free redistribution, access to the source code, and permission to modify and distribute derived works.
One advantage of an open source URL shortener is that data can be kept under the organization's own control. When using a commercial SaaS, click logs and user information are accumulated on a third party's servers, but with self-hosting, all data can be kept within the organization's own infrastructure. For organizations considering how to comply with data protection regulations such as the GDPR and the CCPA, this can be a reason for choosing one.
Customizability is another feature. Kutt is built with Node.js, and according to its README, the default database is SQLite (Postgres and MySQL / MariaDB can also be selected), and it has a screen for managing users and links. Shlink is built with PHP and provides a REST API, and its README also mentions running it on RoadRunner. YOURLS is built with PHP and has a plugin system that allows adding custom slug generation and access control.
On the other hand, self-hosting comes with an operational burden. Ongoing maintenance is needed, such as server monitoring, applying security patches, backing up the database, and renewing SSL certificates. Achieving high availability also requires building load balancers and replication, which can be a heavy burden for small teams.
When running a URL shortener on your own, open source software is one of the options. However, when choosing, the activity of the community, the completeness of the documentation, the license terms, and the long-term maintenance structure are also points of comparison.