Feedback requested on self-hosted URL shortener research reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-08 22:23 I want to install a URL shortener on a cloud VM for personal usage so that it will be very low volume. I have a few simple requirements: 1. Runs in Docker 2. As light resource usage as possible 3. It must have authentication to prevent randos from using it 4. It must be able to generate QR codes 5. Modern and attractive experience ← subjective, I know I have compiled the following options and pros and cons. Do you agree with this list and the pros and cons? Which do you think I should go with and why? **Kutt:** Last release on Github: 2/22, 7,700 stars Pros: Recommended here, fully featured, including authentication and QR codes Cons: Heavy (3 containers), not recently updated **Yourls:** Latest release on Github: 3/23, 9,700 stars Pros: Recommended here, recent update, no native QR codes (but available via plugins), Lighter (2 containers) Cons: PHP-based, less modern than Kutt, having to deal with plugins **Shlink:** Latest release on Github: 9/23, 2,300 stars Pros: Modern and attractive GUI, lighter (2 containers), bult-in QR codes, frequent updates Cons: No authentication, Confusing and difficult install, separate front end and back end **Lynx:** Latest release on Github: 8/23, 96 stars Pros: Lighter (2 containers), native QR codes, authentication, frequent updates Cons: Unclear experience – looks less modern on Github screenshot ---------------------------------------------------------------------- jac2598 · 2023-11-09 07:06 RE: Kutt - see here: https://github.com/thedevs- network/kutt/issues/719#issuecomment-1788410446 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-09 18:54 I saw that the poster mentioned several PRs that the author should review. It seems that either the author has not or he thinks that they are less meaningful. Either way, it is surprising that there has been no new release for 18 months. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SpecificProfession49 · 2023-11-10 00:45 Microbin ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-10 12:08 I am a fan of Microbin and didn't realize that it offered this. However, I am struggling with enabling authentication while keeping the ability to provide public pastas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SpecificProfession49 · 2023-11-10 12:10 Ah, I use mine local only. It does seem to have auth, but I haven’t implemented it so I can’t speak on any issues with that. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-10 12:14 Yes, it seems to be an absolute thing. Once you turn on auth, it applies to anyone who wants to access anything in Microbin. Hence it breaks the privacy settings. Obviously, turning it off fixes this but then anyone can access the system which is a very bad idea on the public Internet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SpecificProfession49 · 2023-11-10 12:16 That’s too bad and good to know. I love the app and wish a few more developers would jump in. It’s sooo close to perfect. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-10 12:17 Yes, it is amazing what it can do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cdemi · 2023-11-10 17:59 Shlink has API Key authentication. Why does a front end and backend make it a con? Have been using Shlink for quite a while and it's a nice project ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JL_678 · 2023-11-11 15:15 The API authentication is a really good point that I had somehow missed. Regarding front end/back end, I had two thoughts about this: * Complexity - It is another container to install and manage which is annoying * Using their front end brakes the self-hosted idea, and I wonder about the security implications All of the above said, I just installed Shlink and am testing it out. Question do you run it with SQLite or are you using a full database?