Free URL Shortener — A Clean, Open Source Alternative to Bloated Shorteners
Introduction: Why I Built Free URL Shortener (And Why You Might Want It Too)
Let me ask you a simple question: why does shortening a link in 2025 still feel like signing up for a mortgage?
We’ve all been there — trying to shorten a link for a project, portfolio, or tweet, and suddenly you’re drowning in upsells, email confirmations, and limitations. It’s frustrating, especially when all you need is a clean link. No fluff. No friction.
So I decided to build one.
Free URL Shortener is my answer to that problem — a lightweight, open-source tool that lets anyone shorten links instantly, without signups, emails, or hidden terms.
It’s a free URL shortener that actually respects your time and data.
What Makes This Free URL Shortener Stand Out
I didn’t build this because I thought the world needed another URL shortener.
I built it because most of the existing ones just don’t feel right.
Clean, Minimal UI (Built with Simplicity in Mind)
No frameworks, no bloat, no cookie banners. Just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
The frontend is intentionally minimal, so it feels like a tool — not a trap.
Custom Short Codes
Want your link to be:
my.site/r/freelancer-tools
instead of a random string? You got it. You can define your own aliases.
Optional 5-Second Timer
If you’re a creator, blogger, or just someone who wants to drop a note before redirecting — this feature is for you.
Display a message (or even a donation link) before users are sent to the final destination.
Serverless by Default
Runs on Cloudflare Pages Functions — meaning it’s fast, global, and incredibly easy to deploy.
Perfect for a free URL shortener that’s designed to scale.
PHP Fallback
Not using Cloudflare? No problem.
The project comes with a PHP fallback that works on traditional shared hosting.
No Limits, No Tracking, No Upsells
- No usage limits
- No analytics unless you add them
- No account, no friction
That’s what makes Free URL Shortener a truly minimal and private free URL shortener.
How It Works (Spoiler: It’s Easy)
- Paste your long URL
- (Optional) Add a custom alias like
/portfolio - Choose between instant redirect or 5-second timer
- Get your clean short link
If you enable the 5-second delay, the user sees a lightweight page with a countdown and a “skip” button — perfect if you want to add a note like:
- “Support me”
- “Check out my latest dev article”
- “Follow me on social”
This kind of flexibility is rare for a free URL shortener that you can also host yourself.
Deploy It on Your Own Infrastructure
Yes, it’s cool to use the demo, but the real power comes when you self-host it.
How to Deploy in Under 5 Minutes
git clone https://github.com/luc-constantin/url-shortener.git
cd url-shortener
For Cloudflare Pages:
- Go to Cloudflare Pages
- Connect your GitHub repo
- Set build output to /public
- Add a KV namespace named SHORTLINKS
For Shared Hosting (PHP):
- Just upload the project files to your server — the fallback api.php is already included.
- Once set up, you’ll have your own self-hosted free URL shortener running in the wild.
Why Use Your Own URL Shortener?
If you’re publishing content, managing campaigns, or simply want full control over your links — a self-hosted shortener is a no-brainer.
Branded Links Build Trust
People are more likely to click:
you.dev/portfolio
Than:
bit.ly/3TxZ9X
Boost Click-Through Rates
Custom links tend to perform better, especially when shared on social or in email campaigns.
Own Your Data
No third-party tracking. No link expirations unless you set them.
That’s the power of a private free URL shortener.
Analytics-Ready
Integrate your own tracking scripts, use Cloudflare Workers KV, or plug it into your existing workflow.
It’s yours to control.
Want to Contribute?
This is a community-first project. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or someone with good UI instincts — your input is welcome.
- Found a bug? Open an issue
- Got an idea for a feature? Let’s talk.
- Want to improve the design? Jump in.
- Docs need love? PRs are open.
Working on a free URL shortener that can scale while remaining simple is only possible with community input.
Support the Project
I’ve kept this free because I believe useful tools should be accessible.
But if you’d like to support my work and help me keep projects like this alive:
Support on Stripe
Even a small donation means a lot — especially when building tools like this free URL shortener, which isn’t monetized or filled with ads.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for:
- A no-frills, free URL shortener
- A tool you can host, brand, and control
- A solution that respects your time and privacy
- Then Free URL Shortener is for you.
It’s not trying to be the next unicorn startup.
It’s a small, functional tool built for devs, makers, and creators who just want stuff to work — no friction, no fluff.
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