NekoShlink

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

What NekoShlink is

NekoShlink is a free, open-source URL shortener written in Kotlin with Spring Boot. It exposes a core API through CLI and REST interfaces and can run in a Docker container wherever a container engine is available. Instances can use custom domains and host multiple domains, while links may use generated or custom slugs. Features include tagging for classification and search, QR-code creation, visit statistics, password-protected expansion, and email tracking through a one-pixel transparent image. Listed authentication choices include native HTTP Basic, X.509 certificates, and OIDC with OAuth2 authorization. The Docker image uses embedded H2 by default, although the guide does not recommend that setup for production and shows a MariaDB example. The project describes its main code as functional but unsecured; authentication and authorization are supplied by separate projects. Source code is available in GitHub repositories.

Who it suits

It suits developers and service providers wanting a self-hosted short-link API with domains, tracking, and access controls. Docker deployment and the documented authentication projects require technical setup.

What it does well

Free and open source
Provides CLI and REST API front ends
Supports custom and multiple domains
Includes QR codes and visit statistics
Offers several authentication methods

What to know first

Default H2 database is not recommended for production
Main code base is described as unsecured
Authentication and authorization use separate projects
Requires a Docker-capable environment for container deployment

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Free and open source	Free

As shlink.nekosoft.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

NekoShlink provides a broad self-hosted URL-shortening feature set, including APIs, domains, tracking, and authentication options. Production users should review its database guidance and separate security projects carefully.

Facts from NekoShlink's own pages

Access control: The site lists access control and several authentication methods among its features. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
API access: Yes · shlink.nekosoft.org, 20 Sept 2026
Authentication options: The Docker guide lists NATIVE authentication with HTTP Basic, X509 certificate authentication, and OIDC authentication with OAuth2-based authorization. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Custom domains: Yes · shlink.nekosoft.org, 20 Sept 2026
Database: The Docker image uses an embedded H2 database by default, which the guide says is not recommended for production; it also gives a MariaDB example. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Deployment: The project provides a Docker image that can run wherever a Docker container engine is available. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Email tracking: It supports email tracking using a 1-pixel transparent image. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · shlink.nekosoft.org, 20 Sept 2026
Intended audience: The maker describes using it for personal short URLs shared at training events. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Interfaces: It provides a core API with CLI and REST front ends. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Link features: It supports automatically generated and custom slugs, password-protected link expansion, and multiple domains in one instance. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Organization: Users can tag links for classification and searching, generate QR codes, and view visit statistics. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: NekoShlink is an open-source URL shortener written in Kotlin with Spring Boot. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Security detail: The site says the main code base is functional but unsecured, with authentication and authorization support provided by separate projects. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026
Source code: The project says its source code is available in its GitHub repositories and invites users to fork and contribute. · shlink.nekosoft.org, 12 Oct 2026

Where NekoShlink stands on Freedom251

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