Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Polr VS Anchr.io

Compare Polr VS Anchr.io and see what are their differences

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Polr logo Polr

An open source URL shortener. A great non-profit and free alternative to bit.ly, TinyURL, or goo.gl.

Anchr.io logo Anchr.io

Anchr provides you with kind of a toolbox for tiny tasks on the internet.
  • Polr Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Anchr.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-21

Polr features and specs

  • Open Source
    Polr is an open-source project, meaning the source code is publicly accessible and can be modified to fit individual needs.
  • Customizability
    Being open-source, Polr offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the service according to specific requirements.
  • Self-Hosted
    Polr can be self-hosted, which provides users with complete control over their data and how the service is run.
  • Advanced Features
    Includes features like URL analytics, API access, and integration capabilities that can support advanced use cases.
  • Cost-Effective
    As a free open-source solution, Polr can be more cost-effective compared to proprietary URL shortening services.
  • Privacy
    Self-hosting ensures that user data remains private and secure, with no reliance on third-party services.

Possible disadvantages of Polr

  • Technical Expertise Required
    Setting up and maintaining Polr requires a certain level of technical skill, including knowledge of web servers, databases, and PHP.
  • Maintenance
    Since Polr is self-hosted, users are responsible for maintaining the server, applying updates, and ensuring security.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial setup can be time-consuming and may involve complex configurations, especially for users without technical backgrounds.
  • Limited Support
    Being an open-source project, Polr may have limited official support, relying on community forums and documentation for troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    Self-hosting requires server resources, including hardware and hosting costs, which might be an issue for small-scale users.

Anchr.io features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Anchr.io provides a simple, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to shorten URLs without any technical expertise.
  • Customizable Links
    Users can create custom short links which help in brand optimization and easy recall for marketing purposes.
  • Analytics
    Anchr.io offers click statistics and detailed analytics, enabling users to track the performance of their links.
  • Free to Use
    Offers a free plan that allows users to take advantage of basic URL shortening features.
  • No Account Required
    Users can shorten links and use basic features without needing to create an account, providing immediate access to the service.

Possible disadvantages of Anchr.io

  • Limited Features for Free Users
    While the free plan is useful, it lacks some advanced features that are only available in the paid plans.
  • Data Privacy
    Since URL shortening involves tracking clicks and other data, there could be concerns over how this data is used and stored.
  • Dependence on Service Availability
    Reliance on Anchr.io for URL management means any downtime or service interruptions could render URLs unusable.
  • Limited Branding Options
    Compared to some other URL shortening services, Anchr.io offers relatively fewer options for branding and customization in their free or basic tiers.
  • Scalability
    For larger enterprises or businesses with extensive URL management needs, Anchr.io might not offer the scalability required without subscribing to higher-tier plans.

Analysis of Polr

Overall verdict

  • Polr is a good choice for individuals and organizations looking for a flexible and open-source URL shortener solution. Its ability to be self-hosted ensures data privacy and autonomy over the management of shortened URLs.

Why this product is good

  • Polr is an open-source URL shortener that offers a minimalist interface, robust features, and self-hosting capabilities, making it ideal for users who prioritize privacy and customization. It supports analytics for performance tracking and allows users to manage custom domains, offering flexibility and control over short links.

Recommended for

    Polr is recommended for developers, tech-savvy users, small businesses, and privacy-conscious individuals who need a customizable URL shortening service with the ability to host their own instance and have control over their data and URLs.

Analysis of Anchr.io

Overall verdict

  • Good

Why this product is good

  • Anchr.io is a link shortening and content management tool that simplifies sharing and organizing links. It offers features such as link analytics, custom link aliases, and easy integration with other tools, which can enhance the efficiency of digital workflows.

Recommended for

  • Digital marketers looking to track link performance
  • Social media managers who require organized link sharing
  • Content creators needing simple link management solutions
  • Businesses wanting to enhance brand presence with custom URLs

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Polr and Anchr.io)
Link Management
86 86%
14% 14
URL Shortener
86 86%
14% 14
Branded URLs
82 82%
18% 18
Online Services
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Polr and Anchr.io

Polr Reviews

10 Excellent Google URL Shortener Alternatives
Since Polr is open-source, it is entirely free to use and self-host. However, you will need some technical knowledge to set up and maintain your own URL shortener using Polr. Alternatively, you can opt for their hosting service, which requires custom pricing.
Source: bitly.com
11 Best Bitly Alternatives & Similar URL Shorteners
More than anything, Polr is free and an excellent choice for those who master technical knowledge. Before committing to this platform, you can check out its robust demo page. Once you create an account, you can manage and monitor each link you have made effortlessly.
The 8 Best Alternatives to Google URL Shortener
Polr is an open-source project that allows people with the technical know-how to host their own URL shortener. It's available through the Polr project page and from GitHub. You can use the tool as-is or fork it if you have the programming abilities to do so. (If you're so inclined, it's written in PHP and Lumen, using MySQL as its primary database.) Though similar to Yourls,...
Source: zapier.com
The 5 Best Alternatives to Google URL Shortener
Polr is an open-source project that allows people with the technical know-how to host their own URL shortener. It's available through the Polr project page and from GitHub. You can use the tool as-is or fork it if you have the programming abilities to do so. (If you're so inclined, it's written in PHP and Lumen, using MySQL as its primary database.) Though similar to Yourls,...
Source: zapier.com

Anchr.io Reviews

We have no reviews of Anchr.io yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Polr seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Polr mentions (2)

  • Copying microsofts aka.ms links with our internal Dns to help stop phishing
    That said, setting up a URL shortener to forward HTTP requests it pretty trivial. There are open source projects that already exist for this purpose. For example, https://polrproject.org/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Angular Project Ideas For Beginners 2022
    This is one of the trending angular project for beginners. In this application, the main feature will be the input for the link you’d like to shorten and the result’s output space. You can check the Polr for example. It is an open-source web application written in PHP and powered by Lumen. It uses MySQL as the primary database and provides a robust interface to manage your links. You can host it on your domain to... - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago

Anchr.io mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Anchr.io yet. Tracking of Anchr.io recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Polr and Anchr.io, you can also consider the following products

Bitly - Get the most out of your social and online marketing efforts. Own, understand and activate your best audience through the power of the link with Bitly Enterprise.

YOURLS - YOURLS is a website that contains all the tools you need to create and launch your very own URL shortener. URL shorteners like bitly or TinyURL are fine for public use, but they offer limited options in terms of URL customization.

TinyURL - Are you sick of posting URLs in emails only to have it break when sent causing the recipient to...

Shlink - A self-hosted URL shortener

Lstu - A nice and open source url shortener. You can use it as service or install it on your own server.

adf.ly - Earn money for each visitor to your shortened links with adf.ly!