Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shlink VS FlowCode

Compare Shlink VS FlowCode and see what are their differences

Shlink logo Shlink

A self-hosted URL shortener

FlowCode logo FlowCode

Flowcode is a graphical programming language and IDE for devices such as Arduino or PIC microcontrollers as well as Raspberry Pi.
  • Shlink Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-08
  • FlowCode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21

Shlink features and specs

  • Self-Hosted
    Shlink is a self-hosted URL shortener, providing full control over your data. You can deploy it on your own server and manage the privacy and security of your shortened links.
  • Custom Domains
    Shlink supports the use of custom domains for shortened URLs, allowing you to maintain consistent branding and a professional appearance.
  • Detailed Analytics
    Shlink offers comprehensive analytics, including geographic breakdowns, referrers, and device types, allowing you to gain valuable insights into your link traffic.
  • REST API
    Shlink comes with a powerful REST API, enabling developers to integrate URL shortening functionality into their own applications with ease.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Shlink invites community contributions and code audits, ensuring the software continues to improve and remain secure.
  • QR Code Generation
    Shlink can automatically generate QR codes for each shortened URL, providing an easy way to share links in physical media.
  • Webhooks
    Shlink supports webhooks, allowing for real-time notifications and triggering of actions when certain events, such as link clicks, occur.

Possible disadvantages of Shlink

  • Setup Complexity
    Setting up Shlink requires some technical knowledge, including server management and configuration, which might be a barrier for users without technical expertise.
  • Maintenance
    As a self-hosted solution, Shlink requires regular maintenance and updates to ensure security and performance, which can be time-consuming.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Shlink on your own server can consume significant resources, especially with high traffic volumes, necessitating a robust hosting environment.
  • Lack of Premium Support
    Being an open-source project, Shlink does not offer official, dedicated premium support, which might be a drawback for businesses needing immediate assistance.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive feature set and customization options of Shlink come with a learning curve, requiring time and effort to master all functionalities.

FlowCode features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    FlowCode provides a graphical programming interface which simplifies the process of developing complex systems without the need for intricate coding knowledge.
  • Rapid Development
    The drag-and-drop interface allows for quicker assembly and modification of programs, significantly speeding up the development process.
  • Versatility
    FlowCode supports a wide range of microcontroller platforms, enabling users to deploy their applications across different hardware.
  • Community and Support
    Users have access to a wealth of resources, including forums, tutorials, and technical support to assist in troubleshooting and learning.
  • Simulation Capabilities
    Before deploying to hardware, users can simulate their projects to identify and rectify potential issues in the software environment.

Possible disadvantages of FlowCode

  • Cost
    FlowCode is a paid tool, which might be a limitation for hobbyists or small-scale developers with limited budgets.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While suitable for basic to intermediate projects, FlowCode may not offer the low-level control or advanced functionalities needed for more complex or resource-intensive applications.
  • Learning Curve
    Although easier than traditional coding, some users may still face challenges in mastering the graphical interface and utilizing all features effectively.
  • Dependency on Software
    As a proprietary tool, users are dependent on the softwareโ€™s ongoing development and support from the company behind FlowCode.

Analysis of Shlink

Overall verdict

  • Shlink is a robust and flexible URL shortening solution, particularly favored by those who prefer self-hosting for privacy reasons. Its comprehensive set of features and ease of integration make it a good choice for users with technical knowledge who want to maintain their data sovereignty.

Why this product is good

  • Shlink is a self-hosted URL shortener that provides privacy-focused features. It allows you to create and manage short links with advanced features like custom slugs, URL tags, and detailed analytics. Its self-hosted nature ensures that you have full control over your data, which is a significant advantage for those concerned with privacy and data ownership. Additionally, Shlink supports features such as QR code generation, REST API integrations, and Geolocation and Device Targeting for enhanced link customization.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy individuals or organizations seeking to self-host their URL shortener
  • Privacy-conscious users who want to retain control over their data
  • Developers looking for a URL shortener with robust API support
  • Businesses that require advanced analytics and customization features for their URLs

Shlink videos

2020 Wine Reviews: Shlink Haus Wines

FlowCode videos

What's New In Flowcode 7?

More videos:

  • Review - Flowcode 8 Beginners Guide - My First Program
  • Review - An introduction to Flowcode

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shlink and FlowCode)
Link Management
81 81%
19% 19
QR Code Generator
0 0%
100% 100
URL Shortener
100 100%
0% 0
QR Codes
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shlink seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 14 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.

Shlink mentions (14)

  • How I Built a Scalable, Free URL Shortener.
    Building a URL shortener from scratch? Nah, youโ€™re crazy! Instead, we grabbed a trusty open-source solution thatโ€™s already been battle-tested. By using this ready-made tool, we skipped the drama of starting from zero and cut our development time way down. This gave us more time to focus on making our app and management system even betterโ€”plus, it saved us from pulling out our hair! - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: An open-source alternative to Bitly
    Last big project at my old job was for an appointment notification service. In addition to making messages longer and thus costing us more, counterintuitively the unshortened URLs got flagged as spam by automated systems and end users more than shortened. However, you canโ€™t use bitly or other free/public shorteners; use one hosted on your own domain. I used shlink https://shlink.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Copying microsofts aka.ms links with our internal Dns to help stop phishing
    IF you just want to setup an internal link shortener, there is software out there for it. We do it at my company. The best one I've found is Shlink: https://shlink.io/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Shlink CLI issue
    I have just set up shlink.io via /r/portainer and docker-compose. Now I have tried opening the CLI to generate an API key which I need for the shlink web interface but unfortunately it closes in a fraction of a second after bin/cli, showing all available arguments. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Permanent URL to file possible?
    Are you looking for stable HTTP/S URLs that you can publish for others to access? One solution to that might be to purchase your own domain and host a little redirector service that bounces the consumer to the real, currently active, cloud URL. Something like https://shlink.io/ might work (but Iโ€™ve not used it, and thatโ€™s just a suggestion not a recommendation!). Source: over 3 years ago
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FlowCode mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Shlink and FlowCode, 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.

QRTiger - The most advanced QR Code Generator with logo online

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

Uniqode - Uniqode: Revolutionizing QR Codes, Simplifying Solutions.

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...