Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

YOURLS VS LeechBlock

Compare YOURLS VS LeechBlock and see what are their differences

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YOURLS logo 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.

LeechBlock logo LeechBlock

LeechBlock is an extension for Firefox and Chrome that allows users to block time-wasting sites.
  • YOURLS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-18
  • LeechBlock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-28

YOURLS features and specs

  • Self-Hosted
    YOURLS allows you to host the URL shortening service on your own server, giving you full control over your data and avoiding reliance on third-party services.
  • Customization
    Since YOURLS is an open-source platform, you can customize it according to your needs, adding personalized branding and functionalities.
  • Analytics
    It offers detailed analytics for each shortened URL, including click counts, referrers, and geographical data, helping you understand your audience better.
  • Plugin Support
    YOURLS supports plugins, allowing you to extend its functionality with additional features like spam filtering, link previews, and more.
  • Free and Open-Source
    The platform is free to use and open-source, meaning there are no licensing costs and you benefit from a community of developers constantly improving the software.

Possible disadvantages of YOURLS

  • Technical Expertise Required
    Setting up and maintaining a YOURLS instance requires technical expertise, including knowledge of web servers and databases, which may not be suitable for non-technical users.
  • Hosting Costs
    Since YOURLS is self-hosted, you will incur costs for web hosting, domain registration, and potentially higher server resources if your service becomes popular.
  • Maintenance
    You are responsible for all maintenance tasks, such as updating software and ensuring security, which can be time-consuming.
  • Scalability Issues
    Depending on your hosting solution, you may face challenges in scaling the service to handle high volumes of traffic efficiently.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    While YOURLS is highly customizable through plugins, the out-of-the-box features are relatively basic when compared to some commercial URL shortening services.

LeechBlock features and specs

  • Customizability
    LeechBlock allows users to customize the blocking rules according to their schedule and needs, including setting time limits, days, and hours for blocking specific websites.
  • Simple to Use
    The interface of LeechBlock is user-friendly, allowing even those who are not tech-savvy to easily set up and manage their block lists.
  • Multiple Blocking Options
    LeechBlock provides various blocking options including the ability to block websites based on keywords, domains, subdomains, and even wildcards, giving users extensive control over their browsing habits.
  • Productivity Focus
    The primary aim of LeechBlock is to enhance productivity by preventing access to distracting websites, which can help users stay focused on their work or study.
  • Free to Use
    LeechBlock is available for free, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their online habits without financial barriers.

Possible disadvantages of LeechBlock

  • Limited Browser Support
    LeechBlock is primarily available as a browser extension and its functionality can be limited depending on the browser used. It may not support all browsers or may have inconsistent performance across different browsers.
  • Dependency on Browser
    As a browser extension, LeechBlock only works within the browser in which it is installed. It does not block apps or other browsers, reducing its effectiveness if users switch browsers or use different devices.
  • Potential for Workarounds
    Users determined to bypass the restrictions may find ways to disable or circumvent LeechBlock, which can undermine its effectiveness in controlling browsing habits.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Compared to some paid or more comprehensive web-blocking software, LeechBlock may lack advanced features such as detailed usage reports, cross-device synchronization, or parental controls.
  • Learning Curve for Detailed Configuration
    While basic use is straightforward, configuring more complex rules and settings might require a bit of a learning curve, especially for users who want to take full advantage of its customizability.

Analysis of YOURLS

Overall verdict

  • YOURLS is a great choice for individuals or organizations looking for a customizable and secure URL shortening solution. It is particularly suitable for those who want to avoid relying on third-party services.

Why this product is good

  • YOURLS (Your URL Shortener) is a self-hosted URL shortening service that provides full control over your short URLs. It allows users to customize and manage their links, track their analytics, and ensure privacy and security since it's hosted on your own server. Its open-source nature ensures transparency and the ability to modify the functionality as needed.

Recommended for

  • Businesses that need branded and secure short URLs.
  • Developers looking for an open-source URL shortener they can customize.
  • Organizations prioritizing data privacy and control.
  • Bloggers or marketers who want to track detailed analytics of their links.

Analysis of LeechBlock

Overall verdict

  • LeechBlock is generally considered a good tool for those looking to improve their productivity by managing and limiting their access to distracting websites. Its customizable features and straightforward interface make it effective for personal use.

Why this product is good

  • LeechBlock is a browser extension designed to help users block time-wasting sites. It is popular for its ease of use, flexibility in setting blocking schedules, and the ability to specify different blocking rules for different sites or groups of sites.

Recommended for

    LeechBlock is recommended for students, professionals, or anyone who finds themselves frequently distracted by social media, news websites, or other online content. It is particularly useful for those who need a simple solution to improve their focus and time management.

YOURLS videos

How to make a URL Shorter with YOURLS

LeechBlock videos

No LeechBlock videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to YOURLS and LeechBlock)
URL Shortener
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Link Management
100 100%
0% 0
Invoicing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare YOURLS and LeechBlock

YOURLS Reviews

11 Best URL Shorteners For 2025 (Comparison)
YOURLS is a free and lightweight URL shortener you can install on your site via PHP scripts and/or plugins. You can use it to create simple, custom-branded short links. You can even set things up in such a way that allows outside parties to use your link shortener.
11 Best Bitly Alternatives & Similar URL Shorteners
Yourls is a lightweight software to install regardless of the many features you have to enhance your campaign. It will be worth your efforts to try this platform in the first place.
Top 8 Alternatives of Bit.Ly in 2023
YOURLS URL shortenerEmail Verification Tools, Features and Comparison of top five ServicesEmail Verification Tools can be game-changing for your business operation. But not knowing how to purchase them will be a blunder. Learn how to select one for your business.StartupTalkyAnsh MehreyConclusionFAQsIs there a free alternative to Bit.ly?Does Google have a URL shortener?How do...
The 8 Best Alternatives to Google URL Shortener
Yourls, which is an acronym for "your own URL shortener," is exactly thatโ€”a service your run on your own server. Similar to Polr, Yourls is free and open-source. With Yourls, you can choose whether your links will be public or private. It includes bookmarklets, which let you turn a long URL into a short one from your web browser in just one click. By default, the tool...
Source: zapier.com

LeechBlock Reviews

We have no reviews of LeechBlock yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, YOURLS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 21 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.

YOURLS mentions (21)

  • Raindrop.io: cross-platform, collaborative bookmark manager
    This is what I use and like: https://yourls.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Building a url shortner, similar to bitly, can I make it profitable?
    Similar to...? https://yoslash.com/ Personally I just use https://yourls.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • self-hosted url shorter with device targeting
    YOURLS has a "detect-mobile-device" plugin. Is that what you were looking for? Source: over 3 years ago
  • Tool/solution to "masquerade" or encode/decode part of the url to avoid showing subpaths details (f.e: myDomain.tld/myFolder/MyFile should became myDomain.tld/casualStringGeneratedAndMappedByTheTool) ?
    You will need to implement the YOURLS URL Shortener (https://yourls.org) and then implement the following YOURLS Plug-in - https://github.com/peterberbec/yourls-keyword_charset_length (Keywords, Charset & Length). Source: over 3 years ago
  • How create Short Links from my main domain name?
    Personally I would use something like this, although it does require a database. https://yourls.org/. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

LeechBlock mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing YOURLS and LeechBlock, 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.

Cold Turkey - Cold Turkey is a free productivity program that you can use to temporarily block distractions so that you can get your work done!

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

Time Sink - Time Sink helps you track how you spend your time on your Mac.

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

Anti-Social - Anti-Social is a productivity application for Macs that turns off the social parts of the internet.