adf.ly vs Shlink

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

adf.ly

Shlink

adf.ly vs Shlink: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

adf.ly: adf.ly is a URL shortener and advertising platform that allows users to earn money from the ads on their shortened links. It provides analytics on links and lets users set custom domains for their links.

Shlink: Shlink is an open source URL shortener that can be self-hosted. It provides an easy way to shorten links and track clicks. Shlink features geolocalization of clicks, QR code generation for shortened URLs, and a REST API.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature	adf.ly	Shlink
Sugggest Score	—	—
Category	Online Services	Online Services
Pricing	—	Open Source

Product Overview

adf.ly

Description: adf.ly is a URL shortener and advertising platform that allows users to earn money from the ads on their shortened links. It provides analytics on links and lets users set custom domains for their links.

Type: software

Shlink

Description: Shlink is an open source URL shortener that can be self-hosted. It provides an easy way to shorten links and track clicks. Shlink features geolocalization of clicks, QR code generation for shortened URLs, and a REST API.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

adf.ly Features

URL shortening
Advertising platform
Earn money from ads on shortened links
Analytics on link performance
Custom domain support

Shlink Features

URL shortening
Link customization and vanity URLs
Click analytics and tracking
Geolocation
QR code generation
REST API
Import/export
Blacklists
Multi-domain support

Pros & Cons Analysis

adf.ly

Pros

Earn passive income from link traffic
Detailed analytics on link performance
Ability to customize link domains
Easy to use interface

Cons

Ads can be intrusive for users
Revenue share with adf.ly may be low
Potential for account suspension or termination
Limited control over ad content

Shlink

Pros

Self-hosted and open source
Free and easy to set up
Customizable and extensible
Robust analytics and tracking
REST API for integration
Active development and support

Cons

Requires technical expertise to set up and manage
Limited native mobile app support
Basic admin UI
No browser extensions
Lacks some enterprise features

Pricing Comparison

adf.ly

Not listed

Shlink

Open Source

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