Commerce
Self-host Kutt on a VPS
A modern, self-hosted link shortener.
Short links, custom domains and stats in a clean interface, with a REST API.
Why self-host Kutt?
Kutt is a friendly shortener you can brand and host, with no per-link limits.
How to install Kutt
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Node.js + PostgreSQL/Redis.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give Kutt its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Kutt and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep Kutt patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Kutt need?
- Plan on 512 MB–1 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Kutt run on?
- Node.js + PostgreSQL/Redis.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Kutt plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Shlink, YOURLS, Bitly (hosted) — browse all app guides.