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Self-host Kutt

updated Sep 2026prices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
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A URL shortener with custom domains, custom slugs, password-protected and expiring links, per-link statistics and an API. The default Docker setup uses SQLite, with Postgres, MariaDB and Redis as options.

Key facts

CategoryURL shortener
LicenseMIT
StackNode.js, SQLite
Min RAM256 MB
Official imageyes
Measured idle RAM156 MB
Difficulty

What you need

  • Any VPS with at least 256 MB of RAM
  • A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
  • Under an hour if you've used Docker before
Where to host itaffiliate disclosure
Hetzner Cloudrun it on
From $23.59/mo · 2 vCPU / 4 GB / 80 GB · EU + US
Get Hetzner Cloud (opens in new tab)
Kamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + Asia
Start free on Kamatera → (opens in new tab)
DigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + Asia
Deploy on DigitalOcean → (opens in new tab)

Paid link — we earn a commission if you shop through it.

Install

Run these commands on your server:

# Kutt — official image with SQLite; set DEFAULT_DOMAIN to your short domain
docker run -d --name kutt --restart unless-stopped -p 3000:3000 \
  -v kutt-data:/var/lib/kutt -v kutt-custom:/kutt/custom \
  -e DB_FILENAME=/var/lib/kutt/data.sqlite -e DEFAULT_DOMAIN=SERVER_IP:3000 \
  -e JWT_SECRET=$(openssl rand -hex 32) \
  kutt/kutt:v3.2.6
# open http://SERVER_IP:3000 and create the admin account

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