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GoloLink vs YOURLS

YOURLS Alternative for YouTube Creators: GoloLink vs YOURLS

YOURLS gives developers a self-hosted shortener. GoloLink gives creators a hosted dashboard with no server to maintain, plus per-video attribution YOURLS doesn't have out of the box.

Verified September 9, 2026

At a glance

YOURLS

Best for
You want zero recurring software cost and full data ownership on infrastructure you already control, and don't mind maintaining your own PHP/MySQL server.
Starting price
See site
Free plan
See site
Standout
Free and open-source
Limitation
No per-video attribution - clicks aren't tied to which YouTube upload sent them

GoloLink

Best for
YouTube creators who reuse links across uploads
Starting price
Free
Free plan
Yes - 10 videos / 25 links
Standout
Per-video click attribution
Limitation
No public API or team invites yet

YOURLS vs GoloLink: video attribution

YOURLS reports link-level clicks. GoloLink attributes each placement to the upload it lives in.

Why per-video attribution matters

Reusing the same affiliate or product link across several videos blends performance into one total. GoloLink tags each description placement so you can see which upload still converts.

GoloLink vs YOURLS

FeatureYOURLSGoloLink
Features
No server or hosting required–
Custom domains
Custom short URL aliases
API accessNo public API
QR codes (core, no plugin)–
Bulk link creation (core, no plugin)–Channel import only
Dead-link monitoring (core, no plugin)–
Per-video click attribution–
Built for YouTube description links–

Features

No server or hosting required

YOURLS–
GoloLink

Custom domains

YOURLS
GoloLink

Custom short URL aliases

YOURLS
GoloLink

API access

YOURLS
GoloLinkNo public API

QR codes (core, no plugin)

YOURLS–
GoloLink

Bulk link creation (core, no plugin)

YOURLS–
GoloLinkChannel import only

Dead-link monitoring (core, no plugin)

YOURLS–
GoloLink

Per-video click attribution

YOURLS–
GoloLink

Built for YouTube description links

YOURLS–
GoloLink

Pricing

Compare list prices and free tiers. Confirm live plans on each vendor site.

YOURLS

See YOURLS's pricing page for current plans - we do not invent numbers here.

    Pricing changes often - verify on the competitor's site.

    Pricing as of 2026-09-09.

    YOURLS's pricing →

    GoloLink

    Free plan with up to 10 videos and up to 25 unique links, full per-video attribution, and unlimited clicks. Paid plans scale video/link limits and unlock CSV export, custom domains, Bio Pages, and Growth-only features like dead-link monitoring.

    • Freeup to 10 videos; up to 25 unique links; Smart Picks included; no Bio page$0
    • CreatorHigher video/link caps; CSV export; 1 custom domain(s)See /pricing
    • GrowthUnlimited scale; Bio Pages; dead-link monitoring; app redirects; in-app-browser escapeSee /pricing

    Exact paid prices and live quotas are on /pricing and can change. Feature flags follow the plan table.

    Pricing as of 2026-10-17.

    See full GoloLink pricing →

    Who should stay vs switch

    Stay with YOURLS if

    • Free and open-source
    • Full control since you host it yourself
    • Large plugin ecosystem

    Switch to GoloLink if

    • No per-video attribution - clicks aren't tied to which YouTube upload sent them
    • Requires your own server and technical setup to install and maintain
    • You want a free plan with per-video attribution from day one

    How to switch from YOURLS

    No automated import — most creators scan their channel, recreate active links, and swap URLs gradually.

    1. List the YOURLS links you still use

      Export or copy the destinations (and click totals if you want a baseline) from YOURLS. Focus on links that still appear in video descriptions, bios, or Smart Pick-style pages.

    2. Scan your YouTube channel in GoloLink

      Paste your channel URL on the homepage - GoloLink finds product and affiliate links already in your descriptions so you are not starting from a blank sheet.

    3. Recreate active links and tag each to a video

      There is no automated one-click import today. Recreate the links you still need, tag each placement to the upload it lives in, and use custom aliases where branding matters.

    4. Swap URLs gradually and keep both running

      Update live and upcoming videos first. Keep YOURLS links alive on old uploads until you have swapped every reference - nothing breaks on signup day.

    Who this comparison is for

    YouTubers

    See which upload actually drives clicks, not just which one got the most views.

    Affiliate marketers

    Know which specific video sends affiliate clicks instead of one blended total.

    Review channels

    Compare click performance across every product review you've published.

    Tech creators

    Track gear and software links across dozens of videos without losing which one converts.

    Finance creators

    Attribute every tool or offer link back to the exact video that sent the click.

    Course creators

    See which lesson or promo video actually drives enrollments, not just watch time.

    Frequently asked questions

    Not out of the box - YOURLS reports clicks per link, and video-level attribution would require custom plugin development. GoloLink tags every link to the video it's in with no setup.

    Sources: YOURLS website; YOURLS (primary). Feature details verified 2026-09-09.

    Plans

    Core tracking on every plan, including Free.

    Pick a plan when you outgrow Free - domains, exports and more capacity unlock as you grow.

    In every plan, including Free

    • Per-video attribution
    • Smart Links
    • Smart Pick pages
    • Click analytics
    • Channel scan
    • Unlimited clicks

    Free

    $0/forever

    No credit card needed

    • Up to 25 unique links
    • Track up to 10 videos
    • Unlimited clicks
    • Up to 10 Smart Pick pages
    • 1 Bio page

    Creator

    $9/month

    or $90/year - 2 months free

    • Up to 250 unique links
    • Track up to 100 videos
    • Unlimited clicks
    • Up to 100 Smart Pick pages
    • 1 Bio page

    See full pricing Cancel anytime, no contracts

    See which video is actually converting

    • Free plan, not a trial
    • No credit card
    • Set up in under 2 minutes

    Free plan
    No credit card

    Scan my channel free