From cefb84f6430ed7c9827b5518b71fa3d59fb96d23 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Sunil Thakares Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:02:31 +0530 Subject: [PATCH] Add project comparison guide and improve landing page --- docs/COMPARISON.md | 296 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ www/index.html | 88 ++++++-------- 2 files changed, 336 insertions(+), 48 deletions(-) create mode 100644 docs/COMPARISON.md diff --git a/docs/COMPARISON.md b/docs/COMPARISON.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f42eaa5 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/COMPARISON.md @@ -0,0 +1,296 @@ +# BZOD vs Other Self-Hosted URL Shorteners + +**BZOD (nx9-url-shortener)** is a modern, privacy-focused, self-hosted URL management platform built in Rust as part of the **NX9 Platform**. + +Unlike many traditional URL shorteners that focus only on redirects, BZOD combines: + +* URL shortening +* Landing pages +* QR code generation +* Analytics +* Password protection +* Backup & restore +* REST API +* CLI automation +* Audit logging + +into a single lightweight deployment. + +The project philosophy is: + +> One binary. One command. Full ownership. + +--- + +# Design Philosophy + +| Principle | BZOD | +| -------------------------- | ----------------- | +| Self-hosted | ✅ | +| Privacy-first | ✅ | +| Open Source | MIT OR Apache-2.0 | +| Vendor Lock-in | None | +| Telemetry | None | +| External Services Required | None | +| Database Server Required | No | +| Runtime Dependencies | No | +| Single Binary | Yes | +| Linux-first | Yes | + +--- + +# BZOD vs Go URL Shorteners + +Popular Go projects include: + +* Krtk +* Slash +* Goshorly +* Shortr +* Custom Gin/Echo implementations + +## Comparison + +| Aspect | BZOD (Rust) | Typical Go Projects | +| ------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------- | +| Binary | Single ~18 MB binary | Usually 10–20 MB | +| Runtime | None | None | +| Database | Embedded SQLite | SQLite / PostgreSQL | +| Landing Pages | ✅ Built-in | Rare | +| QR Generation | ✅ PNG + SVG | Sometimes | +| QR Analytics | ✅ | Rare | +| Password Protection | ✅ | Varies | +| Link Expiry | ✅ | Often | +| One-Time Links | ✅ | Rare | +| UTM Builder | ✅ | Rare | +| REST API | ✅ | Usually | +| CLI | ✅ Extensive | Usually limited | +| Backup & Restore | ✅ Built-in | Rare | +| Audit Logs | ✅ | Rare | +| Admin Dashboard | ✅ | Varies | + +## Summary + +Go shorteners are often: + +* Extremely simple +* Fast +* Easy to extend + +BZOD focuses on: + +* Rich features +* Complete ownership +* Minimal operations +* Batteries included + +--- + +# BZOD vs Python URL Shorteners + +Popular Python projects include: + +* Pygmy +* ReducePy +* Schort +* Flask/FastAPI examples + +## Comparison + +| Aspect | BZOD (Rust) | Python Solutions | +| ---------------- | --------------------- | ----------------- | +| Runtime | None | Python required | +| Deploy Size | ~18 MB | Often 100+ MB | +| Memory Usage | Very Low | Moderate | +| Landing Pages | ✅ | Rare | +| QR Analytics | ✅ | Rare | +| Backup & Restore | ✅ | Rare | +| CLI Tools | ✅ | Limited | +| Dashboard | ✅ | Varies | +| Security | Argon2id + Audit Logs | Project dependent | +| Performance | Excellent | Good | + +## Summary + +Python solutions are ideal when: + +* Already using Python +* Rapid prototyping +* Easy customization + +BZOD is ideal when: + +* Long-term deployment matters +* Resource efficiency matters +* Minimal maintenance is desired + +--- + +# BZOD vs Shlink + +Shlink is one of the most mature self-hosted URL shorteners. + +## Comparison + +| Aspect | BZOD | Shlink | +| ------------------------ | ------------- | ---------------- | +| Language | Rust | PHP | +| Deployment | Single binary | PHP stack | +| External DB | No | Usually yes | +| Landing Pages | ✅ | ❌ | +| Password Protected Links | ✅ | Limited | +| QR Analytics | ✅ | Partial | +| UTM Builder | ✅ | ❌ | +| Backup & Restore | ✅ | External tooling | +| Audit Trail | ✅ | Limited | +| Dynamic Redirect Rules | ❌ | ✅ | +| Multi-domain | Planned | ✅ | +| Ecosystem | Growing | Mature | + +## Summary + +Choose Shlink when: + +* Multi-domain management is critical +* Dynamic redirect rules are required +* Enterprise-scale analytics matter + +Choose BZOD when: + +* Simplicity matters +* Privacy matters +* Minimal infrastructure matters +* Landing pages are important + +--- + +# BZOD vs YOURLS + +YOURLS is the classic self-hosted URL shortener. + +## Comparison + +| Aspect | BZOD | YOURLS | +| ------------- | ------------- | ---------- | +| Language | Rust | PHP | +| Architecture | Single binary | LAMP stack | +| Plugins | Not required | Extensive | +| Landing Pages | ✅ | Plugin | +| QR Analytics | ✅ | Plugin | +| Audit Logs | ✅ | Plugin | +| Backup Tools | ✅ | External | +| API | ✅ | ✅ | +| Maintenance | Minimal | Moderate | + +## Summary + +YOURLS wins on: + +* Age +* Community +* Plugin ecosystem + +BZOD wins on: + +* Simplicity +* Deployment +* Modern architecture +* Integrated features + +--- + +# BZOD vs Chhoto URL + +Chhoto URL is the closest Rust-based competitor. + +## Comparison + +| Aspect | BZOD | Chhoto URL | +| ---------------- | ------ | ---------- | +| Language | Rust | Rust | +| Landing Pages | ✅ | ❌ | +| QR Codes | ✅ | ✅ | +| QR Analytics | ✅ | ❌ | +| Password Links | ✅ | ❌ | +| Backup & Restore | ✅ | ❌ | +| REST API | ✅ | JSON-RPC | +| Audit Logs | ✅ | ❌ | +| Analytics | Rich | Basic | +| Binary Size | ~18 MB | Smaller | + +## Summary + +Choose Chhoto URL for: + +* Maximum simplicity +* Minimal footprint + +Choose BZOD for: + +* Feature completeness +* Better administration +* Better analytics + +--- + +# Why BZOD Exists + +Most self-hosted URL shorteners optimize for one of two extremes: + +1. Extremely simple redirect service +2. Large multi-service platform + +BZOD attempts to sit in the middle: + +* Small enough for a Raspberry Pi +* Powerful enough for organizations +* Simple enough for homelabs +* Complete enough for production use + +--- + +# The NX9 Philosophy + +BZOD is part of the **NX9 Platform**. + +NX9 projects follow strict engineering principles: + +* Linux-native first +* Rust-first +* Single binary deployments +* No NodeJS +* No React dependency +* No Python runtime dependency +* No vendor lock-in +* No telemetry +* Privacy-first +* Self-hostable +* MIT OR Apache-2.0 licensed + +GitHub and Codeberg repositories are only source code hosting locations. + +The actual project is the software itself. + +The goal of NX9 is simple: + +> Build technology that serves people, organizations, communities, and governments — not advertising networks, data brokers, or vendor ecosystems. + +--- + +# Conclusion + +BZOD is not merely a URL shortener. + +It is a lightweight URL management platform that combines: + +* Link shortening +* Landing pages +* QR ecosystem +* Analytics +* Automation +* Security +* Backups + +into a single deployable Rust binary. + +For users seeking privacy, simplicity, ownership, and long-term sustainability, BZOD offers a compelling alternative to both cloud SaaS platforms and traditional self-hosted URL shorteners. diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index 0f6d8c5..32277be 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -143,27 +143,54 @@

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Install BZOD

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+ Deploy on any Debian/Ubuntu VPS, homelab, mini-PC, or + Raspberry Pi. +

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+ > - Linux Installation + Downloads the latest release and installs BZOD as a systemd + service. Linux Installation - -
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curl -fsSL https://bzo.in/deploy.sh | sudo bash
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Install BZOD

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