Deep Linking Platforms Compared: Branch vs Airbridge vs Dub vs ChottuLink (2026)

Comparing Branch, Airbridge, Dub.co, and ChottuLink on features, pricing, and fit — so you can make the call without a four-tab spreadsheet.

Who This Comparison Is For

You are probably here because:

• Firebase Dynamic Links shut down and you need a replacement
• You are evaluating your current deep linking stack against alternatives
• You have seen "Branch vs Airbridge" or "Dub vs ChottuLink" in your research and want a single view

These four platforms come up constantly in deep linking discussions, but they don't actually compete in the same way. Two are full Mobile Measurement Platforms (MMPs) with deep linking included. One is a web link management tool with limited deep linking. One is a dedicated deep linking platform.

Understanding which category each belongs to is the most important thing in this comparison.

The 30-Second Summary

The short version:

• Branch and Airbridge are for teams that need attribution + deep linking
• Dub.co is for teams managing web links, social campaigns, and conversion tracking, not mobile app routing
• ChottuLink is for teams that need deep linking without the MMP overhead

Platform Deep Dives

Branch

What it is: Branch is the most established Mobile Linking Platform in the market, used by thousands of apps globally. It combines deep linking with comprehensive cross-platform attribution — connecting user journeys across web, email, paid ads, and organic channels.

Who it's built for: Enterprise apps and large growth teams with dedicated mobile marketing staff who need a unified view of attribution across every channel.

Core deep linking features:

• Universal Links (iOS) + Android App Links
• Deferred deep linking
• Smart Banners (Journeys) — web-to-app banners with targeting rules
• Custom branded domains
• Link analytics and funnel reporting
• REST API and mobile SDKs

Attribution features (what makes Branch expensive):

• Cross-channel attribution: paid ads, email, organic, referral, QR
• Integrations with 1,500+ ad networks and marketing platforms
• Fraud detection
• Cohort analytics and revenue measurement
• Universal Ads for campaign optimization

Pricing: Not publicly listed. Sales-negotiated, typically starting at $500+/month. Annual contracts common.

Firebase replacement fit: Branch is a capable Firebase replacement, but the migration brings significant scope expansion — you're not just replacing links, you're onboarding a full attribution platform. For teams that needed Firebase solely for deep linking, this is more than necessary.

Best for:

• Enterprise apps spending $10K+/month on paid UA
• Teams that need attribution and deep linking in a single platform
• Apps where mobile marketing ROI measurement is a core business requirement

Avoid if:

• You need deep linking without attribution complexity
• Budget for a $500+/mo tool is a constraint
• You want transparent, public pricing

Airbridge

What it is: Airbridge is a Korean-founded MMP with a structure similar to Branch — deep linking as part of a broader attribution platform. It's positioned as a more accessible entry point to MMP features, with a more generous free tier than most competitors.

Who it's built for: Apps that want the trajectory toward paid attribution features, starting from a free or lower-cost deep linking tier. Particularly strong in the APAC market.

Core deep linking features:

• Universal Links (iOS) + Android App Links
• Deferred deep linking
• URI scheme fallback
• Custom branded domains
• Bulk link creation via API
• QR code generation
• Click, install, open tracking

Attribution features (MMP Plan only):

• Paid ad attribution: Meta, Google, TikTok, Naver, and others
• Cohort analytics and revenue tracking
• Marketing mix modeling
• Fraud detection

Pricing:

Firebase replacement fit: Strong. Airbridge's DeepLink Plan covers all the core Firebase Dynamic Links use cases. The limitation is the link cap (3,000 on free tier) and the steep jump to $199/mo above 10K MAU.

Best for:

• Apps under 10K MAU that want to start with a free tier before paying
• Teams planning to add paid attribution in the future and want one platform
• APAC-region teams where Airbridge has regional support advantages

Avoid if:

• You need more than 3,000 links on the free tier
• You want to avoid a $199/mo paid entry point
• You're above 10K MAU and primarily need deep linking (not attribution)

Dub.co

What it is: Dub.co is a modern, open-source link management platform — the Bitly alternative built for developers and marketing teams. It handles branded short links, conversion tracking via tracked events, A/B testing, and analytics. It lists "deep links" as a feature, but this refers to redirecting users based on device or platform — not to iOS Universal Links or Android App Links.

Who it's built for: Marketing teams and developers who create and manage large volumes of web links across campaigns. Not built for mobile app routing.

Features:

• Branded short links with custom domains
• Tracked events/conversions (the core analytics unit)
• A/B testing on links
• Link expiration, password protection, device targeting, geo targeting
• UTM builder and templates
• QR code generation
• REST API
• "Deep links" — device-based redirects (iOS → App Store, Android → Play Store), not Universal Links

What Dub.co does NOT have:

• iOS Universal Links (AASA file configuration)
• Android App Links (assetlinks.json)
• Deferred deep linking (routing new installs to specific in-app content)
• Mobile SDK for in-app deep link handling

Pricing:

Firebase replacement fit: Not a Firebase replacement. Firebase Dynamic Links was primarily used for deferred deep linking and in-app routing. Dub.co does not support these use cases.

Best for:

• Marketing teams managing web content links, campaign links, social links and conversions at scale
• Developers building link-in-bio tools or referral tracking on web

Avoid if:

• You're replacing Firebase Dynamic Links
• You need deferred deep linking or in-app routing
• Your users click links on mobile and you need them to open specific app screens

ChottuLink

What it is: ChottuLink is a dedicated deep linking platform — built as a direct replacement for Firebase Dynamic Links. It focuses exclusively on mobile app deep linking, deferred deep linking, and link management without bundling attribution features.

Who it's built for: Apps of any size that need reliable deep linking without the cost and complexity of an MMP. Especially useful for Firebase migration.

Core features:

• Universal Links (iOS) + Android App Links
• Deferred deep linking
• Smart redirection (iOS → App, Android → App, desktop → Web)
• Custom branded domains (Growth plan, $39/mo+)
• Unlimited links and QR codes
• Social preview customization (Open Graph, Twitter Cards)
• Real-time analytics: clicks, installs, opens, device breakdown
• SDKs: Android (Kotlin), iOS (Swift), Flutter, React Native, Unity, Capacitor
• REST API for programmatic link creation and management
• Free deep link testing tool (no signup)

What ChottuLink does NOT have (yet):

• Paid ad attribution (Meta, Google, TikTok) (coming soon)
• Advanced fraud detection
• Marketing mix modeling

Pricing:

Firebase replacement fit: Strongest of the four. Built specifically for this use case, with dedicated migration support and a free tier designed to match Firebase's previous offering.

Best for:

• Any team replacing Firebase Dynamic Links
• Enterprise apps, Indie developers and startups needing deep linking without the attribution overhead at a low cost
• Enterprise apps and Growth-stage apps up to 500K MAU that don't need full attribution
• Teams that want reliable links with a flat, predictable pricing that doesn't scale unpredictably

Avoid if:

• You need live paid ad attribution right now (it's in the roadmap but not shipped)
• You need deep attribution and fraud detection requirements

Full Feature Matrix

Pricing Side-by-Side at Real MAU Breakpoints

Note: Dub.co pricing is based on tracked events, not MAU. At high event volumes the price is independent of MAU; the comparison above is approximate for teams with proportional web traffic.

Use-Case Routing: Which Platform Fits Your Situation

"I migrated from Firebase and need a drop-in replacement"
→ ChottuLink. Purpose-built for this. Free tier matches Firebase's old offering. SDKs for all major platforms.

"I'm running Meta and Google ads and need to know which campaigns drive installs"
→ ChottuLink's attribution coming soon.

"I need deep linking, and my app has under 10K MAU"
→ Airbridge (free up to 10K MAU with capped links) or ChottuLink (free up to 25K MAU with unlimited links). ChottuLink's free tier is more generous.

"I manage marketing campaigns and mostly create links for web sharing, email, and social"
→ Dub.co. This is exactly what it's built for.

"I'm an enterprise with a mobile marketing team and $500+/mo budget"
→ Branch. It's the most mature, widest attribution coverage, largest ecosystem.

"I want predictable pricing that doesn't scale with MAU"
→ ChottuLink. Flat tiers at $0, $19, $39, $99. No MAU-based scaling within a tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dub.co a Firebase Dynamic Links replacement?

No. Dub.co does not support deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, or Android App Links. It handles web link management and tracked events/conversions, which is a different use case. If you're replacing Firebase Dynamic Links for mobile app routing, look at Branch, Airbridge, or ChottuLink.

What is the cheapest alternative to Branch.io for deep linking?

ChottuLink is the most affordable option for teams that need full mobile deep linking (deferred links, Universal Links, Android App Links, custom domains). Free tier covers 25K MAU with unlimited links. First paid tier is $19/month.

Does Airbridge have a free tier?

Yes. Airbridge's free tier (DeepLink Plan) supports up to 10,000 MAU, 3,000 links, and 200 QR codes. Above 10K MAU, pricing starts at $199/month.

Can Dub.co and ChottuLink be used together?

Yes, and this is a natural combination. Dub.co handles web-based campaign links, social sharing, and conversion tracking on web. ChottuLink handles mobile app deep links and deferred routing. They serve different traffic.

Which platform is easiest to migrate to from Firebase Dynamic Links?

ChottuLink is designed specifically for this migration. The SDK is a near 1:1 replacement for Firebase Dynamic Links, documentation includes a dedicated migration guide, and support is available to assist with the transition. Most teams complete it in under a week.

Does Branch support Firebase Dynamic Links migration?

Yes. Branch supports FDL migration and provides migration guides. However, migrating to Branch means onboarding a full MMP platform — it's a larger scope than replacing links.

The Bottom Line

Branch if you're enterprise-scale and need full attribution. The price is justified when the attribution data is driving meaningful spend decisions.

Airbridge if you want a stepping stone — start on the free DeepLink tier, then grow into MMP features as your paid UA scales up.

Dub.co if your primary channel is the web. It's the best link management tool for web-based campaigns. Not a mobile deep linking tool.

ChottuLink if you need reliable mobile app deep linking at a cost that makes sense for your stage. It covers the Firebase replacement use case better than any other option, with the most generous free tier and the most predictable pricing.

Try ChottuLink free → Up to 25K MAU, unlimited links

Further reading:

• Firebase Dynamic Links Shut Down — 2026 Status and Migration Guide
• Deep Link Tester — free tool