Dub.co vs ChottuLink — App-Focused Deep Linking vs Link Branding

Sarah @ ChottuLink

— 3 min read

Both Dub.co and ChottuLink make links smarter — but they’re built for entirely different worlds.

Dub.co is a modern, open-source link shortener built for marketers who care about brand consistency, tracking, and shareable links. It’s all about beautiful, branded URLs that make campaigns look clean and professional.

ChottuLink, on the other hand, is built for the app ecosystem — not just the web. It’s a deep linking platform designed for mobile apps that want seamless user routing, install journeys, and context-driven redirections. If Dub is about branded links and clean analytics, ChottuLink is about link intelligence.

Let’s unpack what that means.

Comparison table showing Dub.co vs ChottuLink across categories such as core purpose, audience, primary use case, integrations, focus area, setup time, pricing, and best use cases—highlighting Dub.co for branded web links and ChottuLink for mobile app deep linking and routing.

Dub.co makes it easy to shorten and share links — but once a user clicks, they land on a web page.

ChottuLink takes that next step — it knows where the user should go inside your app. Whether a user has your app installed or not, ChottuLink routes them perfectly:

  • Existing users go straight into the app (e.g., a product page, challenge screen, or wallet).
  • New users go to the App Store or Play Store, and after installation, land right back where they were supposed to.

That’s the magic of deep linking — an area where ChottuLink is purpose-built, while Dub.co remains primarily web-focused.

Branding vs Functionality: What’s More Important for Growth?

Dub.co excels at brand presentation.

  • Custom domains (like go.yourbrand.com)
  • Clean, trackable URLs
  • Link analytics for campaigns

It’s perfect if you’re running email campaigns, sharing affiliate links, or building branded microsites.

ChottuLink, however, is all about user flow and intent.

  • Deferred deep linking (so users pick up where they left off)
  • Smart fallback URLs
  • Parameter passing for in-app personalization
  • UTM tracking and dynamic routing

In short:

Dub helps you look good. ChottuLink helps you grow faster.

Integrations & API Options

Dub.co offers a solid API and integrates with marketing tools like Zapier, HubSpot, and Slack — great for automation and analytics workflows.

ChottuLink, meanwhile, is developer-ready.

  • REST API for dynamic link creation
  • SDKs for iOS, Android, and React Native
  • Webhooks for real-time link events

Where Dub connects your marketing stack, ChottuLink connects your product ecosystem — from campaigns to in-app behavior.

Verdict: Choose Based on What You’re Building

If your brand lives on the web, Dub.co is a sleek, elegant solution for managing and tracking links.

But if your business runs through an app — where installs, engagement, and reactivations matter — ChottuLink is the clear winner.

It’s not just a link shortener. It’s your app’s routing engine, helping users land where they belong — every time.

 → ChottuLink wins for app growth, user routing, and contextual deep linking.

→ Dub.co wins for branded link management and marketing presentation.

Q1: Can I use both Dub.co and ChottuLink together?

Absolutely. Many teams use Dub for branded web links and ChottuLink for app-related links. They complement each other well.

Q2: Does ChottuLink offer link branding like Dub.co?

You can use custom domains in ChottuLink too.

Q3: Is ChottuLink open source like Dub.co?

No — ChottuLink is a hosted SaaS platform purpose-built for app marketers and developers, offering robust SDKs, APIs, and analytics out of the box.

Q4: Do I need developers to set up ChottuLink?

Not necessarily. The no-code dashboard makes link creation easy, while SDK integration (for deep linking) can be done in minutes by a developer.

Q5: Which one is better for startups?

If your startup is web-based — go with Dub.co. If your startup has a mobile app — ChottuLink is built for you.

Final Thoughts

Both platforms excel in what they do — but they don’t compete in the same lane. Dub.co is the brand marketer’s tool. ChottuLink is the mobile growth team’s weapon.

So, if you’re building for apps, don’t just shorten links — make them smarter. 👉 Try ChottuLink — and start routing users the right way.

Read more

Singular vs ChottuLink — Lightweight vs Analytics-First Which Deep Linking Platform Delivers Faster Time-to-Value in 2025?

Quick Summary When you’re growing an app, every hour spent integrating, configuring, and debugging a complex SDK delays your next milestone. That’s where the difference between Singular and ChottuLink becomes clear. Singular is an analytics-first attribution suite — comprehensive, but complex. ChottuLink is a lightweight deep linking platform — fast

By Sarah @ ChottuLink