Best Deep Linking Tools in 2026: An Honest Comparison
Branch, AppsFlyer OneLink, Adjust, Airbridge, Kochava, Singular, Bitly, Dub, onelink.to and Appy, checked against their own pricing pages and docs: deep links, deferred deep linking, attribution, QR codes, AI assistants, price and setup.
The short answer
There is no single best deep linking tool. Two kinds of product make deep links, and which one you need depends mostly on whether you buy ads.
If you run paid campaigns on Meta, Google, TikTok or ad networks and need installs credited to each of them, you want a mobile measurement partner (MMP) with deep linking built in: AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Singular, Kochava or Airbridge. If you mainly need links and QR codes that open your app or send each phone to the right store, from channels you own, a link tool is simpler and cheaper: Appy, onelink.to, Dub or Bitly.
Firebase Dynamic Links shut down on August 25, 2025, and its links now return a 404, so plenty of teams are making this choice for the first time. We make Appy. Read our section with that in mind; we list its limits as plainly as everyone else’s.
- tools checked against the same ten criteria
- 10
- document an MCP server for AI assistants, several still in beta
- 9 of 10
- until a Branch short link made through the API or SDK expires if nobody clicks it
- 380 days
- what old Firebase Dynamic Links return since August 25, 2025
- 404
tools checked against the same ten criteria
document an MCP server for AI assistants, several still in beta
until a Branch short link made through the API or SDK expires if nobody clicks it
what old Firebase Dynamic Links return since August 25, 2025
How we compared
We read each vendor’s own pricing page, product pages and developer docs on October 1, 2026, and nothing else: no review sites, no screenshots from forums. Every page we used is in the sources list at the end.
If a vendor doesn’t document something, we say “not documented” rather than guess. That doesn’t always mean the feature is missing, only that you should ask before you sign.
The ten criteria
Deep links and Universal/App Links hosting
Does a tapped link open the installed app, and on whose domain do the verification files live?
Deferred deep linking
Does the destination survive the install, so the first launch opens the promised screen?
Install attribution
Can it tell you which link or campaign brought each install, and does that cover ad networks?
QR codes
Can you make them in the same place and change where they point after printing?
Analytics
What you can see per link, and for how long.
API and automation
Can your own systems create links and pull numbers without the dashboard?
AI assistant (MCP) support
Can Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and similar tools reach your links or data through an MCP server?
Pricing transparency
Is there a price on the vendor’s site, or only a demo form?
Setup effort
What you add to the app: an SDK, a domain, verification files.
Who it fits
The team, budget and use case each tool is built around.
At a glance: linking
Green means documented and included. Amber means with conditions: a higher plan, a beta or extra setup. Red means we found no documentation.
At a glance: measurement and AI assistants
At a glance: price and setup
Branch
Best for: teams that want deep links and mobile attribution from one vendor, with ad partners, web and cross-platform journeys in one dashboard.
Pricing as listed: three plans, Basics, Essentials and Enterprise, with no prices on the page. Basics starts with a free trial; the other two start with a demo.
Strengths
- Deep links and deferred deep links that keep context through the install
- Dynamic QR codes, branded domains and custom slugs
- Links on app.link or on your own domain or subdomain
- Open-source MCP server for its APIs, plus an analytics MCP in closed beta
Watch-outs
- No published prices beyond the trial
- Short links made through the API or SDK expire 380 days after creation unless clicked; dashboard links don’t
- Basics allows three ad partners
- Needs the Branch SDK in your app
AppsFlyer OneLink
Best for: apps already measuring paid campaigns with AppsFlyer, and teams that want an owned-media deep linking suite from a large MMP without buying attribution.
Pricing as listed: deep linking plans are Zero (free), then Standard, Advanced and Premium at custom pricing. The attribution platform gives 12K free conversions in the first year; after that Growth costs $0.07 per conversion and Enterprise is custom.
Strengths
- Deep linking sold on its own, no attribution plan required
- Free Zero plan for short links, deep links and QR codes
- Deferred deep linking, referrals and the OneLink MCP from Standard
- Branded links, bulk links, smart banners and the OneLink API from Advanced
Watch-outs
- No deferred deep linking on the free plan
- Every deep linking tier above Zero is priced on request
- API limits: 100K requests on Advanced, 7.5M on Premium
- Deep link handling runs through the AppsFlyer SDK
Adjust
Best for: growing and large apps that want an MMP with deep linking included and are fine with a sales conversation as volume grows.
Pricing as listed: Base is free for up to 1,500 conversions a month in the first year. Core (up to 250,000 conversions a year) and Enterprise (over 2.5 million) go through sales.
Strengths
- Direct and deferred deep linking listed on every plan
- Base includes all Core features within its volume
- Deep link generator makes links, short URLs and QR codes
- MCP server in early access for aggregated reporting
Watch-outs
- The TrueLink suite and smart banners are paid add-ons on Core and Enterprise
- Base support is English email only
- Universal Links and App Links need a branded domain set up for your apps
- MCP is read-only and switched on through sales
Airbridge
Best for: small and mid-size apps whose paid ads run mostly on Meta, Google, Apple Ads and TikTok, and that want a price they can see.
Pricing as listed: Core has a 30-day free trial, then $40+ a month with 500K data points included and $0.0001 per extra data point, no annual contract. Growth is custom, based on MAU or installs.
Strengths
- Self-serve price with deep linking included
- Deferred deep links, short links, QR codes and a web-to-app banner on Core
- Tracking links are unlimited and don’t count as data points
- MCP server on Core
Watch-outs
- Core attributes Meta, Google, Apple Ads and TikTok only; 330+ networks need Growth
- The bill grows with in-app event volume
- Custom events, raw data export and fraud detection are Growth features
- Needs the Airbridge SDK
Kochava
Best for: apps that want a free MMP tier with deep links and QR codes, and teams measuring TV and other channels next to mobile.
Pricing as listed: Free App Analytics is $0 a month with 10K conversions a month. Foundation starts at $500 a month (33K conversions) and Enterprise at $2,000 a month (200K MAU).
Strengths
- Free tier includes SmartLinks (deep linking and QR codes) and owned media attribution
- Deferred deep linking with SmartLinks
- Starting prices published for paid tiers
- Branded subdomains for deep links
Watch-outs
- Universal Links and App Links support is listed from Foundation
- MCP lives inside StationOne, an invite-only beta
- Needs the Kochava SDK
Singular
Best for: teams that want MMP attribution with deep links on a free plan and per-conversion pricing after that.
Pricing as listed: Free is $0 per conversion with 15,000 paid conversions and no credit card. Growth is $0.05 per conversion. Enterprise is custom.
Strengths
- Deep linking and deferred deep linking on the free plan
- Email, SMS, social and cross-promo campaigns tracked
- Fraud prevention included on every plan
- MCP for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor and VS Code Copilot
Watch-outs
- Tracking link manager API and web-to-app banners are Enterprise features
- QR codes aren’t listed on the pricing page
- Needs the Singular SDK
Bitly
Best for: marketing teams that mostly need branded short links and QR codes for the web, with app deep links as an extra.
Pricing as listed: the free plan has 5 links and 2 QR codes a month, with unlimited clicks and scans. Mobile deep links come with some paid plans.
Strengths
- Unlimited clicks and scans, even on the free plan
- Universal Links and App Links on your own domain
- Hosted MCP server with 27 tools for links, QR codes and analytics
Watch-outs
- Deep links need a paid plan, a custom domain and the Bitly SDK
- Deferred deep linking and install attribution aren’t documented
- The free plan is small: 5 links a month
Dub
Best for: developer-led teams, and companies running affiliate or partner programs that also want deep links on their own domain.
Pricing as listed: Free has 25 new links and 1K tracked events a month. Pro is $30 a month with deep links, Business $90, Advanced $300 and Enterprise custom, each with a 14-day trial.
Strengths
- Custom domains on every plan: 3 on Free, 10 on Pro
- Hosts your app link verification files on your domain
- API on every plan, plus MCP servers for links and partners
- Device and geo targeting on paid plans
Watch-outs
- Deep links start on Pro and need a custom domain
- Deep link attribution needs Business and works on iOS and React Native only; Android is “coming soon”
- Mobile SDKs are in beta
- 30-day analytics retention on Free
onelink.to
Best for: teams that want one download link and QR code for the App Store and Google Play, set up in minutes.
Pricing as listed: Free (3 links), Professional $10 a month, Team $25, Team Plus $40, Enterprise $80, and Non-Profit $30 a year. Opening the app (“Open in App”) and custom domains start on Team Plus. On Appy, opening the installed app comes with Pro at $9.99 a month.
Strengths
- Unlimited traffic and unlimited link lifetime on every plan
- No ads, including on Free
- Open in App uses Universal Links and App Links with two files on your domain, no SDK mentioned
- Two years of stats on paid plans
Watch-outs
- Deep linking and custom domains only from Team Plus ($40/mo)
- Deferred deep linking and install attribution aren’t documented
- Stats API from Team Plus
- No MCP server documented
Appy (ours)
Best for: app teams that want one link and QR code that opens the app or sends each phone to the right store, Huawei AppGallery included, with prices on the page and no MMP.
Pricing as listed: Free (4 links and QR codes), Pro $9.99 a month with deep links (10 links), Business $39.99 a month with the REST API and MCP server (500 links), and Enterprise on request with the SDK, deferred deep linking and install attribution.
Strengths
- App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery routing on every plan
- Opens the installed app with Universal Links and App Links from Pro, no SDK needed
- Links and QR codes keep working until you delete them, even after you cancel; no per-click fees
- REST API and MCP server on Business; install attribution per link on Enterprise
Watch-outs
- No custom domains for app links yet; they run on your app’s appy.to subdomain
- No ad-network attribution: no SKAdNetwork, no postbacks. Keep an MMP for paid ads
- Deferred deep linking and the SDK are Enterprise only
- Small link allowances: 4, 10 and 500
- MCP connects with an API key; chat apps that need OAuth sign-in can’t connect yet
Which one should you pick?
Last checked
Every vendor fact on this page was checked against the vendor’s own pricing page or documentation on October 1, 2026. Plans change often. If a number here differs from the vendor’s page, trust the vendor’s page, and tell us at [email protected] so we can fix ours.
Read next
- Deferred Deep Linking: How It Works and When to Use ItHow a link’s destination survives the install.
- Firebase Dynamic Links Shutdown: Migration GuideMoving links and QR codes after the shutdown.
- Deferred Deep Linking Without an SDKWhat works with no code in the app.
- Universal Link ValidatorCheck your apple-app-site-association and assetlinks.json files.
Sources
- Branch · Pricingbranch.io/pricing
- Branch · Deep linkingbranch.io/deep-linking
- Branch · Apple Universal Linkshelp.branch.io/developer-hub/docs/ios-universal-links
- Branch · iOS SDK basic integrationhelp.branch.io/developer-hub/docs/ios-basic-integration
- Branch · QR code and short link expirationhelp.branch.io/faq/docs/does-a-branch-generated-qr-code-have-an-expiration-date
- Branch · Short link expiration windowhelp.branch.io/docs/updated-short-link-expiration-window
- Branch · Branch MCPhelp.branch.io/docs/branch-mcp
- AppsFlyer · Pricingappsflyer.com/pricing
- AppsFlyer · Deep linking plansappsflyer.com/pricing/deep-linking
- AppsFlyer · Unified Deep Linkingdev.appsflyer.com/hc/docs/unifieddeeplink
- Adjust · Pricingadjust.com/pricing
- Adjust · TrueLinkhelp.adjust.com/en/article/truelink-adjusts-deep-linking-solution
- Adjust · Deep link generatorhelp.adjust.com/en/article/deep-link-generator
- Adjust · Adjust MCPhelp.adjust.com/en/article/adjust-mcp
- Airbridge · Pricingairbridge.io/en/pricing
- Kochava · Plans and pricingkochava.com/pricing
- Kochava · Deep linkingkochava.com/deep-linking
- Kochava · Universal Links and App Linkssupport.kochava.com/links-overview/adding-universal-link-or-app-link-support
- Kochava · Kochava MCPkochava.com/glossary/kochava-mcp-model-context-protocol
- Singular · Pricingsingular.net/pricing
- Singular · How to configure deep linkssupport.singular.net/hc/en-us/articles/360050910891
- Singular · Singular MCPsupport.singular.net/hc/en-us/articles/37923459892507
- Bitly · Free planbitly.com/blog/bitly-free-plan
- Bitly · Universal Links and Android App Linkssupport.bitly.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000832471
- Bitly · Bitly MCPbitly.com/pages/ai/mcp
- Dub · Dub Links pricingdub.co/pricing/links
- Dub · Deep links quickstartdub.co/docs/concepts/deep-links/quickstart
- Dub · Deferred deep linkingdub.co/docs/concepts/deep-links/deferred-deep-linking
- Dub · Deep link attributiondub.co/docs/concepts/deep-links/attribution
- Dub · Dub MCP serverdub.co/docs/mcp-server
- onelink.to · Pricingonelink.to/pricing
- onelink.to · Open in apponelink.to/features/open-in-app
- Firebase · Dynamic Links deprecation FAQfirebase.google.com/support/dynamic-links-faq
- Appy · Pricingappy.to/pricing
- Appy · SDK documentationappy.to/docs/sdk
- Appy · MCP server documentationappy.to/docs/mcp
Frequently asked questions
What is the best deep linking tool in 2026?
It depends on whether you buy ads. For paid campaigns that need installs credited to each ad network, choose an MMP with deep linking: AppsFlyer, Adjust, Singular, Branch, Kochava or Airbridge. For links and QR codes on channels you own, a link tool such as Appy, onelink.to, Dub or Bitly is simpler and costs less.
What is the best Branch alternative?
For the same scope, deep linking plus ad attribution, AppsFlyer and Adjust are the closest. Airbridge has a published self-serve price, and Singular and Kochava have free tiers. If you used Branch only for links and QR codes, Appy or onelink.to cover that without an SDK.
What replaced Firebase Dynamic Links?
Nothing from Google. Dynamic Links shut down on August 25, 2025, and clicks now return a 404. Google’s FAQ points to third-party providers such as Adjust, Airbridge, AppsFlyer and Branch, or to plain Universal Links and App Links if you only need to open the app.
Do I need an SDK for deep linking?
Not to open an installed app: Universal Links and App Links need settings in the app and verification files on the link domain. Deferred deep linking and install attribution do need an SDK, or on Android your own code that reads the Play install referrer.
Is there a free deep linking tool?
Several have free tiers with limits: AppsFlyer Zero (links and QR codes; deferred deep linking from Standard), Adjust Base (up to 1,500 conversions a month in the first year), Singular Free and Kochava Free App Analytics (10K conversions a month). Dub and Appy are free for basic links, but their deep links start at $30 and $9.99 a month.
Which tools put app links on my own domain?
Branch, Bitly and Dub do, onelink.to from Team Plus, and AppsFlyer lists branded links from Advanced. Appy doesn’t yet: app links run on your app’s appy.to subdomain.
Do deep links expire?
Depends on the vendor. Branch short links made through its API or SDK expire 380 days after creation, and each click resets the clock; links made in the Branch dashboard don’t expire. onelink.to lists unlimited link lifetime, and Appy links keep working until you delete them, even after you cancel.
Is this comparison biased?
We make Appy, so we have a stake. We used only the vendors’ own pages, listed in the sources, and named Appy’s gaps too. If something is wrong or out of date, write to [email protected] and we’ll correct it.
Continue exploring
Branch.io Alternative: No Card, No Overage Bills, No Expiring Links
Branch dropped its free plan. Today you hand over a card just to try it, land on $39 a month with overages that have no cap, and pay $199 a month for a custom domain. Links nobody clicks for 380 days expire. The full picture, and what small teams use instead.
Deferred Deep Linking: How It Works and When to Use It
Understand how deferred deep linking carries the original link intent across install so new users land on the right in-app screen, not a generic home tab.
Branch.io vs AppsFlyer OneLink vs Appy: 2025 Deep Linking Comparison
See how Branch.io, AppsFlyer OneLink, and Appy compare across implementation, analytics, pricing, and compliance to choose the right deep linking platform.
Looking for something else? Browse all topics on the blog.
Need links that open your app, not an MMP?
Create a smart link and QR code on the free plan. Deep links start on Pro, and your links keep working even if you cancel.