When building a mobile app, there’s a good chance you’ll run into deep linking and attribution at some point. Not just some fancy features but pretty useful to let the users navigate your app and to understand how people find and use it. For this, Branch.io has been the Flutter dev’s neato tool. It’s been around for a while and does a solid job.
But here’s the thing— not every app has the same requirements. I’ve seen more and more developers looking for options. Maybe the pricing doesn’t quite work, maybe the APIs feel a bit heavy, or maybe you just want more control. If you’ve ever worked with deep linking in Flutter, odds are you’ve already tried out Branch.io or at least thought about it. It’s good, but it’s not great for everyone.
And so here we are. Over time, I’ve tested a few different options and thought, Why not just share what I found? There’s no big polished comparison here; it’s just a straight guide based on real experience. If you’re checking out other tools, maybe this will help you find one better suited to your app.
While Branch.io is one of the best deep-linking tools, it’s not ideal for every situation. You might find it very hard to integrate
A mobile measurement and deep-linking platform focused on user attribution, fraud prevention, and analytics.
● Enterprise-level attribution and fraud protection
● Custom deep links, deferred deep linking
● Supports Flutter via SDK wrapper
● Expensive for smaller teams
● Complex setup
Best For: Enterprises and apps needing advanced fraud detection and marketing attribution.
A leading mobile attribution platform offering in-depth analytics and customizable deep linking.
● Detailed attribution analytics
● Smart deep linking and retargeting
● Flutter SDK support
● Premium pricing
● Requires more dev time for custom setup
Best For: Marketing-heavy apps and large-scale growth teams.
Technically part of Appsflyer but can be used independently for linking needs.
● Smart links
● Social media attribution
● Retargeting links
● Post-install experiences
Best For: AppsFlyer users focused on link-based campaigns.
A simple, no-code deep linking solution with support for multiple platforms.
● Easy to set up
● Good for marketers
● White-label options
● Not a full attribution suite
● Limited free tier
Best For: No-code/low-code teams or quick marketing campaigns.
Cloud-based deep linking and QR code platform for marketers.
● Great for social media campaigns
● Easy interface
● Affordable plans
● Less control for developers
● No attribution SDK
Best For: Non-developer teams running influencer or social campaigns.
When selecting a Branch.io alternative for Flutter integration, there are several key factors to evaluate:
SDK Support Check if the platform offers a Flutter plugin or a REST API for seamless integration.
Analytics Determine if you need user attribution, install tracking, or retargeting features.
Pricing Assess whether the platform is free or paid, and whether it charges a flat rate or uses event-based billing.
Compliance Make sure the solution complies with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, and includes privacy-protective features.
Scale Ensure the platform can support large-scale usage, such as handling millions of links or events.
Enterprise apps Adjust or AppsFlyer are recommended for their robust capabilities.
Simple linking Use Deeplink.me or URL genius for straightforward deep linking needs.
Marketing-heavy campaigns OneLink or AppsFlyer offer strong marketing and attribution features.
Cost-conscious developers Firebase Dynamic Links is a budget-friendly option with solid functionality.