Deep linking tools with attribution
The deep linking tools that also attribute installs, ranked on six link features and free plans: Linkrunner, AppsFlyer, Airbridge, Adjust, Kochava and more.
If you need links and attribution together, use an MMP with built-in deep linking, so the click, the install and later events sit in one record. On six link features plus free plans, Linkrunner ranks first, covering all six on its free plan, followed by AppsFlyer and Airbridge.
What is a deep linking tool with attribution?
A deep linking tool with attribution is an MMP (mobile measurement partner) whose links open the right screen in the app and also credit the install, and every later event, to the campaign, ad or creator behind the click.
Link tools stop at the click. They can tell you a link was tapped, but not which install or purchase followed, and they do not report installs back to ad networks such as Meta or Google.
Attribution: matching an install or in-app event to the marketing touch that caused it, usually the last click within a lookback window.
Which deep linking tools include attribution, ranked?
- 1
Linkrunner14 of 14Best for: Linking and attribution together on a free plan
- 2
AppsFlyer11 of 14Check: Since 15 Sep 2026 the free Zero plan has no deferred deep linking, branded domains or raw data exports.
- 3
Airbridge10 of 14Best for: Deep links plus attribution on a low monthly entry price
- 4
Adjust9 of 14Check: No published prices beyond the free plan.
- 5
Kochava9 of 14Best for: A monthly free allowance with SmartLinks and QR codes, including TV apps
- 6
Singular8 of 14Check: The plan placement of individual link features is not stated.
- 7
Branch6 of 14Check: No published prices, and the entry Basics tier is a trial limited to 3 ad partners.
Scored on the six link features in the table below (2 points on the free or entry plan, 1 on a paid plan or where the plan is not stated, half for partial) plus 2 points for a permanent free plan or 1 for a capped or first-year one. Ties are alphabetical. More on the method.
Where Linkrunner fits: Best for app teams that want deep links and attribution from one SDK. Every link is deferred by default, every feature is on a free plan of 25k attributed installs, and pricing after that runs from $0.012 to $0.007 per attributed install. See Linkrunner deep links.
How do they compare feature by feature?
Linkrunner is first, then A to Z.
Free or entry plan Paid plan Yes, plan not stated Partly Not published No
| Platform | Install attribution | Deferred deep links | Universal Links and App Links | Custom link domain | QR codes | Web-to-app | Free plan | Paid price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkrunnerMMP with links | Free or entry planAttribution and deep linking in one platformL1 | Free or entry planEvery link deferred by defaultL1 | Free or entry planUniversal Links and App LinksL1 | Free or entry planBranded short links on custom domainsL1 | Free or entry planQR code deep linksL1 | Free or entry planWeb-to-app flowsL1 | 25k attributed installs, one time, no expiry, every feature | $0.012 down to $0.007 per attributed install after the free 25kL2 |
| AdjustMMP with links | Free or entry planFree Base plan for the first yearAD1 | Free or entry planDirect and deferred deep linking on every planAD1 | Yes, plan not statedDocumented under TrueLinkAD4 | Paid planOwn domain on TrueLink Core Standard or Enterprise packagesAD2 | Yes, plan not statedQR code with short branded linksAD3 | Paid planSmart banners are a paid add-onAD1AD5 | 1.5k conversions a month, first year only | Not public beyond the free planAD1 |
| AirbridgeMMP with links | Free or entry planGoogle, Meta, Apple and TikTok attribution in CoreAB2 | Free or entry planDeferred deep links in CoreAB1 | Not publishedNot stated on the pricing pages | Free or entry planCustom domains in CoreAB2 | Free or entry planShort links and QR codes in CoreAB1 | Free or entry planWeb-to-app banner in CoreAB1 | 30-day free trial | From $40 a month (Core), billed per data pointAB1 |
| AppsFlyerMMP with links | Free or entry planZero plan with 12k free conversions in the first yearA2 | Paid planStandard deep linking tier and upA1 | Free or entry planIncluded in all packagesA1 | Paid planBranded domains on Advanced and upA1 | Free or entry planShort links and QR codes on ZeroA1 | Free or entry planWeb and social-to-app routing on Zero; smart banners on AdvancedA1 | 12k conversions, first year only | $0.07 per conversion (Growth); deep linking tiers are custom pricedA2A1 |
| BranchMMP with links | Yes, plan not statedYes; plan details not publishedB1 | Yes, plan not statedYes; plan not publishedB1 | Yes, plan not statedThrough app.link and custom domainsB2 | Yes, plan not statedCustom link domain supportedB2 | Yes, plan not statedDocumented; plan not confirmedB2 | Yes, plan not statedJourneys banners with the Web SDKB2 | Trial only (Basics) | No public pricesB1 |
| KochavaMMP with links | Free or entry planFree App Analytics, 10k conversions a monthK1 | Yes, plan not statedListed; plan not statedK1 | Paid planFoundation and upK1 | Yes, plan not statedCustom domain or vanity links listed; plan not statedK1 | Free or entry planSmartLinks with QR codes on FreeK1 | Not publishedNot stated | 10k conversions a month | From $500 a month (Foundation)K1 |
| SingularMMP with links | Free or entry planFree plan up to 15k paid conversionsS1 | Yes, plan not statedSingular Links handle deferred deep links; plan not statedS4S5 | Yes, plan not statedCovered in Singular Links setupS5 | Yes, plan not statedBranded domains instead of sng.linkS2 | Yes, plan not statedQR codes for custom source linksS3 | Yes, plan not statedSmart bannersS4 | 15k paid conversions | $0.05 per conversion (Growth)S1 |
What stands out:
- Deferred deep links on the free plan: Linkrunner and Adjust list them on free plans. AppsFlyer lists them from its custom-priced Standard tier, and Kochava and Singular do not say which plan.
- Custom domains: Linkrunner (free plan) and Airbridge (Core) include them; AppsFlyer needs Advanced and Adjust a TrueLink Core Standard or Enterprise package.
- Free plans that last: Linkrunner's 25k attributed installs have no expiry, and Kochava's free plan covers 10k conversions a month. Adjust's and AppsFlyer's free allowances end after the first year; Branch and Airbridge offer trials.
Why use one tool for links and attribution?
- One SDK: a separate link tool and MMP means two SDKs matching the same install.
- One record: the link click, install, sign-up and revenue are tied together, so creator and QR campaigns show revenue, not just taps.
- Postbacks: an MMP sends installs and events back to ad networks so their bidding learns; link tools don't.
Price is the main reason teams split them. Before committing, compare MMP prices at your volume on MMPCompares' MMP pricing table. Linkrunner's glossary explains deep linking and how it connects to attribution.
When is a link tool enough?
- You only need links that open an installed app, for email, push or social.
- You track results in web analytics and don't run paid app install campaigns.
- You want branded short links first and app links second.
In that case see free deep linking tools or the platform list.
Questions
Which deep linking tool should I use if I also need attribution?
An MMP with built-in linking. On the six features and free plans scored here, Linkrunner ranks first because it lists all six on a free plan of 25k attributed installs, followed by AppsFlyer and Airbridge.
Does Branch include attribution?
Yes, Branch is an MMP. It publishes no prices, its Basics plan is a trial limited to 3 ad partners, and it does not publish which plan includes each link feature, so it scores lower here.
Is Airbridge cheaper than other MMPs for deep links?
Airbridge Core starts from $40 a month with deferred deep links, custom domains, QR codes and a web-to-app banner, billed per data point after 500k. Whether that is cheaper depends on your volume.
Can I use a link tool and an MMP together?
Yes, but you run two SDKs, and installs from link-tool links reach the MMP only as clicks it cannot see unless you pass parameters across. Most teams that need attribution use the MMP's own links.
What is a deep linking tool?
A deep linking tool creates links that open a specific screen inside a mobile app instead of the home screen or a web page. Good tools also handle users without the app, sending them to the store and then to the right screen after install.
What is deferred deep linking?
Deferred deep linking keeps the link's destination through an app install. A user who taps a link without the app goes to the store, installs, opens the app and still lands on the screen the link promised.
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