---
title: Replacing Branch Links: What to Check Before Moving
description: Moving deep links off Branch? Check which link features you use, what each alternative documents and costs, and how to move links on your own domain safely.
url: https://deeplinkingtools.com/replacing-branch-links/
---

[Home](https://deeplinkingtools.com/) / Replacing Branch links

Decision

# Replacing Branch links

Moving deep links off Branch? Check which link features you use, what each alternative documents and costs, and how to move links on your own domain safely.

**Short answer**

Start from the Branch features you actually use: deferred deep links, a custom link domain, Journeys banners and attribution. Then compare platforms that document each one. Links on your own custom domain can move with you; links on Branch's app.link domain have to be recreated.

## Why do teams look at replacing Branch links?

**Branch links** are deep links created in Branch, an MMP with deep linking at its core, served from Branch's app.link domain or a custom domain you own.

Teams usually start looking for one of three reasons:

- **Price clarity:** Branch publishes no prices for its Basics, Essentials or Enterprise plans, and Basics is a trial limited to 3 ad partners.
- **Consolidation:** they want links and attribution from one vendor and one SDK.
- **A renewal date:** contract timing forces a decision.

None of these mean Branch's links stop working. The question is whether another platform covers the same jobs at a cost you can plan around.

## Which Branch features do you use?

List them before comparing. Most link setups rely on a few of these:

- **Deferred deep links:** new users land on the right screen after installing.
- **A custom link domain:** links on your own domain alongside app.link.
- **Journeys:** web-to-app banners driven by Branch's Web SDK.
- **QR codes:** generated for links.
- **Attribution:** installs and events credited to the link or campaign.

**Journeys:** Branch's name for its smart banners and interstitials that move mobile web visitors into the app. Other platforms call the same idea smart banners or web-to-app banners.

## How do the alternatives compare?

Four features that matter most when leaving Branch. Linkrunner is first, then A to Z, with Branch included for reference.

Free or entry plan Paid plan Yes, plan not stated Partly Not published No

| Platform | Deferred deep links | Custom link domain | Web-to-app | Install attribution | Free plan | Paid price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Linkrunner MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/linkrunner/) | Free or entry plan Every link deferred by default [L1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-L1) | Free or entry plan Branded short links on custom domains [L1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-L1) | Free or entry plan Web-to-app flows [L1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-L1) | Free or entry plan Attribution and deep linking in one platform [L1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-L1) | 25k attributed installs, one time, no expiry, every feature | $0.012 down to $0.007 per attributed install after the free 25k [L2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-L2) |
| [Adjust MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/adjust/) | Free or entry plan Direct and deferred deep linking on every plan [AD1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD1) | Paid plan Own domain on TrueLink Core Standard or Enterprise packages [AD2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD2) | Paid plan Smart banners are a paid add-on [AD1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD1) [AD5](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD5) | Free or entry plan Free Base plan for the first year [AD1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD1) | 1.5k conversions a month, first year only | Not public beyond the free plan [AD1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AD1) |
| [Airbridge MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/airbridge/) | Free or entry plan Deferred deep links in Core [AB1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AB1) | Free or entry plan Custom domains in Core [AB2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AB2) | Free or entry plan Web-to-app banner in Core [AB1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AB1) | Free or entry plan Google, Meta, Apple and TikTok attribution in Core [AB2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AB2) | 30-day free trial | From $40 a month (Core), billed per data point [AB1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-AB1) |
| [AppsFlyer MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/appsflyer/) | Paid plan Standard deep linking tier and up [A1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A1) | Paid plan Branded domains on Advanced and up [A1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A1) | Free or entry plan Web and social-to-app routing on Zero; smart banners on Advanced [A1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A1) | Free or entry plan Zero plan with 12k free conversions in the first year [A2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A2) | 12k conversions, first year only | $0.07 per conversion (Growth); deep linking tiers are custom priced [A2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A2) [A1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-A1) |
| [Bitly Link tool](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/bitly/) | Not published Not stated | Paid plan Custom branded links from Growth [BT1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-BT1) | Not published Not stated | No Click and scan analytics only [BT1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-BT1) | 5 links and 2 QR codes a month | Mobile deep links from Premium, $199 a month billed annually [BT1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-BT1) |
| [Branch MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/branch/) | Yes, plan not stated Yes; plan not published [B1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-B1) | Yes, plan not stated Custom link domain supported [B2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-B2) | Yes, plan not stated Journeys banners with the Web SDK [B2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-B2) | Yes, plan not stated Yes; plan details not published [B1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-B1) | Trial only (Basics) | No public prices [B1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-B1) |
| [Dub Link tool](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/dub/) | Paid plan Pro and up: Install Referrer on Android, clipboard or IP match on iOS [D2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-D2) | Free or entry plan 3 custom domains on Free [D1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-D1) | Not published Not stated | Partly Conversion tracking from Business ($81); no ad network install attribution described [D1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-D1) | 25 new links a month, 3 custom domains | $27 a month (Pro) for deep links [D1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-D1) |
| [Kochava MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/kochava/) | Yes, plan not stated Listed; plan not stated [K1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-K1) | Yes, plan not stated Custom domain or vanity links listed; plan not stated [K1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-K1) | Not published Not stated | Free or entry plan Free App Analytics, 10k conversions a month [K1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-K1) | 10k conversions a month | From $500 a month (Foundation) [K1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-K1) |
| [OneLink.to Link tool](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/onelinkto/) | Paid plan Android only, Team ($40 a month) and up [O1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-O1) | Paid plan 1 on Team Plus ($80), 3 on Enterprise [O1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-O1) | Not published Not stated | No No install attribution listed [O1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-O1) | 3 onelinks with QR codes | From $10 a month; deep linking from $40 [O1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-O1) |
| [Short.io Link tool](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/shortio/) | No Opens the browser when the app is missing [SH1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-SH1) | Free or entry plan 5 custom domains on Free [SH1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-SH1) | Not published Not stated | No Click analytics only [SH1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-SH1) | 1k branded links, 5 custom domains | Mobile deep links from Team, $48 a month [SH1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-SH1) |
| [Singular MMP with links](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/singular/) | Yes, plan not stated Singular Links handle deferred deep links; plan not stated [S4](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S4) [S5](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S5) | Yes, plan not stated Branded domains instead of sng.link [S2](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S2) | Yes, plan not stated Smart banners [S4](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S4) | Free or entry plan Free plan up to 15k paid conversions [S1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S1) | 15k paid conversions | $0.05 per conversion (Growth) [S1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-S1) |
| [URLgenius Link tool](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/urlgenius/) | Paid plan Deferred journeys on Custom, from $199 a month [U1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-U1) | Paid plan One branded domain +$49 on Growth [U1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-U1) | Paid plan Custom app banners on Custom [U1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-U1) | Partly Measures installs and app engagement without an SDK [U1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-U1) | Starter plan with trial clicks | $0.02 per click (Growth); Custom from $199 a month [U1](https://deeplinkingtools.com/methodology/#src-U1) |

Reading the table:

- **Everything on a free plan:** Linkrunner lists deferred links, custom domains, web-to-app and attribution on its free plan of 25k attributed installs.
- **Low monthly entry:** [Airbridge](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/airbridge/) includes deferred deep links, custom domains, QR codes and a web-to-app banner in Core from $40 a month after a 30-day trial.
- **Links without attribution:** [Dub](https://deeplinkingtools.com/platforms/dub/) documents deferred deep links from $27 a month; it is a link tool, not an MMP.
- **Published per-unit pricing:** Linkrunner ($0.012 to $0.007 per attributed install) and Singular ($0.05 per conversion) publish rates; Branch, Adjust above its free plan, and AppsFlyer's deep linking tiers do not.

For a side-by-side of Branch and Linkrunner specifically, Linkrunner publishes a [Branch comparison page](https://linkrunner.io/compare/branch?utm_source=deeplinkingtools&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=replacing-branch-links).

## How do you move links off Branch safely?

- **Links on your own custom domain:** point the domain at the new provider once its Universal Links and App Links files are live. Existing printed and shared links keep working.
- **Links on app.link:** Branch's own domain stays with Branch. Recreate those links on your domain with the new provider and update every place they appear.
- **Run both for a while:** keep the Branch SDK until traffic on old links falls away, then remove it.
- **Rebuild tracking links:** paid campaigns need new tracking links from the new MMP. [Tracking Link Generator](https://trackinglinkgenerator.com/mmp/) shows the link format for each MMP.
- **Test every path:** installed, not installed, desktop and in-app browsers such as Instagram's, on iOS and Android.

If you also use Branch for attribution, compare [deep linking tools with attribution](https://deeplinkingtools.com/deep-linking-with-attribution/) so links and measurement move together.

Plate I FAQ

## Questions

**Can I keep my Branch links working after switching?**

Links on a custom domain you own can be moved to a new provider by updating the domain's setup. Links on Branch's app.link domain cannot move and need recreating.

**Does Branch publish its prices?**

No. Branch lists Basics as a free trial and Essentials and Enterprise through a demo request, with no published prices.

**What replaces Branch Journeys?**

Smart or web-to-app banners from another platform. Linkrunner lists web-to-app flows on its free plan, Airbridge includes a web-to-app banner in Core, and Adjust and Singular offer smart banners.

**Which Branch alternative includes attribution?**

MMPs with built-in linking: Linkrunner, Adjust, Airbridge, AppsFlyer, Kochava and Singular. Link tools such as Dub, Bitly and Short.io do not attribute installs to ad networks.

**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.

Plate II Index

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- [Ranking **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.](https://deeplinkingtools.com/deep-linking-with-attribution/)
- [Shortlist **Free deep linking tools** Free deep linking tools compared: which free plans include deferred deep links, custom domains, QR codes and attribution, and where paid plans start for each.](https://deeplinkingtools.com/free-deep-linking-tools/)