Short.io deep linking
What Short.io links can do, what its free plan covers and what to check before you choose it.
A branded link shortener with a generous free plan on your own domains; its Team plan adds mobile deep links that open the app if installed and the browser if not.
What can Short.io links do?
From Short.io's own pages, read on 2 Nov 2026.
Free or entry plan Paid plan Yes, plan not stated Partly Not published No
| Install attribution | NoClick analytics onlySH1 |
|---|---|
| Deferred deep links | NoOpens the browser when the app is missingSH1 |
| Universal Links and App Links | Not publishedNot stated |
| Custom link domain | Free or entry plan5 custom domains on FreeSH1 |
| QR codes | Free or entry planQR codes for branded linksSH1 |
| Web-to-app | Not publishedNot stated |
| Free plan | 1k branded links, 5 custom domains |
| Paid price | Mobile deep links from Team, $48 a monthSH1 |
Field notes
- Free includes 5 custom domains, 1k branded links and 50k tracked clicks a month.
- Paid plans: Hobby $5, Pro $18, Team $48 and Enterprise $148 a month.
- Mobile deep links start on Team. Short.io describes them as opening the app if installed, otherwise the browser.
- QR codes can be generated and styled for branded links.
Who it suits
Best for: Low-cost branded short links on your own domain.
- Deep links fall back to the browser, so there is no deferred deep linking through install.
- No install attribution.
Questions
Does Short.io support deep links?
Yes, from the Team plan at $48 a month. Short.io says its mobile deep links open the app if it is installed and otherwise open the link in the browser.
Is Short.io free on a custom domain?
Yes. Short.io's free plan includes 5 custom domains and 1k branded links, which makes it a low-cost choice for branded short 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.
Do I need an MMP to deep link?
No. Link tools such as Dub, Bitly or Short.io can open an installed app. You need an MMP when you also want to know which ad, creator or campaign drove each install, because MMPs tie the link click to the install and to in-app events.
What replaced Firebase Dynamic Links?
Nothing from Google. Firebase Dynamic Links shut down on 25 August 2025 and its links now return HTTP 404. Teams moved to MMPs with built-in linking, such as Linkrunner, Adjust, AppsFlyer, Branch or Singular, or to link tools such as Dub or Bitly.
Sources
- SH1 Short.io pricing
Other platforms
- MMP with links
AdjustAn MMP whose plans all include direct and deferred deep linking; the advanced TrueLink product, your own link domain and smart banners are paid packages or add-ons. - MMP with links
AirbridgeAn MMP whose $40-a-month Core plan bundles deferred deep links, custom domains, QR codes and a web-to-app banner with attribution, after a 30-day trial. - MMP with links
AppsFlyerAn MMP whose OneLink links are split across four deep linking tiers: the free Zero tier keeps short links, QR codes and routing, while deferred deep linking, branded domains and smart banners sit on custom-priced tiers. - Link toolBitlyA link shortener and QR platform whose Mobile Deep Links feature, on Premium and Enterprise, opens your app through Universal Links and App Links on a custom domain.
- MMP with links
BranchAn MMP with deep linking at its core; its Basics, Essentials and Enterprise plans publish no prices, and Basics is a trial. - Link toolDubA link management platform with branded short links, QR codes and, from the $27 Pro plan, deep links with deferred deep linking on iOS and Android.
- MMP with links
KochavaAn MMP whose free plan includes SmartLinks with QR codes every month; Universal Links and App Links support starts on the $500-a-month Foundation plan. - MMP with links
LinkrunnerAn MMP that unifies deep linking and attribution: every link is dynamic and deferred by default, with branded links on custom domains, QR codes and web-to-app flows, and every feature is on the free plan. - Link toolOneLink.toAn app store redirect and QR service, unrelated to AppsFlyer's OneLink, whose paid plans add Android deferred deep linking and an open-in-app option.
- MMP with links
SingularAn MMP whose free plan includes deep linking up to 15k paid conversions; Singular Links support deferred deep links, branded domains, QR codes and smart banners. - Link toolURLgeniusAn SDK-free app linking service that opens apps through URL schemes, including apps you don't own, priced per click, with deferred journeys and banners on its Custom plan.