7 Free Firebase Dynamic Links Alternatives (2025 Tier List)

When Google announced the shutdown of Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) in August 2025, thousands of developers were left searching for viable alternatives. If you've been relying on Firebase's free tier for deep linking, deferred deep linking, and cross-platform routing, you're likely wondering: what's the best free replacement that won't compromise on features?

This comprehensive tier list evaluates the top 7 free Firebase Dynamic Links alternatives available in 2025, ranked by functionality, ease of migration, and total cost of ownership. We'll help you find the perfect solution that matches Firebase's capabilities without the deprecation anxiety.

For a complete migration strategy, check out our Ultimate Guide to Deferred Deep Linking (2025 Edition) and our detailed Firebase Dynamic Links Migration Checklist.

The Firebase Dynamic Links Free Tier Challenge

Firebase Dynamic Links offered a compelling value proposition: unlimited deep links, deferred deep linking, basic analytics, and cross-platform support—all at zero cost. The shutdown forced developers to evaluate alternatives, but many discovered that "free" alternatives come with hidden limitations:

• MAU (Monthly Active User) caps that trigger unexpected charges

• Click limits that restrict growth potential

• Feature paywalls hiding essential capabilities like deferred deep linking

• Limited analytics compared to Firebase's integration with Google Analytics

The key question isn't just "Is it free?" but "Will it stay free as my app scales?"

2025 Firebase Alternatives Tier List

Deep Dive: Top 3 Free Firebase Dynamic Links Alternatives

S-Tier: Smler.io – The True Firebase Spiritual Successor

Smler.io emerges as the closest free alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links, combining the intuitive UI developers loved about Firebase with the enterprise-grade power of platforms like Branch—but without the prohibitive costs.

Why Smler Ranks S-Tier:

Smler's free tier offers 10,000 clicks per month with full access to deferred deep linking, universal links for iOS, Android App Links, and comprehensive link-level analytics. Unlike competitors that gate essential features behind paywalls, Smler provides the complete deep linking stack from day one.

The platform's deferred deep linking implementation is remarkably straightforward. Where Firebase required developers to parse Dynamic Link parameters manually, Smler provides SDK-free integration through simple URL parameters. You can implement deferred deep linking in under 15 minutes following our iOS integration guide or Android integration guide.

What truly sets Smler apart is its link-level analytics that rival Firebase's Google Analytics integration. Every shortened link provides granular insights including geographic distribution, device types, browser breakdown, operating system trends, and hourly/daily performance metrics—all visualized through interactive dashboards. This eliminates the need for separate analytics platforms.

For teams migrating from Firebase, Smler offers dedicated migration documentation that maps Firebase concepts directly to Smler equivalents. The platform supports custom branded domains out of the box, meaning your short links maintain brand consistency (myapp.link/promo instead of generic smler.io/abc123).

The cost advantage becomes apparent at scale. While Branch charges $299/month once you exceed 10,000 monthly active users, Smler's pricing model is based on clicks, not users. Even at the paid tier ($19/month for 100,000 clicks), you're getting 10x the capacity for a fraction of Branch's cost. For bootstrapped startups and growing apps, this pricing structure is transformational.

Best For: Startups and scale-ups seeking Firebase-like simplicity with enterprise features, mobile-first apps requiring robust deferred deep linking, and teams wanting transparent, scalable pricing without MAU surprises.

A-Tier: Dub.co – The Open-Source Powerhouse

Dub.co has gained significant traction in 2025 as an open-source link management platform with strong deep linking capabilities. Its free tier allows creating up to 1,000 links with unlimited clicks, making it attractive for content-heavy applications.

Why Dub Ranks A-Tier:

Dub excels at basic deep linking through iOS Universal Links and Android App Links. The platform's open-source nature means you can self-host if you're comfortable managing infrastructure, giving you complete control over your linking infrastructure. The dashboard UI is modern and developer-friendly, with a robust API for programmatic link creation.

However, Dub's positioning as a general-purpose link shortener rather than a mobile-first deep linking platform shows in critical areas. Deferred deep linking—the ability to pass context through app installations—is only available on enterprise plans with custom pricing. This is a significant limitation compared to Firebase, which included deferred deep linking in its free tier.

The analytics are solid for web-based use cases, tracking clicks, geographic data, and referrers effectively. But they lack the mobile-specific insights that Firebase provided, such as app install attribution, post-install behavior tracking, and cross-device journey mapping. For pure link shortening with basic deep linking, Dub performs admirably. For complex mobile user journeys, it falls short of Firebase's capabilities.

The 1,000 link creation limit can be restrictive for apps that generate dynamic links per user or per transaction. If your app creates unique links for each product share or referral invitation, you'll hit this ceiling quickly. Dub's pricing beyond the free tier ($24/month for 25,000 clicks) is reasonable but caps features that Smler includes free.

Best For: Web-first applications with light mobile requirements, open-source enthusiasts comfortable with self-hosting, and projects prioritizing link management over advanced deep linking features.

B-Tier: Native App Links (DIY Approach)

Implementing iOS Universal Links and Android App Links directly—without a third-party platform—represents the DIY approach that many developers consider post-Firebase.

Why Native App Links Rank B-Tier:

The appeal is obvious: no external dependencies, complete control, and zero ongoing subscription costs. iOS Universal Links and Android App Links are mature technologies supported by Apple and Google respectively, and they work reliably when properly configured.

Apple's Universal Links require hosting an AASA (Apple App Site Association) file on your domain with proper HTTPS configuration. Android App Links need a Digital Asset Links JSON file and intent filters in your app manifest. Both require developer portal configuration and app signing. For teams with strong mobile development expertise, this is achievable in a few days.

The challenge emerges with deferred deep linking. Native App Links only work when the app is already installed. If a user clicks a link without your app installed, iOS and Android will open the web fallback—but there's no built-in mechanism to pass the original link context after app installation. Implementing this requires building your own attribution server, cookie/fingerprinting system, and cross-device matching logic.

Building a Firebase-equivalent deferred deep linking system from scratch typically requires 80-120 hours of senior developer time (roughly $8,000-$15,000 in labor costs) plus ongoing infrastructure expenses for link hosting, analytics collection, and server maintenance. Our analysis in "Why Buying Smler is Cheaper Than Building Your Own URL Shortener" breaks down these hidden costs.

Analytics is another gap. You'll need to instrument tracking yourself, likely integrating Google Analytics 4, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to capture link performance data. This adds integration complexity and fragments your analytics across platforms.

Native App Links shine for simple use cases: a marketing campaign with five static links, a homepage-to-app routing, or basic content sharing where you control link creation. They struggle with dynamic, user-generated links at scale or any scenario requiring post-install attribution.

Best For: Single-purpose apps with minimal linking needs, teams with surplus development resources, and scenarios where data sovereignty requirements mandate complete self-hosting.

Migration Ease: Time & Cost to Switch from Firebase Dynamic Links

Understanding migration complexity is critical for teams facing the Firebase shutdown deadline. Here's what switching to each alternative actually involves:

Migrating to Smler.io

Estimated Time: 4-8 hours for basic implementation, 1-2 days for full analytics integration

Technical Requirements:

• Update app deep link handling to parse Smler URL parameters (similar to Firebase's getDynamicLink)

• Replace Firebase SDK calls with Smler API endpoints for link creation

• Configure custom domain (if using branded links)

• Set up AASA file and Android App Links for your domain

Smler's Firebase migration guide provides side-by-side code comparisons. The platform's API structure mirrors Firebase's mental model, making the transition intuitive for developers familiar with FDL. Most teams complete basic migration in a sprint.

Cost: Free tier covers 10,000 clicks/month. Migration itself costs only developer time (typically 8-16 hours at blended rate = $800-$2,000 one-time).

Migrating to Dub.co

Estimated Time: 1-2 days for basic deep linking, 1 week+ if implementing custom deferred deep linking

Technical Requirements:

• Refactor link creation logic to use Dub's API

• Implement Native App Links (Dub doesn't provide deferred deep linking on free tier)

• Build custom solution for post-install attribution if needed

• Migrate analytics tracking to Dub's webhooks or API

The lack of built-in deferred deep linking means you're essentially combining Dub (for link shortening) with a custom-built attribution system. This hybrid approach increases complexity significantly.

Cost: Free tier for basic usage. If you need deferred deep linking, factor in development time for custom implementation ($5,000-$10,000) or upgrade to enterprise pricing (contact sales).

Migrating to Native App Links

Estimated Time: 3-5 days for basic setup, 2-4 weeks for full deferred deep linking implementation

Technical Requirements:

• Configure iOS Universal Links with AASA file hosting

• Set up Android App Links with Digital Asset Links verification

• Build custom link generation and management system

• Develop deferred deep linking infrastructure (server-side attribution, device fingerprinting)

• Implement analytics collection and visualization

This approach requires the most development effort but eliminates ongoing subscription costs. It's viable for teams with existing backend infrastructure and mobile expertise.

Cost: Development time (80-120 hours = $8,000-$15,000), plus hosting/infrastructure costs ($50-$200/month depending on scale).

Migrating to Branch.io

Estimated Time: 1-2 days for SDK integration, 3-5 days for full feature parity

Technical Requirements:

• Integrate Branch SDK (iOS and Android)

• Replace Firebase link creation with Branch API calls

• Configure Branch dashboard with app credentials

• Map Firebase analytics events to Branch equivalents

Branch offers the smoothest technical migration—their SDK is mature and well-documented. The challenge is cost, not complexity.

Cost: Free up to 10,000 MAU, then $299/month minimum. For a growing app, this can escalate to $2,000+/month quickly. The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) over 3 years ranges from $10,000-$70,000+ depending on growth.

The "Free Tier" Truth: Hidden Costs Revealed

When evaluating Firebase alternatives, the published "free tier" often masks critical limitations:

The MAU Trap (Branch, AppsFlyer)

Monthly Active User pricing sounds reasonable until your app gains traction. A viral feature or successful marketing campaign can push you from 9,000 to 15,000 MAU overnight, triggering a $299/month bill with zero warning. Branch's MAU counting includes any user who clicks a deep link, even if they don't install or engage further—a much broader net than you might expect.

The Feature Paywall (Dub, Bitly)

Platforms advertising "free deep linking" often limit this to basic iOS/Android app routing. Deferred deep linking—arguably the most valuable feature Firebase offered—sits behind enterprise paywalls. You discover this limitation only after investing time in integration.

The Click Limit Cliff (Most Platforms)

A 1,000 clicks/month limit sounds generous until you realize a single viral post can consume your entire quota in hours. Smler's 10,000 click free tier provides 10x more headroom, and the $19/month paid tier offers 100,000 clicks—still less than one month of Branch's basic plan.

The Analytics Gap (Native Solutions)

DIY approaches save subscription costs but require building analytics infrastructure. Firebase's integration with Google Analytics 4 provided attribution, funnel analysis, and user journey mapping automatically. Replicating this with custom instrumentation costs thousands in development time and ongoing maintenance.

Why Free Tiers Beat Google's Native Paths

Google's shutdown of Firebase Dynamic Links left developers wondering if they should just use Google's other linking solutions. The reality is that Firebase FDL was a unique product—Google's current offerings don't replace it effectively:

Google Smart Lock / Google One Tap

These handle authentication and sign-in flows but don't provide deep linking infrastructure for content routing or cross-platform navigation. They're complementary to deep linking, not substitutes.

Android App Links (Native)

As discussed, native App Links handle basic deep linking but lack deferred capabilities and require separate iOS implementation. Firebase FDL's value was the unified cross-platform abstraction—something Google no longer offers.

Google Analytics 4 Campaign URLs

GA4's campaign tracking works for web analytics but doesn't provide app deep linking or mobile attribution. It's analytics-focused, not user-routing focused.

The free tier platforms listed in this guide (especially Smler) actually provide more Firebase-like functionality than Google's own current products. Google essentially exited the free deep linking market, creating an opportunity for focused platforms to serve developers better.

Free tiers also preserve the experimentation and iteration speed that made Firebase attractive to startups. When you can test different linking strategies, A/B test app onboarding flows, and iterate on user acquisition campaigns without worrying about per-click costs or MAU limits, you move faster. Smler's generous free tier (10,000 clicks) enables this experimental mindset.

Special Considerations: Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

For teams operating in regulated industries or specific geographic markets, compliance features matter as much as technical capabilities. This is an often-overlooked dimension in Firebase alternatives comparison.

Smler specifically addresses compliance requirements that Firebase lacked. The platform's compliance-ready URL generation supports DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) headers required by India's TRAI regulations for SMS campaigns. If your app sends transactional or promotional SMS with shortened links, TRAI compliance isn't optional—non-compliant links get blocked by telecom operators.

Our guide on Ensuring TRAI SMS Compliance details how Smler's custom domain and header features prevent SMS blocking. This capability isn't available in Dub, Branch's free tier, or native App Links—it requires a platform built with regulatory requirements in mind.

For European teams, GDPR considerations around user tracking and data residency matter. Self-hosted solutions (like self-hosted Dub) provide maximum control, while platforms like Smler offer transparent data handling with webhook integrations that let you keep user journey data in your own systems.

The Verdict: Choosing Your Firebase Dynamic Links Replacement

After analyzing technical capabilities, migration complexity, and total cost of ownership, here's our recommendation framework:

Choose Smler.io if:

• You want the closest Firebase experience (comprehensive deferred deep linking, intuitive UI, generous free tier)

• You're a startup or growing app that needs to scale without hitting MAU pricing walls

• You require link-level analytics without separate platform integration

• You need compliance features (TRAI, DLT headers) for regulated markets

• You value transparent, click-based pricing over user-based billing

Choose Dub.co if:

• You're primarily a web application with light mobile deep linking needs

• You prefer open-source solutions with self-hosting options

• You don't require deferred deep linking (or plan to build it yourself)

• You create fewer than 1,000 unique links

Choose Native App Links if:

• You have strong mobile development resources and surplus time

• Your linking needs are simple and static (under 10 unique links)

• Data sovereignty requirements mandate complete self-hosting

• You don't need deferred deep linking or sophisticated analytics

Choose Branch.io if:

• You're an enterprise with budget for $299+/month and need advanced attribution

• You require complex multi-touch attribution across paid channels

• You're already using Branch for attribution and want consolidated tooling

For 90% of teams migrating from Firebase Dynamic Links, Smler.io offers the optimal balance of features, ease of migration, and cost. It's the only platform that truly replicates Firebase's free tier value proposition while adding capabilities Firebase lacked (compliance, custom domains, superior analytics).

Next Steps: Implementing Your Firebase Alternative

Ready to move beyond Firebase Dynamic Links? Here's your action plan:

1. Audit your current Firebase implementation: Document how many links you create monthly, which features you use (basic deep linking, deferred deep linking, analytics), and your click volume.

2. Start with Smler's free tier: Sign up for Smler (no credit card required) and create test links following our step-by-step deferred deep link generation guide.

3. Implement in a test environment: Use our iOS or Android integration guides to update your app's deep link handling.

4. Run parallel testing: Keep Firebase running while testing Smler links to verify functionality before full cutover.

5. Migrate link creation: Update your backend to generate Smler links instead of Firebase Dynamic Links using the Smler API.

6. Configure analytics: Set up webhook notifications to pipe link analytics into your existing systems.

7. Sunset Firebase: Once validated, disable Firebase Dynamic Link creation and monitor for any edge cases.

The entire migration typically completes in 1-2 weeks for most teams, with zero downtime if you follow a phased approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate from Firebase Dynamic Links without app updates?

Partially. If you're only using basic deep linking (opening specific app screens), you can configure Smler links to match your existing URL patterns, requiring minimal app changes. However, deferred deep linking requires updating how your app handles link parameters post-install. Budget for at least one app release to fully migrate.

What happens to existing Firebase Dynamic Links after shutdown?

Google has stated that existing FDL links will continue working beyond the August 2025 shutdown date, but no new links can be created. However, relying on deprecated infrastructure is risky—Google could change this policy. Plan to replace all Firebase links with your chosen alternative within 6-12 months.

Do these alternatives work with SMS marketing campaigns?

Yes, but with important caveats. Smler explicitly supports SMS compliance requirements including TRAI DLT headers. Branch and Dub don't provide SMS-specific compliance features, which can result in blocked messages in regulated markets like India. If SMS is a key channel, this feature gap matters significantly.

Can I use my own custom domain instead of the platform's default?

Smler, Branch, and Dub all support custom branded domains (e.g., go.yourapp.com). Native App Links require your own domain by definition. The setup involves DNS configuration and SSL certificate verification, which all platforms guide you through. Smler's custom domain setup guide walks through the process step-by-step.

How do analytics compare to Firebase + Google Analytics integration?

Smler's link-level analytics provide comparable click tracking, geographic data, device/browser breakdown, and temporal trends. You won't get Firebase's automatic funnel analysis or user lifetime value tracking, but you can achieve this by combining Smler's webhooks with your existing analytics platform (Mixpanel, Amplitude, GA4).

Start Your Firebase Migration Today

The Firebase Dynamic Links shutdown isn't a crisis—it's an opportunity to upgrade to a platform purpose-built for modern mobile deep linking without the uncertainty of Google's product strategy.

Smler.io provides everything Firebase offered and more: generous free tier (10,000 clicks/month), full deferred deep linking, comprehensive analytics, custom domains, compliance features, and transparent pricing that won't surprise you as you scale.

Get started in under 10 minutes with no credit card required. Create your first deep link, test deferred routing, and experience why thousands of developers consider Smler the true Firebase Dynamic Links spiritual successor.

Sign up for Smler free tier →

Need migration help? Check out our complete Firebase migration documentation or reach out to our support team for personalized migration planning.