Firebase has long been the go-to backend solution for startups and indie developers, but its pricing can quickly become prohibitive as your app scales. With Smler, you get the essential link management and deep linking features you need with the most generous free tier in the market and pricing designed specifically for bootstrapped teams.
In this guide, we'll explore why Smler is the cheapest Firebase alternative for URL shortening and deep linking, and how it can save you thousands of dollars while you build and grow your app.
Why Startups Are Looking for Firebase Alternatives
Firebase Dynamic Links officially shut down in August 2025, leaving thousands of developers scrambling for alternatives. But even before the shutdown, many startups were already seeking more affordable solutions due to:
Unpredictable costs: Firebase's pay-as-you-go model can lead to unexpected bills as traffic grows
Limited free tier: Firebase's free Spark plan has strict limitations that don't scale with early-stage growth
Vendor lock-in: Deep integration with Google Cloud Platform makes it difficult to migrate
Overkill features: Most apps only need deep linking and analytics, not the entire Firebase suite
For indie hackers and bootstrapped startups, every dollar counts. You need a solution that grows with you without breaking the bank.
Why Smler Has the Best Free Tier for Startups
Smler offers the most generous free tier in the URL shortening and deep linking market. Here's what makes it perfect for early-stage startups:
Industry Leading Free Tier Benefits
15,000 free links per month: The highest limit among all Firebase alternatives enough for most early stage apps
Unlimited clicks: No restrictions on how many users can click your links, even on the free plan
Full deep linking support: iOS Universal Links, Android App Links, and deferred deep linking included
Custom domains: Brand your links from day one without paying enterprise prices
Complete analytics: Track geographic data, device types, browsers, and conversion metrics
API access: Full programmatic control over your links without upgrading
Most competitors charge for features like custom domains, analytics, or limit clicks but Smler gives you everything you need to validate your product and grow your user base without spending a dime.
Pricing Comparison: Smler vs Other Firebase Alternatives
When you do need to scale beyond the free tier, Smler remains the most affordable option. Here's how it compares:
Feature | Smler | Branch.io | AppsFlyer | Bitly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free Links/Month | 15,000 | 1,000 clicks (not links) | No free tier | 50 links total |
Free Clicks | Unlimited | 10,000/month | N/A | Unlimited |
Starting Paid Plan | $9/month | Custom pricing (~$299+) | Custom pricing (~$500+) | $29/month |
Deep Linking | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ Not available |
Custom Domains (Free) | ✅ Yes | ❌ Paid only | ❌ Enterprise only | ❌ Paid only |
For a startup generating 5,000 links and 50,000 clicks per month, here's what you'd pay annually:
Smler: $90/year (starter plan)
Branch.io: ~$3,588+/year (custom enterprise pricing)
Bitly: $348/year (basic plan, but lacks deep linking)
AppsFlyer: ~$6,000+/year (attribution platform pricing)
That's over $3,000 saved annually with Smler—money you can invest in product development, marketing, or hiring.
Essential Features for Indie Developers
Smler focuses on the features that actually matter for bootstrapped teams, without the bloat:
1. Universal Deep Links
Seamlessly route users to your app when installed, or to the App Store/Play Store if not. Smler supports:
iOS Universal Links with associated domains
Android App Links with Digital Asset Links
Deferred deep linking to preserve context after install
Smart fallback URLs for web users
Learn more in our Ultimate Guide to Deferred Deep Linking.
2. Custom Branded Domains
Build trust and brand recognition with your own short domain (like go.yourapp.com) instead of generic smler.io links. Custom domains are included even on the free tier a feature that costs hundreds elsewhere.
Set up takes minutes with our custom brand domains guide.
3. Link-Level Analytics
Track every click with detailed metrics:
Geographic location (country, city)
Device type (iOS, Android, desktop)
Browser and OS versions
Hourly and daily performance trends
Conversion tracking with UTM parameters
Our link-level analytics help you understand user behavior without expensive attribution platforms.
4. Bulk URL Shortening
Upload CSV or XLSX files to create hundreds of links at once—perfect for email campaigns, affiliate programs, or content distribution. Save hours of manual work with bulk shortening.
5. Developer-Friendly API
Full REST API with comprehensive documentation lets you automate link creation and management. Perfect for integrating into your app's backend or marketing automation tools.
Check out our API reference and webhooks guide for real-time notifications.
Migrating from Firebase to Smler
If you're one of the thousands of developers affected by Firebase Dynamic Links shutdown, migration to Smler is straightforward and cost-effective.
Migration Benefits:
API compatibility: Similar REST API structure makes code changes minimal
Data preservation: Import existing link analytics and maintain link history
Cost savings: Reduce infrastructure costs by up to 90%
Our complete Firebase migration guide walks you through the entire process with code examples for both iOS and Android.
For a comparison of all Firebase alternatives, see our 2025 tier list.
Perfect Use Cases for Indie Hackers
Smler is designed for the real-world needs of bootstrapped startups:
Product Launch Campaigns
Create trackable links for Product Hunt, Hacker News, or Reddit launches. Monitor which channels drive the most app installs with detailed analytics.
App Onboarding Flows
Use deferred deep links to guide new users from SMS, email, or social media ads directly to specific screens in your app even if they need to install it first.
Referral Programs
Generate unique short links for each user to share with friends. Track who referred whom and attribute rewards accurately without complex attribution software.
Content Marketing
Share blog posts, tutorials, or case studies with branded short links. Use our UTM builder to track campaign performance across channels.
E-commerce Product Links
Create mobile-optimized product links that open in your app for logged-in users, or show the web store for browsers. Reduce friction and increase conversion rates.
Email Campaigns
Keep emails clean with short, branded links instead of ugly tracking URLs. Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and conversions all in one dashboard.
Getting Started with Smler (5-Minute Setup)
Start using Smler today with zero upfront cost:
Sign up free: Create your account at app.smler.io (no credit card required)
Create your first link: Use the dashboard or API to shorten your first URL
Set up deep linking: Follow our iOS integration guide or Android integration guide
Add your custom domain: Connect your branded domain in settings (optional)
Track and optimize: Monitor analytics and iterate on your marketing strategy
Check our getting started documentation for detailed setup instructions.
Why Startups Choose Smler Over Expensive Alternatives
Transparent, Predictable Pricing
No surprise bills or hidden fees. Our pricing page shows exactly what you'll pay as you scale. Start free, upgrade when you're ready, and never pay for features you don't use.
Privacy & Compliance
GDPR-compliant analytics without tracking cookies. Plus, built-in support for regulatory compliance including TRAI SMS guidelines for India-based startups.
Fast, Reliable Infrastructure
Global CDN ensures your links resolve in under 100ms worldwide. 99.9% uptime SLA means your marketing campaigns never go dark.
Startup-Friendly Support
Real humans respond to your questions (not just chatbots). Our support team helps you troubleshoot integration issues and optimize your link strategy. No pesky bots between us and customers.
Built to Scale
Start with 15,000 links/month, scale to millions. Our infrastructure handles traffic spikes from viral campaigns without breaking a sweat or your budget.
Real Cost Savings: A Startup Scenario
Let's calculate what a typical indie app would spend over its first year:
Scenario: Mobile Gaming App Launch
Months 1-3 (MVP testing): 500 links, 10,000 clicks/month → Smler FREE tier
Months 4-6 (beta launch): 2,000 links, 50,000 clicks/month → Smler Starter ($9/month)
Months 7-12 (growth phase): 8,000 links, 200,000 clicks/month → Smler Pro ($29/month)
Total Year 1 Cost with Smler: $0 + ($9 × 3) + ($29 × 6) = $201
Comparison with Branch.io: Custom pricing typically starts at $299/month minimum = $3,588
Savings: $3,387 in year one (94% cost reduction)
That's enough savings to:
Hire a freelance designer for UI improvements
Run paid acquisition campaigns on Facebook/Google
Attend a developer conference
Fund 3+ months of server hosting
Beyond Deep Linking: Smler's Complete Toolkit
While you're here for affordable deep linking, Smler includes free tools that replace other paid services:
Free Marketing Tools
QR Code Generator: Create dynamic QR codes for offline marketing (learn about QR code deep linking)
UTM Parameter Builder: Structure campaign tracking URLs correctly
Link Preview Tool: Test how your links appear on social media before sharing
These tools alone would cost $15-30/month on other platforms, but they're completely free with Smler.
Why Building Your Own Solution Costs More
Some technical founders consider building their own URL shortener to save money. Here's why that's a false economy:
Development time: 80-120 hours to build a basic shortener with deep linking (~$800-$1,200 at $10/hour). Which coul be invested developing your product
Infrastructure costs: $50-200/month for servers, databases, CDN, and SSL certificates
Maintenance: 5-10 hours/month fixing bugs, updating dependencies, and adding features
Compliance: Additional development for GDPR, TRAI, and other regulations
Our detailed analysis in Why Buying Smler is Cheaper Than Building shows you'd spend over $10,000 in the first year building what Smler offers for under $300.
Focus on your core product, not reinventing infrastructure that already exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smler really free forever?
Yes! Our free tier includes 15,000 links per month with unlimited clicks, forever. No time limits, no credit card required. When you grow beyond 15,000 links/month, paid plans start at just $9/month.
How does Smler compare to Firebase Dynamic Links?
Smler offers all the core features of Firebase Dynamic Links (deferred deep linking, platform detection, analytics) but with more transparent pricing and no shutdown risk. See our full Firebase migration guide.
Can I use my own domain on the free plan?
Absolutely! Custom domains are included even on the free tier. Set up your branded domain (like go.yourapp.com) in minutes with our custom domains guide.
What happens if I exceed the free tier limits?
We'll notify you before you hit your limit. You can upgrade to a paid plan anytime, or wait until next month when your quota resets. We never surprise you with charges.
Do you offer discounts for early-stage startups?
The free tier is our startup program—15,000 links/month is enough for most early-stage apps. For funded startups needing more, contact our support team for custom pricing.
How long does it take to integrate Smler?
Basic integration takes 30-60 minutes. Full deferred deep linking setup (iOS + Android) typically takes 2-4 hours with our step-by-step guides.
Start Building Without Breaking the Bank
Firebase's shutdown forced thousands of developers to reconsider their infrastructure choices and many discovered they were overpaying for features they didn't need.
Smler offers the most generous free tier in the market (1,000 links/month with unlimited clicks) and the lowest paid plans for startups ($9/month to start). You get enterprise-grade deep linking, custom domains, detailed analytics, and developer-friendly APIs without enterprise prices.
Stop paying hundreds or thousands per month for link management. Join thousands of indie developers and bootstrapped startups who've switched to Smler and saved over 90% on their link infrastructure costs.
Ready to get started?
🚀 Sign up for free (no credit card required)
📚 Read the documentation
💬 Contact support with questions
💰 View pricing details
Your users deserve great deep linking experiences. Your bank account deserves affordable pricing. With Smler, you get both.
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