Branch Alternative for Indie Developers and Small Teams
Branch.io is the enterprise default for mobile deep linking and attribution. Many teams still look for a Branch alternative when MAU pricing, SDK size, and migration lock in stop fitting an indie roadmap. Flinku is that alternative for deferred deep linking and referrals, with flat pricing and no per MAU fees. It is not a full enterprise attribution suite.
Why teams look for a Branch alternative
Branch free tier is capped at 10,000 MAU with basic deep linking only. Paid plans start around $199 per month with custom MAU based pricing that scales with user count. Exceeding the free MAU cap triggers overage pricing. Growth that should feel like a win can turn into a billing cliff.
Branch's iOS SDK adds roughly 1 to 2 MB to the binary. For apps that watch download size and cold start carefully, that footprint matters. Branch also uses a proprietary link format that adds migration cost when you leave later.
Those three pressures, the MAU pricing cliff, SDK size, and migration lock in, are why indie developers and small teams search for a Branch.io alternative that covers deep linking without enterprise packaging.
Flinku as the Branch alternative
Flinku is built for indie developers and small teams, not for enterprise media buying desks. You get deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, Android App Links, and referral tracking on every plan including free. Pricing is flat at $12, $24, and $39 monthly. Annual billing is priced at ten times monthly so two months are free. There is no per MAU pricing ever.
SDKs are open source for Flutter, iOS, Android, React Native, Capacitor, and Unity. That is the honest pitch: production deep linking and referrals without MAU surprises, not Branch's full paid acquisition attribution stack.
For a wider roundup of tools, see Branch.io alternatives for indie developers.
Flinku vs Branch: detailed comparison
| Feature | Branch.io | Flinku |
|---|---|---|
| Deep linking | Yes, enterprise focused | Yes, Universal Links and App Links |
| Deferred deep linking | Yes | Yes, all plans including free |
| Referral tracking | Part of broader attribution product | Free on every plan including free |
| Pricing model | Free to 10,000 MAU basic only; paid from about $199/mo; MAU based; overages after free cap | Flat $12 / $24 / $39 monthly; annual two months free; no per MAU pricing |
| SDK footprint | iOS SDK roughly 1 to 2 MB | Open source SDKs for Flutter, iOS, Android, React Native, Capacitor, Unity |
| Link format | Proprietary format; higher migration cost later | Project short links on your Flinku host or custom domain |
| Enterprise attribution suite | Full suite for paid acquisition | Not offered; deep linking and referrals focus |
Who should switch and who should stay on Branch
Switch to Flinku if you are an indie developer or small team that needs deferred deep linking, Universal Links, App Links, and referral tracking, and you want flat pricing that does not scale with MAU. Flinku fits product links, invites, and organic growth workflows.
Stay on Branch if your app is at millions of MAU and you run heavy multi network paid acquisition. Branch is the better choice when you need its full enterprise attribution suite. Flinku does not claim to replace that surface area.
Migration notes
Plan for Branch's proprietary link format. Existing Branch links will not magically become Flinku links. Budget time to recreate high value destinations, update in app SDK calls, and roll out new short URLs in campaigns and store listings. Universal Links and App Links still need your team ID, bundle ID, package name, and signing fingerprints configured in the Flinku project.
A practical path: keep Branch live for old campaigns while you ship Flinku for new links, then retire Branch once traffic moves. Validate deferred matching on a real device install before you cut over marketing spend.
Start with Flinku
Create a free project, add your iOS and Android identifiers, install an SDK, and call match on cold start. No sales call required.
Start free. No credit card required →Comparing more than Branch alone? Read the Branch.io alternatives guide for indie developers.