Flinku vs Branch: Firebase Dynamic Links Replacement Compared
Flinku and Branch.io both provide deferred deep linking for mobile apps — routing a new user to the right in-app screen after they install from an ad, share, or referral link. The core difference is pricing model and transparency: Flinku publishes flat monthly pricing with no MAU billing; Branch requires a sales call and does not publish rates.
Flinku vs Branch at a glance
| Flinku | Branch.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | Yes — $0 / $12 / $39 per month | No — contact sales |
| Billing model | Flat monthly, no MAU pricing | MAU-based (commonly cited from ~$299/mo for entry tier) |
| Free plan | Yes — 3 projects, 300 links/mo, 10k clicks/mo | Limited free trial, not an ongoing free tier |
| Deferred deep linking | Yes (iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, Unity, Capacitor) | Yes |
| Password-protected links | Yes | No |
| Scheduled links | Yes | No |
| Link health monitor | Yes | No |
| Smart fallback chain | Yes | No |
| Open source SDKs | Yes, all platforms | No |
| Scale | Early stage, indie-focused | ~100,000 apps, 3.5B users |
Bottom line: Branch has more scale and a longer track record; Flinku has more indie-specific features (password protection, scheduling, health monitoring) at a fraction of the cost, with pricing you can see before you sign up.
Is Flinku a good Branch alternative?
Flinku is a strong Branch alternative for indie developers and small teams who want flat, published pricing instead of a sales-negotiated MAU contract. Both handle deferred deep linking and platform-standard iOS Universal Links / Android App Links. Branch remains the better fit for large enterprises needing dedicated account management at scale.
How much does Branch cost compared to Flinku?
Branch does not publish pricing — every quote comes from a sales conversation and is typically MAU-based, with $299/month commonly cited as an entry-level starting point in developer discussions. Flinku publishes three fixed tiers: Free ($0), Indie ($12/month), and Studio ($39/month), with no usage-based MAU billing at any tier. See the live price list at pricing.md.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Flinku cheaper than Branch?
- Yes. Flinku's paid plans start at $12/month and top out at $39/month with no MAU billing. Branch does not publish pricing, but developer reports commonly cite entry-level MAU-based contracts starting around $299/month.
- Does Flinku support the same platforms as Branch?
- Both support iOS, Android, and cross-platform deferred deep linking. Flinku ships open source SDKs for Flutter, iOS (Swift), Android (Kotlin), React Native, Unity, and Capacitor. Branch supports similar platform coverage through its closed-source SDKs.
- Which is better for an indie developer or small team?
- Flinku is built specifically for indie developers and small teams — flat pricing, a permanent free tier, and features like scheduled links and link health monitoring that Branch doesn't offer. Branch is generally a better fit for larger organizations that need dedicated account support and are comfortable with sales-negotiated pricing.
- Can I migrate from Branch to Flinku?
- Flinku has a Firebase Dynamic Links migration tool built in. If you're moving from Branch specifically, the process is manual — export your link data from Branch and recreate the equivalent projects and links in Flinku — but the underlying concepts map directly.
Also see Branch alternative for indie developers and the machine-readable comparison at flinku-vs-branch.md.