Google's decision to shut down Firebase Dynamic Links on August 25th, 2025 has sent thousands of app developers and founders looking for alternatives. 

The problem? Most replacements bundle full MMP suites: attribution, fraud detection, analytics – at enterprise prices. You pay $10K+/month for features you skip. Not every team needs that. Sometimes, affordable deep linking is enough to drive users straight to in-app content, boosting retention without bloat.

While competitors bundle everything together and charge accordingly, Airbridge took a different path: give developers exactly what they need, when they need it, at a price that makes sense.

What Is Deep linking and Why Pricing Matters Now?

A Deep Link is a specific URL that bypasses a mobile website or app store to send users directly to a designated location inside an app. 

Deeplinks are used to bring users directly to specific in-app locations, saving users the time and energy of seeing an ad and then locating a particular page themselves – significantly improving the user experience by reducing friction. 

But deep linking itself isn’t complex anymore. Pricing is. It even hits harder in 2026.

With the sunsetting of free tools like Firebase Dynamic Links, many providers are capitalizing on the urgency by forcing developers into expensive, "all-in-one" attribution contracts. 

App installs cost $2-5 each now. User acquisition budgets shrink as iOS privacy rules tighten. Teams need deep linking to maximize every install. Yet many solutions bundle it into bloated "enterprise" plans and charge thousands dollars monthly for "basic" deep linking. Startups and mid-tier teams get locked out.

The "All-in-One" Trap Most MMPs Won't Talk About

A common mistake growth teams make is assuming bundled pricing will “pay off later.” What usually happens instead:

• Deeplinks go live, but attribution features remain unused
• Engineering time is spent integrating systems that aren’t critical
• Budget is consumed before performance is validated

Here's what the mobile measurement industry doesn't want you to know: most app developers and founders don't need attribution tracking, fraud detection, and advanced analytics when they're just starting out. They need deeplinks that work reliably without breaking the bank.

Some solutions have built their business models around forcing you into comprehensive plans that include features you may never use. Reality? You buy the full suite, use 20%, pay for 100%.

Need deep linking for your referral program? That'll be $500+ per month for the "starter" plan that includes attribution tracking, audience building, and a dozen other features collecting dust in your dashboard.

The Airbridge DeepLink Plan flips this model on its head. Instead of bundling everything together, we created a focused solution for developers who know exactly what they need: reliable deep linking with advanced capabilities.

What You Get with the Airbridge DeepLink Plan (Without Enterprise Pricing)

The Airbridge DeepLink Plan is designed to provide infrastructure for apps that have outgrown basic tools but aren't ready for a full-scale attribution contract. Instead of locking features behind "Enterprise-only" tiers, this plan focuses on the technical essentials required to maintain a seamless user experience. Below is what makes Airbridge's approach different:

Free Usage That Matters

Most "free" deep linking solutions come with catches – limited clicks, restricted features, or aggressive upgrade prompts after 30 days. 

Airbridge's deeplink plan is free below 10,000 Monthly Active Users (MAU). That's not a 14-day trial or a limited feature set – it's full access to their entire deep linking platform.

For context, 10K MAU means your app can have 10,000 different users opening it each month before you pay anything. For most early-stage apps and startups, that's months or even years of free usage.

Pay-As-You-Grow Pricing That Actually Makes Sense

Once you exceed 10K MAU, you're not suddenly hit with a massive monthly fee. The pricing scales with your growth, and crucially, you're charged based on actual app usage – not vanity metrics like link clicks or the number of deep links you create.

This matters because other platforms often charge per click or per link generated, which can rack up costs quickly if you're running referral campaigns or have an active user base sharing links. With Airbridge, a viral campaign that generates thousands of clicks doesn't suddenly inflate your bill.

Enterprise Features Included by Default

Despite being positioned as an affordable alternative, the Airbridge deeplink plan doesn't skimp on advanced capabilities:

• Deferred Deep Linking: Users who don't have your app installed can click a link, go through the App Store installation process, and still land on the intended page when they first open your app. This single feature can dramatically improve conversion rates for referral and marketing campaigns.‍
• DeepLink Generation API: Perfect for building referral systems where users can dynamically generate links to specific content or actions within your app. No need to pre-create links or manage them manually.‍
• Bulk Link Generator: Use Google Sheets to generate hundreds of deeplinks at once. Ideal for e-commerce apps that need links for every product or content apps creating campaign-specific links.‍
• Real-Time Analytics: Track clicks, installs, and deeplink opens through your links with detailed reporting that actually helps you optimize campaigns.

Migrating from Firebase Dynamic Links? Here’s the Easiest Path

Migrating from Firebase Dynamic Links doesn’t require re-architecting your app or rebuilding every link from scratch. 

Airbridge provides direct replacement functionality for all core Firebase Dynamic Links use cases, including custom URL schemes, Universal Links (iOS), and App Links (Android). 

In practice, the Airbridge SDK automatically selects the optimal deeplink method based on the user’s device and OS. This means existing users experience the same seamless routing behavior: install, open, or re-engagement – without added friction or edge-case handling.

No-code migration, not an engineering project

One of the biggest migration risks teams underestimate is operational overhead. Recreating hundreds or thousands of Firebase links manually slows teams down and increases the chance of errors.

To avoid this, Airbridge offers a No-Code Deepink Migration toolset that allows teams to:

• Import existing Firebase Dynamic Links in bulk
• Automatically convert them into Airbridge tracking links
• Preserve routing logic and parameters without manual rewriting

Learn more about No-Code DeeplLink Migration From Firebase to Airbridge here.

Join Over 1,000 Apps: Start Deep Linking in Minutes, Not Sales Meetings

Over 1,000 apps, from indie hits to scale-ups, run Airbridge DeepLink daily. No lengthy demos. Sign up, generate links, deploy. And live in minutes. Here's where Airbridge really shines compared to enterprise solutions:

Built for teams that move fast

From an execution standpoint, the Airbridge DeepLink Plan removes the usual friction points:

• No mandatory sales calls to get started
• No enterprise contracts blocking setup
• No feature gating for core deep link functionality

Most teams can create their first deeplink, test routing, and ship to production in minutes.

Deep linking without organizational drag

A common bottleneck in app teams isn’t engineering complexity. It’s internal approval cycles tied to expensive tooling.

By separating deep linking from enterprise MMP bundles, Airbridge allows:

• Growth teams to move independently
• Developers to integrate once, not repeatedly
• Product teams to validate impact before scaling spend

This structure is especially effective for startups, scale-ups, and teams migrating from Firebase Dynamic Links under real deadlines.

Designed to scale when you do

Starting small doesn’t mean hitting limits later.

As traffic grows, deeplink usage scales seamlessly without forcing a platform switch or renegotiation. The same infrastructure that supports early-stage apps also supports high-volume production traffic.

That consistency is what lets teams focus on performance, not tooling decisions.

Learn more about 5 types of teams that need Airbridge DeepLinks here.

Airbridge's Deeplink Plan FAQs

Q1. How does Airbridge's pricing compare to Firebase Dynamic Links?

We offer the same core functionality as Firebase Dynamic Links, plus advanced capabilities. This includes deferred deep linking for iOS, custom domain settings, a programmatic API for link creation, and web-to-app functionality (with our Web SDK). These powerful features are provided free under 10K MAU and then scale affordably based on your app's actual usage, not arbitrary limits.

Q2. Can I upgrade to the full MMP later if I need attribution tracking?

Yes, seamlessly. Airbridge's Growth Plan includes all deep linking features plus full attribution capabilities. Since you're already using their platform, upgrading doesn't require new SDK integration or link migration – just talk with our team and we can make upon your signing the up tier.

Q3. What happens to my existing Firebase Dynamic Links when I migrate?

Airbridge provides migration tools and maintains functionality. Their platform supports the same link formats and behaviors as Firebase Dynamic Links, so your existing links continue working. They also provide step-by-step migration guides and video tutorials specifically for Firebase users.

Q4. Is there a limit on how many deeplinks I can create?

No artificial limits on link creation. Unlike platforms that charge per link or impose creation limits, Airbridge allows unlimited deeplink generation. You pay based on Monthly Active Users, not how actively you use the platform's features.

Q5. Do I need technical expertise to implement Airbridge's deep linking?

Minimal technical setup required. Airbridge provides SDKs for all major platforms with clear documentation. Most implementations take under an hour, and their self-service model means you can test everything before committing to paid usage. Please check our SDK documentation for more details. 

Q6. Can I use my own domain for branded links?

Yes, custom domain support is included. You can use your own branded domain instead of the default abr.ge links, which improves click-through rates and maintains brand consistency across your campaigns.

Q7. What kind of analytics and reporting do I get with the DeepLink Plan?

Real-time reporting with actionable insights. The DeepLink Plan includes Actuals Report and Trend Report, giving you click tracking, conversion data, and user journey analysis to optimize your campaigns without paying for attribution features you don't need.

Ready to Start Deep Linking the Smart Way?

With over 1,000 apps already benefiting from this approach, the question isn't whether Airbridge's focused strategy works – it's whether you're ready to stop overpaying for features you don't need. 

Want to see how Airbridge can transform your mobile marketing measurement? Check pricing or request a demo to see accurate attribution and deep linking in action. 

Start with their free tier and experience the difference of a platform that grows with your needs instead of overwhelming them.

👉 Explore how real teams are scaling deep linking with Airbridge:

How Dabang cut deeplink management time by 90% with Airbridge 

How Fizz achieves ZERO performance loss with Airbridge API deeplinks