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Deep Linking
12 min read
March 7, 2025

Branch vs AppsFlyer vs Adjust: Deep Linking Comparison

Choose the right deep linking platform for your app. Compare Branch, AppsFlyer, and Adjust across pricing, SDK support, deferred deep linking capabilities, attribution, privacy, and ease of setup. Discover why Redirectly offers a lightweight alternative.

Platform Overview

Branch

Mobile measurement and deep linking platform focused on app growth and user acquisition.

  • Founded: 2011
  • HQ: Palo Alto, CA
  • Primary: Growth Attribution
  • Best for: Startups, App Growth

AppsFlyer

Comprehensive mobile marketing platform with deep linking, attribution, and analytics.

  • Founded: 2011
  • HQ: Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Primary: Attribution + Analytics
  • Best for: Enterprise Apps

Adjust

Mobile measurement platform with privacy-first approach and flexible deep linking.

  • Founded: 2012
  • HQ: Berlin, Germany
  • Primary: Privacy-First Analytics
  • Best for: EU/Privacy-Conscious Apps

Feature Comparison Table

FeatureBranchAppsFlyerAdjustRedirectly
Basic Deep Linking
Deferred Deep Linking
Universal Links/App Links
Flutter SDK
React Native SDK
Attribution Tracking
Event Analytics
Privacy-First
No Analytics Bloat
Open Source Option

Pricing Analysis

Branch

  • Free Tier: Up to 10,000 clicks/month
  • Pro: Custom pricing based on volume
  • Enterprise: Dedicated support + custom features
  • Typical cost: $500-$5,000+/month depending on scale

AppsFlyer

  • Starter: Limited analytics, $0-500/month
  • Growth: Enhanced features, $500-2,000/month
  • Enterprise: Full platform, custom pricing
  • Typical cost: $1,000-$10,000+/month for active apps

Adjust

  • Free: Basic analytics
  • Growth: Advanced features, $250-1,000/month
  • Enterprise: Custom implementation
  • Typical cost: $500-$5,000+/month for enterprise

Redirectly Pricing

  • Free Plan: Full deep linking functionality, no limits
  • Pay-as-you-grow: Simple, transparent pricing
  • No analytics overhead: Only pay for what you need
  • Focus: Deep linking only (no bloat). Starts at $0/month

SDK Support: Flutter & React Native

Flutter SDK

Branch✓ Complete
AppsFlyer✓ Complete
Adjust✓ Complete
Redirectly✓ Complete

React Native SDK

Branch✓ Complete
AppsFlyer✓ Complete
Adjust✓ Complete
Redirectly✓ Complete

Note: All major platforms support both Flutter and React Native. The difference is in SDK complexity, maintenance frequency, and documentation quality.

Deferred Deep Linking Capabilities

How They Compare

Branch

Industry leader in deferred deep linking. Stores click data and delivers on first app open. Excellent for user acquisition campaigns.

AppsFlyer

Robust deferred deep linking tied to attribution. Good for campaigns but requires analytics integration.

Adjust

Privacy-focused deferred deep linking. Works without full attribution tracking. Good balance for privacy-conscious apps.

Redirectly

Lightweight deferred deep linking without analytics overhead. Perfect for apps that only need routing, not attribution.

Attribution & Analytics Features

Platform Strengths

Branch

  • Probabilistic + deterministic attribution
  • Real-time analytics dashboards
  • Campaign ROI tracking
  • Cohort analysis

AppsFlyer

  • Most comprehensive analytics
  • Advanced attribution modeling
  • Custom event tracking
  • LTV predictions

Adjust

  • Privacy-preserving attribution
  • SKAdNetwork integration
  • User data protection
  • GDPR-friendly analytics

Privacy & Compliance Considerations

GDPR & Data Privacy

Branch & AppsFlyer

GDPR compliant but collect extensive user data. Requires explicit consent in EU.

Adjust

Privacy-first approach. Fewer tracking requirements. Better for EU-first products.

Redirectly

Minimal data collection. No user tracking. Excellent for privacy-focused apps.

iOS 14+ Tracking Changes

All platforms have adapted to Apple's privacy changes. The real difference:

  • Branch: Uses SKAdNetwork + fingerprinting
  • AppsFlyer: Comprehensive SKAdNetwork support
  • Adjust: Privacy-first SKAdNetwork approach
  • Redirectly: No tracking needed for deep linking

Redirectly: A Lightweight Alternative

When to Choose Redirectly

If your primary need is deep linking without the overhead of attribution and analytics platforms, Redirectly is an excellent choice.

  • Cost-Effective: Free deep linking foundation, no hidden analytics costs
  • Privacy First: Minimal data collection, user-focused design
  • Simple Integration: Focused API for deep linking only
  • No Lock-in: Easy to implement and remove if needed
  • Full SDK Support: Complete Flutter and React Native implementations

Comparison Summary

Choose Branch or AppsFlyer if: You need comprehensive attribution, detailed user journey tracking, and don't mind the complexity and cost of a full marketing platform.

Choose Adjust if: Privacy compliance is critical, you're EU-focused, and you want attribution without excessive tracking.

Choose Redirectly if: You only need reliable deep linking, want to minimize costs, prefer simplicity, and plan to use separate analytics tools.

Key Takeaways

  • 1
    Branch excels at deferred deep linking and app growth campaigns
  • 2
    AppsFlyer offers the most comprehensive analytics but at enterprise pricing
  • 3
    Adjust is best for privacy-focused apps and EU compliance
  • 4
    Redirectly provides lightweight deep linking without analytics overhead
  • 5
    All platforms support Flutter and React Native equally well

Ready to Simplify Your Deep Linking?

If you're looking for a lightweight, privacy-first deep linking solution without the overhead of attribution platforms, Redirectly is ready to help. Get started with our free plan today.

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