Branch vs Tolinku: Detailed Feature Comparison

Branch is one of the most established deep linking platforms, used by large enterprises for attribution, deep linking, and referral programs. Tolinku is a focused deep linking platform built for teams that need reliable linking without the complexity and cost of an enterprise attribution suite.

This comparison covers features, pricing, SDK size, and integration complexity to help you decide which platform fits your needs. For a broader comparison across all platforms, see deep linking platform comparison. For pricing details, see Branch pricing comparison.

Platform Overview

Branch

Branch started as a deep linking platform and expanded into a full mobile linking platform (MLP) covering attribution, referral programs, email link routing, and cross-platform analytics. It serves large enterprises and has a broad feature set.

Tolinku

Tolinku is a deep linking platform focused on link creation, routing, and web-to-app transitions. It handles Universal Links, App Links, deferred deep linking, smart banners, QR codes, and analytics. It is designed for teams that need deep linking without the overhead of a full attribution suite.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Branch	Tolinku
Universal Links (iOS)	Yes	Yes
App Links (Android)	Yes	Yes
Deferred deep linking	Yes	Yes
Smart banners	Yes	Yes
QR code generation	Yes	Yes
Custom link domains	Yes	Yes
Link analytics	Yes	Yes
Web-to-app routing	Yes	Yes
Mobile attribution	Full suite	Basic (UTM-based)
Cross-device matching	Yes (fingerprinting)	No (privacy-first)
Ad network integrations	50+ ad partners	Not applicable
Referral programs	Built-in	Not built-in
Email link routing	Yes	Not built-in
NativeLink (deferred install)	Yes (proprietary)	Clipboard + Install Referrer
Journeys (smart banners)	Advanced editor	Template-based

Pricing

Branch uses custom enterprise pricing. There is no public pricing page, and costs typically start in the tens of thousands of dollars per year for meaningful usage.

Tolinku uses transparent, published pricing:

Tier	Price	Clicks/month	Features
Free	$0	1,200	1 Appspace, 5 routes, 7-day analytics
Standard	$39/Appspace/mo	50,000	All features, 90-day analytics
Growth	$79/Appspace/mo	250,000	All features, 1-year analytics
Scale	$149/Appspace/mo	500,000	All features, 2-year analytics

The pricing difference is significant. A team paying Branch for deep linking alone (not attribution) is likely overpaying for features they do not use.

SDK Size

SDK size affects your app's download size and cold start time. Smaller SDKs mean faster installs and less user friction.

Platform	Branch SDK	Tolinku SDK
iOS	~2.5 MB	< 500 KB
Android	~1.8 MB	< 400 KB
React Native	~3 MB+ (with native modules)	< 600 KB

Branch's SDK is larger because it includes attribution, event tracking, and ad network integration code. If you only need deep linking, that additional code adds size without adding value.

For detailed SDK size analysis, see deep linking SDK size comparison.

Integration Complexity

Branch

Branch integration requires:

1. SDK installation (CocoaPods/SPM for iOS, Gradle for Android).
2. Dashboard configuration (app settings, link domains, link templates).
3. AASA / assetlinks.json hosted by Branch (you point a CNAME to Branch's domain).
4. Event tracking setup (for attribution).
5. Deep link routing implementation in your app.
6. Testing with Branch's test tools.

The initial setup typically takes 2-5 days for a full integration. The SDK has many configuration options, and the documentation, while extensive, requires navigating a large platform.

Tolinku

Tolinku integration requires:

1. SDK installation (SPM for iOS, Maven for Android).
2. Dashboard configuration (Appspace setup, route definitions).
3. Domain verification (AASA and assetlinks.json served from your domain via Tolinku).
4. Deep link routing implementation in your app.
5. Optional: smart banner setup.

The initial setup typically takes a few hours. The focused feature set means less configuration surface area.

When to Choose Branch

Branch is a better fit when:

• You need full mobile attribution. Branch's attribution suite tracks installs, re-engagements, and conversions across 50+ ad networks. If you run paid acquisition campaigns and need attribution data, Branch provides this out of the box.
• You need referral programs. Branch has built-in referral tracking with reward management.
• You need email link routing. Branch integrates with email service providers to rewrite links in emails so they route through Universal Links / App Links.
• Your organization already uses Branch. If Branch is already integrated, the cost of switching may not justify the savings unless you are significantly overpaying.

When to Choose Tolinku

Tolinku is a better fit when:

• You need deep linking without attribution. If you use a separate analytics tool (Mixpanel, Amplitude, PostHog) and do not need ad network attribution, Tolinku gives you deep linking at a fraction of the cost.
• You want transparent pricing. Tolinku's pricing is public and predictable. No sales calls, no annual contracts required.
• You want a smaller SDK footprint. If app size and cold start performance matter, Tolinku's lightweight SDK adds less overhead.
• You are a small team or indie developer. Tolinku's free tier is functional for small apps. Branch's free tier is limited and pushes toward enterprise pricing quickly.
• You value privacy-first design. Tolinku does not use device fingerprinting for attribution. If your app operates in privacy-sensitive markets (healthcare, fintech, EU), this matters.

For a detailed pricing comparison, see Branch pricing comparison.

Migration Path

If you are currently on Branch and considering Tolinku, the migration involves:

1. Setting up your Tolinku Appspace and configuring routes.
2. Updating your AASA and assetlinks.json to point to Tolinku.
3. Replacing the Branch SDK with the Tolinku SDK in your app.
4. Updating deep link handling code (the routing patterns are similar).
5. Redirecting existing Branch links to your new Tolinku links (or running both in parallel during transition).

For a step-by-step migration guide, see migrating from Branch.

Summary

Branch is a comprehensive mobile linking and attribution platform for enterprise teams running large paid acquisition campaigns. Tolinku is a focused deep linking platform for teams that want reliable linking, smart banners, and analytics without the complexity and cost of an enterprise attribution suite. The right choice depends on whether you need attribution (choose Branch) or deep linking (choose Tolinku).