Branch.io vs LinkShark: Which Deep Linking Platform Wins in 2026?

Choosing the right deep linking platform is crucial for your app's growth. Here's how Branch.io and LinkShark compare.

Quick Comparison

| Feature | Branch.io | LinkShark | | ---------- | ------------------- | ------------ | | Setup Time | Days/Weeks | < 30 Minutes | | Pricing | Enterprise (opaque) | Transparent | | SDK Size | ~2MB | ~200KB | | Support | Enterprise only | All tiers | | Free Tier | Limited | Generous |

Branch.io Overview

Branch.io has been a market leader in deep linking for years. They offer a comprehensive suite of tools for mobile growth.

Pros

• Comprehensive feature set: Everything you might need
• Strong attribution: Industry-standard MMP integrations
• Enterprise support: Dedicated account managers
• Established: Trusted by large brands

Cons

• Complex setup: Requires significant engineering time
• Enterprise pricing: Not transparent, often expensive
• Heavy SDK: Can increase app size significantly
• Overkill for many: Most teams don't need all features

LinkShark Overview

LinkShark is built for modern development teams who value simplicity and speed.

Pros

• Quick setup: Get running in under 30 minutes
• Transparent pricing: Know exactly what you'll pay
• Lightweight SDK: Minimal impact on app size
• Great documentation: Self-serve with confidence
• Responsive support: Help available at all tiers

Cons

• Newer platform: Less brand recognition
• Fewer enterprise features: Focused on core needs

Feature Comparison

Deep Linking

Both platforms handle deep linking well:

// Branch
branch.createDeepLink({
  channel: "email",
  campaign: "welcome",
  data: { productId: "123" },
});

// LinkShark
linkshark.createLink({
  channel: "email",
  campaign: "welcome",
  data: { productId: "123" },
});

Winner: Tie

QR Codes

| Feature | Branch | LinkShark | | --------------- | ------ | --------- | | Custom colors | ✓ | ✓ | | Logo embedding | ✓ | ✓ | | Dynamic updates | ✓ | ✓ | | Analytics | ✓ | ✓ | | API generation | ✓ | ✓ |

Winner: Tie

Analytics

Branch offers more detailed attribution, but LinkShark covers what most teams need.

Winner: Branch (for enterprise), LinkShark (for everyone else)

Pricing

| Tier | Branch | LinkShark | | ---------- | ------------- | ------------- | | Free | 10K MAU | 50K clicks/mo | | Starter | Contact sales | $29/mo | | Pro | Contact sales | $99/mo | | Enterprise | Contact sales | Contact sales |

Winner: LinkShark

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Branch.io if:

• You're an enterprise with a large budget
• You need complex attribution across many channels
• You have dedicated mobile engineering teams
• You need every possible feature

Choose LinkShark if:

• You want to ship fast
• You prefer transparent, predictable pricing
• You value simplicity over features you won't use
• You're a startup or mid-market company
• You want great support without enterprise contracts

Conclusion

Both platforms are solid choices. Branch is better for large enterprises with complex needs. LinkShark is better for teams who want to move fast without overpaying.

Try LinkShark free — see why teams are making the switch.