If you’re using Dub.co for shortening links, managing campaigns, or tracking URLs, you might be wondering if there’s a better tool out there—especially one that offers more features or more flexibility.
That’s where Linko comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll compare Linko vs Dub.co in terms of core features, pricing, use cases, and overall user experience to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Whether you’re a marketer, influencer, affiliate, or small business owner, finding the best Dub.co alternative can help you get better results without spending more money.
What is Dub.co?
Dub.co is a popular open-source link management platform that offers link shortening, branded domains, and analytics.
It’s best known for its clean design, developer-friendly approach, and ability to self-host if needed.
Key features of Dub.co:
- Custom domains and branded short links
- Advanced analytics (clicks, referrer, device type, and etc)
- Open-source version available for developers
- Uptime monitoring integration
- Custom slug support
While Dub.co is a solid choice for technical users and developers, it lacks some advanced marketing tools and customization options that modern marketers often need.
What is Linko?
Linko is a powerful link management platform built for marketers, creators, OnlyFans agencies, and businesses of all sizes.
It not only supports all the standard features like short links and QR codes, but also includes a rich set of marketing tools like CTA overlays, deep linking, UTM tags, and bio pages with 38+ widgets.
Key features of Linko:
- Link scheduling and expiration
- QR code generation (13 types, including WiFi, vCard, SMS, etc.)
- Bulk URL shortening and QR generation
- Campaign and channel tracking
- Bio page editor with 38 widgets and 33 social platform integrations
- Link cloaking, CTA overlays, splash pages
- A/B testing, UTM management, IP targeting
- Free and paid plans with flexible limits
Linko is ideal for anyone who wants a full-featured URL shortener with analytics and marketing automation.
Feature comparison: Linko vs Dub.co
Let’s look at how Linko stacks up against Dub.co across key features.
1. Link shortening and custom domains
Both platforms support branded domains and custom slugs. Dub.co’s setup may be easier for developers, especially if you prefer self-hosting.
But Linko offers more user-friendly options, especially for non-technical users.
✅ Winner: Linko for ease of use and better UI
⚙️ Runner-up: Dub.co for developer flexibility
2. Analytics and tracking
Both link shorteners provides advanced link analytics like total clicks, devices, countries, browsers, and referrers.
✅ Winner: Both Linko and Dub.co for advanced marketing analytics
3. QR code generator
Dub.co does not offer native QR code generation tool. You’ll need third-party tools.
Linko includes:
- QR code generator tool with 13 QR types
- Custom colors and branding
- Download in PNG, SVG, PDF, and WEBP formats
- Bulk QR code creation
✅ Winner: Linko, no contest
4. Marketing tools
Here’s where Linko really shines. It includes built-in tools like:
- CTA overlays (popups over destination links)
- Custom splash pages
- Link cloaking
- Deep linking for app redirection
- Link scheduling and expiration
- Hide referrer option
- Bio page sharing with widgets
- CTA RSS feed
Dub.co lacks most of these.
✅ Winner: Linko, especially for marketers and creators
5. User interface and experience
- Dub.co has a clean, minimalist interface suited for developers and users who want a no-frills environment.
- Linko alsos offers a modern dashboard with charts, filters, and stats. It’s built for ease of use with help guides and support pop-ups.
✅ Winner: Both Linko and Dub.co, especially for beginners and business users
Pricing comparison
Dub.co pricing:
- Free self-hosted version (for tech-savvy users)
- Free plan with 25 link limit.
- Hosted cloud plans start from ~$30/month
But if you’re not a tech guy to self-host, Dub’s value becomes limited.
Linko pricing:
- Free plan with 50 link limits, QR codes, and basic bio page
- Paid plans start from as low as $9/month
- Unlimited bulk shortening, QR codes, and advanced tracking on higher tiers
✅ Winner: Linko for more generous free plan and scalable options
Use cases comparison
Here’s how Linko and Dub.co compare based on specific user needs.
Affiliate marketers
- Linko allows deep linking, link cloaking, hide referrer, campaign tracking, and splash pages.
- Dub.co also provides link cloaking, password protection, and link attribution.
✅ Best for affiliate marketers: Linko
Social media influencers
- Linko includes a full-featured bio page editor with widgets and social links.
- Dub.co does not offer bio tools or social widgets.
✅ Best for influencers: Linko
Businesses and agencies
- Linko supports team accounts, branded links, detailed reports, API access, and client portal tools.
- Dub.co supports custom domains and has API access but lacks features like QR, bulk tools, or team collaboration options.
✅ Best for businesses and agencies: Linko
Developers and tinkerers
- Dub.co wins here with its open-source version and developer-first design.
- You can self-host, fork the code, and extend it to your liking.
✅ Best for developers: Dub.co
Summary so far
Linko emerges as the best Dub.co alternative for most users.
It offers a broader set of tools, especially for marketers, influencers, and small businesses that need more than just link shortening.
Here’s a quick rundown of where each platform stands:
| Feature | Linko | Dub.co |
|---|---|---|
| Custom domains | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| QR code generation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| UTM tracking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Campaign analytics | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| A/B testing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Deep linking | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Link cloaking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| CTA overlays | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Developer customization | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Bio page with widgets | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Self-hosting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Free plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Performance and speed: which link shortener is faster?
In link shortening, speed matters—especially when links are shared on fast-moving platforms like Twitter or WhatsApp.
The time it takes to redirect a user from your short URL to the final destination can impact bounce rates and user experience.
Dub.co:
Dub.co’s performance largely depends on how it’s hosted. If you’re self-hosting, you’ll need to optimize your server, CDN, and caching manually.
On their cloud version, the speed is generally acceptable and is highly optimized for global performance.
Linko:
Linko also uses a AWS Global Accelerator. That means links redirect instantly no matter where the click is coming from—Asia, Europe, or the US.
It’s designed to handle high traffic with low latency and ensures fast and reliable redirects.
✅ Winner: Linko, especially for global performance and reliability.
Security and privacy: which platform protects your data?
Security is a growing concern, especially if you’re using shortened links for marketing campaigns, tracking performance, or sharing sensitive content.
Linko and Dub both offers multiple security features out of the box:
- HTTPS enforced on all links
- Password-protected links
- Spam and phishing detection
- Expiration and link deactivation options
- Advanced IP targeting and device filters
- GDPR and privacy compliance baked into all plans
Customer support and onboarding: which tool supports users better?
Dub.co:
Support for Dub.co is primarily community-driven. If you’re self-hosting, you’ll rely on GitHub issues, community forums, or digging through docs.
Their hosted service offers support, but no live chat.
Linko:
Linko comes with:
- Live chat support
- Email assistance
- Step-by-step onboarding for new users
- A help center with articles covering every feature
✅ Winner: Linko, especially for first-time users and small teams who need guidance and fast answers.
Why Linko is the best Dub.co alternative for 2025
If you’re asking, “What’s the best Dub.co alternative?” — Linko checks nearly every box.
Whether you care about branding, bio links, bulk tools, analytics, or user-friendliness, Linko offers more functionality in a cleaner, easier-to-use platform.
Here’s where Linko takes the lead:
- More features per dollar
- Better support for marketers and creators
- Scalable plans and generous free tier
- Advanced tracking and campaign performance tools
- Modern UI, faster redirects, and built-in security
Dub.co is still a solid tool for developers or those who want a DIY approach, but for 90% of users looking for power and simplicity combined, Linko is the smarter choice.
Final verdict
Linko is the clear winner for users who want more than basic link shortening.
It combines advanced features like QR code generation, bio page editing, CTA overlays, and UTM tracking—all under one roof.
Whether you’re an influencer, marketer, startup, or solo creator, Linko helps you get more out of every link you share.
If you’ve outgrown the simplicity of Dub.co or want something more marketing-focused, Linko is the best Dub.co alternative in 2025—hands down.
FAQs about Linko vs Dub.co
Is Linko free to use?
Yes. Linko offers a free plan with up to 50 shortened links, full access to the QR generator, and bio page editor. Perfect for small projects or testing the platform.
Can I migrate from Dub.co to Linko?
Yes. While Linko does not currently offer an auto-migration tool, you can export your short links (if available from Dub.co) and manually import them or recreate them in Linko. A CSV bulk upload feature makes this easy.
Does Linko support custom domains?
Yes. You can connect your own domain for branded short URLs in just a few clicks—no coding required.
Which platform is better for agencies?
Linko is ideal for agencies due to:
Client portal features
Team collaboration tools
Advanced analytics
White-label options (on request)
Dub.co lacks built-in client management features.
Can I generate QR codes with Dub.co?
Yes, Dub.co have simi-advanced QR code generation. While Linko provides built-in bulk QR generation with branding and customization options.
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