Stats
We may earn commissions from some links.We may earn commissions from links to support our work. Learn more.
Get more AI tool alerts:
About Dub
You're posting links everywhere. Twitter, LinkedIn, newsletters, ads. But you have no idea which ones are actually driving revenue. Or which partner sent you paying customers instead of tire-kickers. It's a black hole.
Dub fixes this. It's a link attribution platform that combines short links, conversion tracking, and affiliate program management. Companies like Vercel, Perplexity, and Twilio use it to understand exactly how their marketing drives revenue. Not just clicks. Revenue.
Turn your links into revenue with Dub's free plan.
What is Dub?
At its core, it's a replacement for Bitly that actually cares about conversions.
Dub creates branded short links (like hypertools.to/dub or yourbrand.link/promo), tracks every click in real-time, and connects those clicks to actual customer conversions. You can see which campaigns drove signups, which partners generated revenue, and which links flopped completely. It also includes a full affiliate program platform, so you can manage partners, set commission structures, and automate payouts without bolting together 3 different tools.
The interface is minimal. Fast. Doesn't feel like software from 2015. Everything lives in one dashboard instead of forcing you to tab between your link shortener, your analytics tool, and your affiliate software.
Who is Dub For?
This isn't for people who share 5 links per month. It's for:
- SaaS companies running partner programs who need to track which affiliates are sending qualified leads vs. junk traffic. If you're paying out $50K+ annually in commissions, you need attribution that actually works.
- Marketing teams managing hundreds of campaign links across paid ads, social media, and email. If you're creating 100+ new links monthly and need to know which channels convert, Dub makes sense.
- Content creators with monetized audiences who promote products through affiliate links and want branded URLs instead of ugly Amazon affiliate strings.
- Agencies managing client campaigns who need client-specific dashboards, role-based access, and white-label reporting.
Skip this if you share occasional links and don't care about conversion data. Just use a free link shortener. You don't need this level of tracking.
Dub Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attribution that connects clicks to revenue: Not just click tracking. Dub's conversion tracking shows which links generated signups, purchases, and actual customer value. | Pricing jumps quickly: Free tier is limited to 1,000 tracked clicks per month. If you're driving real traffic, you'll hit Pro ($25/month) or Business ($75/month) fast. |
| Built-in affiliate program management: Dub Partners handles partner onboarding, commission tracking, and automated payouts without adding another tool to your stack. | Learning curve for advanced features: Conversion tracking and event webhooks require technical setup. Not plug-and-play for non-technical teams. |
| Beautiful, fast interface: The dashboard loads instantly and doesn't feel bloated. Link creation takes seconds, not minutes of clicking through menus. | Overkill for simple link sharing: If you just need basic short links without analytics depth, you're paying for features you won't use. |
| Advanced link features at scale: Includes A/B testing, deep links, link folders, custom domains, and role-based access for teams. | Limited analytics retention on lower tiers: Pro plan only keeps data for 1 year. If you need historical analysis beyond that, you're looking at Business tier or higher. |
The tradeoff is clear. Dub is expensive compared to free tools, but it replaces 2-3 separate products. If you're serious about attribution and run affiliate programs, the consolidation justifies the cost. If you're just shortening links for social media, it's way too much.
Dub Features: Short Links, Conversion Analytics & Partner Management
Short Link Creation and Management
Dub creates branded short links with your own custom domain or their free .link domain. You can organize links into folders, which matters when you're managing 500+ campaign URLs. Link creation includes URL parameters, device targeting, and geo-targeting. You set expiration dates or password protection if needed.
The link dashboard shows all your URLs with real-time click counts. Search and filter actually work. If you've used Bitly's clunky interface, this feels like stepping into 2025.
Conversion Tracking and Attribution
This separates Dub from basic link shorteners. Install their tracking script and Dub connects link clicks to conversions. You see which specific short link led to a signup or purchase. The attribution engine tracks the customer journey, not just the last click.
The analytics show click-through rates, conversion rates by campaign, and revenue generated per link. You can create custom conversion events through webhooks. This level of detail matters when you're spending $10K monthly on ads and need to know what's working.
Advanced Link Features and A/B Testing
Create multiple destination URLs for one short link and split traffic between them. This is actual A/B testing, not just vanity metrics. You can test landing page variants and see which converts better based on real signup data.
Deep links send mobile users to your app instead of the web. Link cloaking masks your destination URL. Custom branded domains (like go.yourbrand.com) make links look professional instead of sketchy. These features live in the Business tier and up.
Dub Partners: Affiliate Program Platform
The Partners module handles complete affiliate program management. You onboard partners, generate unique tracking links for each one, set commission structures, and track payouts. Partners get their own dashboard showing clicks, conversions, and earnings.
This replaces dedicated affiliate software that costs $100-500/month on its own. It's included in Business, Advanced, and Enterprise plans. You can track partner performance, see which affiliates drive actual revenue, and automate commission calculations without spreadsheets.
Team Collaboration and Access Control
Role-based permissions let you give team members or clients limited access. Your social media manager can create links without seeing sensitive analytics. Your client gets their own branded workspace. Link folders organize campaigns by team, product line, or client.
Audit logs (Enterprise only) track who created, edited, or deleted links. Matters for compliance and accountability when you're a larger organization.
Start tracking your link conversions with Dub's free plan today.
Dub vs Alternatives: Pricing & Feature Comparison
| Feature/Aspect | Dub | Bitly | Rebrandly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (1K clicks), $25/mo (50K clicks) | Free (50 links), $8/mo | Free (500 clicks), $29/mo |
| Conversion Tracking | Full attribution to revenue events | Basic click tracking only | Basic click tracking only |
| Affiliate Management | Built-in platform included | Not available | Not available |
| Custom Domains | Unlimited on all paid plans | 1 domain on paid plans | 5 domains on basic plan |
| Analytics Retention | 1-5 years depending on plan | 30 days on free, varies on paid | 90 days to 5 years |
| Best For | Marketing teams needing revenue attribution | Basic link shortening | Brand-focused link management |
Dub wins on attribution depth. If you need to connect marketing links to actual customer conversions, nothing else comes close at this price. Bitly tracks clicks but can't tell you if those clicks became paying customers. Rebrandly focuses on branded links but lacks conversion analytics completely.
Bitly costs less if you only need basic click tracking. Their $8/month plan works fine for social media managers who just want to see which posts got traffic. Rebrandly wins on brand customization with more white-label options. But neither replaces affiliate software. Dub does.
Dub Pricing: Plans & Cost Breakdown
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1K tracked clicks/mo, 25 new links/mo, 30-day analytics retention, basic link features |
| Pro | $25/month (billed yearly) | 50K tracked clicks/mo, 1K new links/mo, 1-year analytics retention, advanced link features, free .link domain, link folders, deep links |
| Business | $75/month (billed yearly) | 250K tracked clicks/mo, 10K new links/mo, 3-year analytics retention, conversion tracking, A/B testing, customer insights, event webhooks, includes Dub Partners |
| Advanced | $250/month (billed yearly) | 1M tracked clicks/mo, 50K new links/mo, 5-year analytics retention, priority Slack support, includes Dub Partners |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Unlimited clicks and links, unlimited analytics retention, SSO/SAML, audit logs, custom SLA, includes Dub Partners |
The pricing feels high compared to Bitly's $8/month, but you're comparing apples to oranges. Dub at $75/month (Business tier) replaces both your link shortener and your affiliate platform. Standalone affiliate software like Rewardful costs $50-100/month, and that's before adding link tracking.
The jump from Free to Pro happens fast. 1,000 clicks per month sounds like a lot until you have one decent newsletter or social post. For solopreneurs testing the waters, the free tier works. For actual businesses, plan on Pro minimum.
The Business tier at $75/month is where Dub makes sense for most companies. You get conversion tracking and affiliate management, which are the actual reasons to use Dub instead of basic link shorteners. Below that, you're just paying for pretty short links.
Is Dub Worth It? Honest Review
I've been using Dub for several months now as a content creator who shares a ton of links across platforms. What sold me initially was the ability to brand all my links with my own domain instead of using random shorteners. But what kept me paying is the click tracking accuracy across every single link I create.
The interface is genuinely beautiful. I know that sounds shallow, but when you're creating and checking links daily, using software that looks modern and loads instantly matters. I actually enjoy using Dub, which I can't say about most marketing tools in my stack.
The conversion tracking has become essential for understanding which content drives actual traffic to my products versus just generating vanity metrics. I can see exactly which newsletter editions or social posts led to sales, not just clicks. That insight changed how I prioritize content.
If I had to cut tools from my budget, Dub would be one of the last to go. I've had zero technical issues, no downtime, and the analytics load faster than my previous link shortener. The pricing felt steep at first ($25/month for Pro), but it replaced both my link shortener and my basic affiliate tracking, so it actually simplified my stack.
For anyone who generates meaningful traffic online and needs to understand what's working, I highly recommend Dub. It's one of those tools that makes you wonder why you tolerated clunky alternatives for so long.
Dub Review: Final Verdict
Dub makes sense for marketing teams and businesses that need real attribution, not just click counts. If you're running affiliate programs or spending serious money on ads, the ability to track links to actual conversions justifies the cost. The interface is legitimately great, and consolidating short links plus affiliate management into one platform reduces tool sprawl.
Skip this if you're a casual user shortening 20 links per month for Instagram. The free tier is too limited, and the Pro tier is overkill for basic social sharing. Stick with Bitly or a free alternative. But if you're creating hundreds of campaign links monthly and need to prove marketing ROI, Dub is currently the best option that doesn't require enterprise-level budgets.
Transform your marketing links into revenue insights with Dub.
FAQ
Does Dub offer a free plan?
Yes, the free plan includes 1,000 tracked clicks per month and 25 new links per month. Analytics retention is 30 days. It's enough to test the platform but you'll outgrow it quickly if you're driving real traffic.
Can Dub track conversions from links to actual sales?
Yes, but only on Business tier ($75/month) and higher. You install their conversion tracking script and configure which events count as conversions. Then Dub connects link clicks to signups, purchases, or custom events you define.
How does Dub Partners compare to dedicated affiliate software?
Dub Partners handles partner onboarding, unique tracking links, commission tracking, and payout management. It's included in Business plans and up. Compared to standalone tools like Rewardful or PartnerStack, it's less feature-rich but costs nothing extra if you already need Dub's link tracking.
What's the difference between Pro and Business plans?
Pro ($25/month) gives you advanced link features and more capacity but no conversion tracking or affiliate management. Business ($75/month) adds conversion tracking, A/B testing, event webhooks, and the full Dub Partners platform. Business is the real entry point if you care about attribution.
Can I use my own custom domain for short links?
Yes, all paid plans support custom domains. You can use your own branded domain (like go.yourbrand.com) instead of Dub's default domains. The free .link domain is included starting at Pro tier if you don't want to configure your own.
