Review
Dub review: is it the right URL shortener in 2026?
An open-source, API-first link platform with SDKs, webhooks and conversion tracking, aimed at developers and SaaS teams.
Dub positions itself as link infrastructure rather than a link tool. The codebase is open source, there are official SDKs for TypeScript, Python, Go, Ruby and PHP, and the API is the primary interface rather than an afterthought. That is why it tops our developer ranking.
The free plan, verified on dub.co in November 2026, allows 25 links a month with 1,000 tracked events, 30 days of retention and, notably, 3 custom domains. Pro is $27 a month (10% off yearly, billed up front) for 12,000 links a year, 600,000 events, 10 domains, 3 users and a year of retention. Business at $81 a month adds conversion tracking, webhooks, role-based access, 100 domains and 3 years of retention.
Dub's weaknesses are the flip side of its focus. There are no link-in-bio pages, the free link quota is small, and a marketer who wants unlimited branded links will pay far more than on ReSlug or Short.io. If you are wiring links into a product, that is a fair trade.
Dub pricing and limits
| Free | Pro (cheapest paid) | Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $27/mo $24.30/mo annual | $81/mo |
| Links | 25 links/mo | 1,000/mo (12,000/yr) | 10,000/mo (120,000/yr) |
| Custom domains | Yes | 10 | 100 |
| Analytics retention | 30 days | 1 year | 3 years |
| Ads on links | None | None | None |
Source: Dub pricing page, checked 8 November 2026. Yearly billing is 10% off and charged up front. Free plan includes 3 custom domains.
Features
| Public API | Yes |
|---|---|
| Link-in-bio pages | No |
| QR codes | Yes |
| UTM builder | Yes |
| Link expiration | Yes |
| Password protection | Yes |
| Geo and device routing | Yes |
| A/B split testing | Yes |
| Retargeting pixels | No |
| Bot-click filtering | Not documented |
| Team seats | Yes |
| Mobile deep links | Yes |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| Zapier / integrations | Yes |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open-source codebase, typed SDKs and a well-documented REST API
- 3 custom domains on the free plan
- Conversion tracking, webhooks and role-based access on Business
- A/B testing, geo and device targeting, password and expiration on Pro
Cons
- Free plan is only 25 links a month
- Pro is $27 a month, three times ReSlug's Pro
- No link-in-bio pages
- Quotas are annual pools billed up front on yearly plans
Dub alternatives
- AlternativeReSlugAnyone who wants a custom domain and real analytics without paying
- AlternativeShort.ioPower users who want many custom domains cheaply
- AlternativeBitlyEnterprises that need a well-known vendor, SSO and a sales contract
Frequently asked questions
Is Dub free?
Yes. The free plan includes 25 links/mo, a custom domain, 30 days of analytics and no ads on your links.
How much does Dub cost?
Paid plans start at $27/mo (Pro) billed monthly, or $24.30/mo billed annually. That tier includes 1,000/mo (12,000/yr) links and 10 custom domains.