A simpler Dub alternative for links and files together
Dub is a strong, API-first link platform built for startups and developers — if you need webhooks, conversion tracking or an open API, Dub is genuinely the more capable tool. Smoling's pitch is narrower: one tool for both short links and file-sharing links, with password protection and analytics included on every plan.
Pricing and features last verified August 26, 2026
Feature Comparison
Smoling vs Dub
| Feature | Smoling | Dub |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | $0/mo — 20 links & files/month | $0/mo — 25 links/month 1,000 tracked events/month, 30-day analytics retention |
| Starting paid plan | $8/mo (Pro), $4/mo billed yearly | $25/mo (Dub Pro) 1,000 links/month, 50,000 tracked events/month |
| File-sharing links (upload files, get a short link) | ||
| Public API | Real gap: Dub is API-first, Smoling has no public API today | |
| Webhooks / conversion tracking / Stripe & Shopify integrations | Business tier and up Smoling does not offer these | |
| Password-protected links | All plans, including Free | All plans, including Free |
| Custom domains | 3 domains (Pro), 5 (Growth) | Included, capped by tier |
| Click/event analytics retention | Not time-limited | 30 days (Free) up to multi-year (paid) |
| QR codes |
Who should still use Dub
You need programmatic link creation via an API, or you're building on top of Dub's SDKs.
You need conversion tracking tied to Stripe or Shopify, or webhook-driven automation.
You're running affiliate/partner payouts, which Dub supports natively at higher tiers.
Where Smoling is weaker
No public API — Dub is built API-first; Smoling is a dashboard-only product today.
No webhooks, conversion tracking, or Stripe/Shopify integrations.
No multi-user teams, roles, or SSO/SAML.
FAQ
Switching from Dub
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