Free Install Attribution for Indie Developers (Not AppsFlyer Pricing)
If you're looking for an AppsFlyer alternative that won't cost you thousands per month, Attribr is a free install attribution SDK built specifically for indie developers and small studios. Track which link, campaign, or channel drove each install, plus 30-day retention cohorts, without enterprise pricing or complex integrations.
What Attribr Does (and What It Doesn't)
Attribr tracks install attribution. You'll see exactly which source drove each app install, whether that's a direct link, paid campaign, or organic channel. It also tracks 30-day retention cohorts so you know which sources bring users who stick around. What it isn't: a full mobile marketing platform like AppsFlyer or Branch. It's not a CDP, it won't manage your ad spend across networks, and it's not built for enterprise marketing teams with seven-figure budgets. It's purpose-built for indie devs who need attribution without the price.
Why the Pricing Model Exists
AppsFlyer and similar tools charge based on tracked installs because they're built to scale with enterprise clients. Attribr costs nothing to start because indie developers shouldn't need to spend £500 or more monthly just to understand where their users come from. The SDK is 50KB, integrates in three lines of code, and adds less than 50ms to your app launch. No third-party dependencies, no bloat. You pay only when your monthly tracked installs reach a volume that indicates real traction, and pricing is transparent and proportional.
Works Without ATT Permission
iOS 14.5 and later require user permission to track advertising identifiers via App Tracking Transparency. Attribr attribution works without ATT because it doesn't rely on IDFA. This means you'll get reliable install-source data even if your users don't grant tracking permission, which most won't. Android users get full attribution from day one. That's a significant advantage over tools that degrade when ATT permission is denied.
Integration Speed
Attribr integrates in minutes, not days. Three lines of Swift or Kotlin gets you install tracking and retention cohorts. Add your dashboard URL, and data flows immediately. No waiting for support teams, no onboarding calls, no SDK delays during build time. The dashboard shows you install sources and day 7, 14, and 30 retention breakdowns in real time. For a solo developer or small team, this is the difference between shipping fast and getting bogged down in tooling setup.
When to Consider Enterprise Tools
If you need to manage ad spend across multiple networks, optimise campaigns in real time, or coordinate marketing across teams, AppsFlyer or Branch still make sense at that scale. If you're running programmatic ads, need complex audience segmentation, or have a marketing department, those tools earn their cost. Attribr is for the indie phase: validation, early traction, and understanding which channels work before you scale. It's also compatible with platforms like Attribr's native dashboards, so you can track installs and retention without vendor lock-in.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Attribr really free?
Yes, completely free to start. You only pay when your tracked installs hit volume thresholds. Most indie developers stay on the free tier for months or years.
Can Attribr replace AppsFlyer for my app?
If you only need install attribution and retention tracking, yes. If you also need campaign management, ad network integrations, or advanced audience targeting, you'll still need a full platform like AppsFlyer.
How do I integrate Attribr?
Add three lines of code (Swift or Kotlin) to your app, grab your dashboard URL from attribr.dev, and that's it. Data flows immediately.
Does Attribr work without ATT permission on iOS?
Yes. It doesn't use IDFA, so it works whether or not users grant App Tracking Transparency permission. Most users don't.
What about Android?
Full attribution support on Android with zero ATT complications. Same three-line integration, same dashboard.
What retention metrics does Attribr track?
Day 7, day 14, and day 30 cohorts. You'll see how many users from each install source come back at those milestones.