Attribr by MRVL vs Singular: Which Attribution Tool Fits Your Studio
Attribr and Singular serve different developer segments. Attribr is a free, lightweight install attribution SDK built for indie developers and small studios who need to track which source drove each install without enterprise pricing. Singular is a full mobile marketing platform designed for larger teams with broader analytics and campaign management needs.
Core Difference: Indie SDK vs Enterprise Platform
Attribr solves a specific problem: indie developers who need to know which link, campaign, or channel drove each install, then track if those users open the app 7, 14, or 30 days later. It's a 50KB SDK with zero third-party dependencies and under 50ms launch overhead. Singular is a comprehensive mobile marketing platform with audience segmentation, cohort analysis, and multi-channel campaign orchestration. If you're a solo developer or small studio tracking installs on a budget, Attribr covers your core need. If you're managing large-scale campaigns across multiple channels and need advanced analytics, Singular targets that scale.
Integration Speed and Technical Footprint
Attribr takes 3 lines of code to integrate in Swift or Kotlin and adds minimal overhead to your app launch. The entire SDK is 50KB with no external dependencies, meaning fewer potential conflicts and faster app startup. Singular requires more comprehensive setup and backend configuration, which suits enterprise teams with dedicated mobile marketing infrastructure. For indie developers juggling multiple roles, Attribr's simplicity is intentional. You install it, run a campaign link, and get attribution data without maintaining a complex integration.
Attribution Without ATT Permission
Attribr works on iOS 14.5 and later without requiring users to grant App Tracking Transparency permission. This means you can track installs and early retention cohorts even if users decline tracking, a key advantage for indie studios losing attribution data to ATT opt-outs. Singular requires ATT consent for full cross-platform attribution, which limits visibility in some cases. If your app targets broad audiences where ATT opt-out rates are high, Attribr's approach gives you clearer baseline data on install sources.
Pricing Model
Attribr is free for the indie tier and scales with monthly tracked installs as you grow. There's no setup fee, no minimum spend, and no separate tool subscription to manage. Singular operates on enterprise pricing, typically requiring annual contracts and minimum commitments. If you're testing a new app idea or bootstrapping a studio, Attribr's free tier removes friction. You can launch, track installs, and prove traction before spending money on marketing infrastructure.
Retention Cohorts and Day-30 Tracking
Both tools track retention, but Attribr focuses on the core metric indie developers need: did users who came from source X open the app at day 7, 14, or 30. This is essential for comparing which campaigns or links drive engaged users, not just installs. Singular offers deeper cohort segmentation and lifetime value modeling for teams running complex campaigns across channels. For indie studios deciding whether a marketing channel is worth continuing, Attribr's retention cohorts are sufficient and straightforward to interpret.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose Attribr if you're an indie iOS or Android developer, a small game studio, or a bootstrapped founder who needs install attribution and can't justify enterprise tool costs. You own the integration entirely and keep your data within Attribr's lightweight SDK. Choose Singular if you're part of a larger mobile marketing team, run campaigns across multiple channels, need audience segmentation, and have budget for platform licensing. Singular assumes you have dedicated marketing operations; Attribr assumes you're building and shipping fast.
Ready to try Attribr by MRVL?
One tap to download. No sign-up wall.
Frequently asked questions
Does Attribr replace Singular?
No. Attribr handles install attribution and early retention tracking for indie developers. Singular is a full marketing platform with campaign orchestration and audience management. Attribr is the lightweight alternative if you only need core attribution without enterprise overhead.
Can I use Attribr if I grow beyond indie scale?
Yes. Attribr pricing scales with tracked installs, so you can stay on the platform as you grow. If you later need advanced cohort segmentation or multi-channel orchestration, you can integrate both tools or migrate to Singular, but Attribr won't cap you artificially.
What data can I export from Attribr?
Attribr tracks install source, install date, and retention cohorts (day 7, 14, 30 opens). You access this data via the web dashboard. The SDK works offline and syncs data when the user has connectivity, so you keep attribution even if the app is used without internet.
Does Attribr work for Android and iOS?
Yes. Attribr offers SDKs for both platforms and a unified web dashboard to view attribution across devices. You can integrate both SDKs and track install sources across your full user base.
How does Attribr handle iOS privacy without ATT?
Attribr uses deterministic matching and install source tracking that doesn't rely on IDFA, so it works without ATT consent. You still see which link or campaign drove the install, and whether that user opened the app at day 7, 14, or 30.
Is there a free tier for Singular?
Singular typically requires enterprise contracts. Attribr is free for indie developers, making it the low-cost alternative if you're just starting out or bootstrapped.