Built for marketers, not just devs.
Dub is developer-first and subscription-based. Whooshly is the friendly, pay-once toolkit for marketers and founders who think in campaigns.
Whooshly is a good Dub alternative for marketers and founders who want a no-code toolkit rather than a developer API. Both give you fast, clean short links; Whooshly adds a UTM builder and digital cards and charges once, while Dub is subscription-based and API-first. If you live in code, Dub is the sharper tool.
| Feature | Whooshly | Dub |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $35 once | $30+/mo |
| No-code friendly | Dev-leaning | |
| Dynamic QR codes | Basic | |
| UTM builder | ||
| Digital cards | ||
| Clicks never capped or charged | Tiered | |
| No subscription |
Comparison based on each vendor's publicly listed plans, checked August 2026. Prices change often — verify against the vendor's own pricing page before deciding.
What Dub costs to stand still.
At about $30/mo, Dub runs roughly $360 a year and $1,080 over three years, and you still don't own it. Whooshly's Core is $35, paid once.
It's not just the price.
Plain language and tools marketers actually use.
Own the core instead of renting it monthly.
QR, UTM, and cards without add-ons.
When Dub is the better pick.
Dub is the best modern open-source shortener for developers. The API is excellent, self-hosting is genuinely viable, and the analytics are clean and fast. For engineering teams that want links as infrastructure, it's hard to beat.
Pick Dub if you're a developer, you want to self-host or automate link creation via API, and a monthly plan suits your team.
How to move from Dub to Whooshly.
Download your link list, destinations, slugs, and tags, from Dub as a CSV.
Paste your destinations and claim the same custom endings where they're free. Add QR codes and UTM tags in the same place.
Update the links in your posts and campaigns, or connect the custom domain included with Core so links keep the same host.
If that trade-off fits the way you work, explore Whooshly's editable short links, then see exactly what the $35 one-time plan includes.
Whooshly vs Dub – FAQ
Is Whooshly a good Dub alternative for non-developers?
Yes. Dub is built API-first for engineering teams. Whooshly is designed for marketers and founders, no code required, and bundles a UTM builder and digital cards that Dub doesn't offer, for a one-time $35 payment.
Does Whooshly charge monthly like Dub?
No. The Core toolkit is a single $35 payment. Dub is a monthly subscription with usage tiers. Whooshly's only recurring option is the optional $9/mo Pro add-on.
Can I track clicks and scans without a subscription?
Yes, every link and QR code includes click and scan analytics with country and device breakdowns on the one-time Core plan.
Does Whooshly have an API like Dub?
Whooshly is built no-code-first, so it's not as API-centric as Dub. If programmatic link creation at scale is your main requirement, Dub is the better fit. If you want a UTM builder, QR codes, and digital cards in a friendly UI, Whooshly covers more ground.
Is Whooshly or Dub cheaper?
Dub has a free tier and open-source self-hosting, so it can be cheaper if you self-host. For the hosted product, Dub's paid plans start around $30/mo (~$360/yr) while Whooshly's Core is a one-time $35.
Switch from Dub. Pay once.
Bring your links, own your data, and never see a renewal email again.