ToneDen alternative for smart links and download gates
By Evyatar H. · Updated
ToneDen is shutting down its standalone platform on 1 December 2026, and 30 November is the last day to request a copy of your data (ToneDen Help Center, updated 21 October 2026). After that, ToneDen smart links, pre-save links and social unlocks stop working.
TimbrGate can replace two of those jobs: smart links that send fans to every major streaming store, and download gates that unlock a file after the fan actions you choose. It does not run ad campaigns, it has no pre-saves or custom domains yet, and it cannot import ToneDen links. Export your ToneDen data first, then rebuild your most important release in TimbrGate. TimbrGate is free to start.
Is TimbrGate a ToneDen alternative?
For smart links and download gates, yes. TimbrGate smart links route fans to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, SoundCloud, Amazon Music and Bandcamp, and download gates unlock a file after the actions you choose. TimbrGate does not run ad campaigns and does not offer pre-saves, contests or custom domains yet.
What ToneDen users can rebuild in TimbrGate
ToneDen names below are from ToneDen is shutting down-FAQs. The TimbrGate column is limited to features offered today.
| ToneDen feature (per ToneDen FAQ) | TimbrGate today | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FanLinks / StreamLinks (release smart links) | Smart Link | Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Bandcamp. Paste a track URL, TimbrGate finds matching links on other stores; add, remove or reorder before publishing. |
| Social unlocks | Download Unlock gate | 20 platform actions plus email signup (21 selectable). SoundCloud follow, like, repost and YouTube subscribe are API-verified after the fan authorizes once; other steps are guided. |
| Fan contact capture | Email capture with CSV export | Dashboard > gate Stats > Your email list > Export CSV, when email capture is on. |
| Tracking pixels | Meta Pixel, TikTok Pixel, Google Ads, GA4 | Server-side Meta Conversions API, TikTok Events API and GA4 on gates when the fan consents. |
| Analytics dashboards | Views, downloads, platform clicks, conversion rate, countries, daily activity, UTM traffic sources | Near real-time. |
| QR codes for shared links | One-click QR code, PNG or SVG | - |
| Playlist page (no direct ToneDen equivalent named) | Playlist Link | Dedicated page that sends listeners to a playlist. |
| Exclusive drops | Optional password on a download gate | - |
| Pre-save links | Not offered | TimbrGate does not offer Spotify pre-saves yet. |
| Contests (GiveLinks) | Not offered | TimbrGate does not offer contests. |
| Links on custom domains | Not offered yet | Links live on timbrgate.com. |
| Ad campaigns and Playbooks (Spotify Growth etc.) | Not offered | TimbrGate does not create or manage ads. Run them in Meta Ads Manager or Google Ads. |
| TourLinks, EventLinks, PodLinks | No dedicated type | TimbrGate has no dedicated tour, event or podcast link. |
| Import of ToneDen links or data | No import | Rebuild by hand. |
When another tool fits better
TimbrGate covers smart links and download gates. It does not offer pre-saves, contests, custom domains, ad campaigns or a ToneDen import. ToneDen's shutdown FAQ says there is no direct ToneDen replacement. If you need pre-saves or ad automation, compare tools that offer them.
How to move from ToneDen before 30 November
- 1. Export your ToneDen data by 30 November 2026. Use ToneDen's Privacy Portal: enter your account email, click Request Export, and download from the email link (ToneDen export steps). Fan contacts collected through ToneDen are in that export, so keep the consent context with them.
- 2. List the links you still share: latest release, bio link, active ads, emails, QR codes.
- 3. Rebuild your most important release first. In TimbrGate, create a Smart Link and paste the release's streaming URL. Check each destination opens the right artist and version.
- 4. Rebuild any social unlock as a Download Unlock gate. Upload the original file, choose the actions, and test the full unlock from a signed-out browser.
- 5. Add your Meta, TikTok and Google tracking IDs, then make a test visit and check your ad platform's test events before sending paid traffic.
- 6. Replace the old link everywhere you control it: bios, posts, ad destinations, email templates. Reprint or update QR codes where you can.
- 7. Pause or review ToneDen-managed ads in Meta Ads Manager or Google Ads. They keep spending after 1 Dec until you change them.
- 8. For releases that need a pre-save, use another tool for that step; TimbrGate does not offer pre-saves yet.
Understand what tracking can tell you
TimbrGate offers gate analytics and integrations with Meta, Google and TikTok. Configure the integrations needed for your campaign before moving paid traffic. Open the new page, make a test visit and complete the action. Check both the gate report and the relevant platform's test events view before changing an active ad.
A platform-button click is a click, not a confirmed stream. A completed download is a different outcome again. Use the metric that matches your goal and compare the same traffic sources over comparable periods. Browser settings, cookie consent and ad-platform configuration can all affect what gets recorded.
Browser and server tracking do not automatically guarantee complete attribution. Confirm your event settings and avoid counting one occurrence twice. TimbrGate does not transfer past ToneDen reports. Save any exports available in your old account and record the cutover date so your comparisons have a clear boundary. 30 November 2026 is the last day to request that ToneDen export.
Related reading
- smart links and download gates are the two ToneDen jobs TimbrGate replaces.
- The ToneDen migration checklist walks through one release at a time.
- Setup guides: smart link guide, download gate guide, and email list guide.
- FAQ and the alternatives hub.
Frequently asked questions
When does ToneDen shut down?+
ToneDen shuts down its standalone platform, toneden.io, on 1 December 2026. 30 November 2026 is the last day to request a copy of your data. Accounts connected to Eventbrite are not affected. Source: ToneDen's shutdown FAQ.
Can TimbrGate replace ToneDen?+
For smart links and download gates, yes. TimbrGate smart links route fans to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, SoundCloud, Amazon Music and Bandcamp, and download gates unlock a file after the actions you choose. TimbrGate does not run ad campaigns and does not offer pre-saves, contests or custom domains yet.
Can I import my ToneDen links into TimbrGate?+
No. There is no ToneDen import. Export your data from ToneDen before 30 November, then recreate each release in TimbrGate using the original streaming URLs, artwork and files.
Will my ToneDen links redirect to TimbrGate?+
No. ToneDen says its smart links stop working on 1 December 2026, including links on custom domains. Replace the old link in each bio, post, email and ad with your new TimbrGate link.
Does TimbrGate keep my fan emails and tracking?+
TimbrGate can capture fan emails on a download gate and export them as CSV, and it supports the Meta Pixel, TikTok Pixel, Google Ads and GA4, with server-side events on gates when the fan consents. Old ToneDen reports and fan lists do not transfer automatically; keep your ToneDen export.
Is TimbrGate free?+
TimbrGate is free to start. Smart links, download gates, tracking pixels and analytics are available from signup.
Rebuild your release link in TimbrGate
TimbrGate is free to start. Export your ToneDen data by 30 November, then create the new link.
Updated 29 Oct 2026: earlier versions of this page said we could not verify a shutdown. ToneDen has since published an official shutdown notice, linked above.