TrustRadius

AppLovin MAX vs. ironSource

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AppLovin MAX
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
MoPub was a mobile ad server owned by Twitter since the September 2013 acquisition, acquired by AppLovin, and now part of the MAX mediation platform. MAX gives users a diverse set of auctions for supply.N/A
ironSource
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
ironSource (or Supersonic before ironSource and Supersonic merged under the ironSource brand) is a mobile app monetization and mobile advertising application. ironSource (the company) is headquartered in Tel Aviv.N/A
Pricing
AppLovin MAXironSource
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AppLovin MAXironSource
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AppLovin MAXironSource
Considered Both Products
AppLovin MAX
Verified User
Anonymous
Chose AppLovin MAX
We've been attempting to make AppLovin Max perform the same way as MoPub had for us. The value we get from AppLovin Max differs from the ROI we get from other mediation platforms. We keep convincing ourselves that AppLovin Max will eventually function similarly to MoPub.
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Chose AppLovin MAX
MoPub is focused only on in app inventory and their stronghold is on the US. They created their own mediation platform which gives them advantages over smaller SSPs that do not have their own ad tech stack. However, in order to continue improving they should focus more on APAC …
Verified User
Anonymous
Chose AppLovin MAX
MoPub is an SSP that can help you explain the benefits (and hurdles) of programmatic advertising to the client and that is a big help in markets that are not very developed. Other exchanges are too big and they don't put a lot of focus on customer service but MoPub is different …
ironSource
Verified User
Anonymous
Chose ironSource
We were wanting to expand our channels, and IS stood out from the others because of their presence in other verticals that suited our target audience. We would not propose utilizing IS to replace any of your existing DSPs, but rather to supplement the DSPs you are already using.
Verified User
Anonymous
Chose ironSource
Very good service. Self serve platform in compared with the other apps. Would recommend it to try new channels.
Kimberly Smith | TrustRadius Reviewer
Kimberly Smith
Director digital
Chose ironSource
ironSource has more reach in the USA than other players that are focused on smaller geos. I would also say that Google is a big competitor with its DV360 and we use them as well, but ironSource is more focused on branding and Google provides more options for campaigns that have …
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Chose ironSource
ironSource is more oriented toward gaming than MoPub and Smaato, which are focused on other verticals, but it is in direct competition with AppLovin. I selected ironSource because their support team and customer service is faster and has a deeper understanding of the product …
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User Ratings
AppLovin MAXironSource
Likelihood to Recommend
5.0
(0 ratings)
8.5
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AppLovin MAXironSource
Likelihood to Recommend
MoPub is perfect for US in app campaigns. They are able to offer inventory worldwide, but clearly the US is their home turf and the place where they feel most comfortable. They work well for performance campaigns, but I would not use them for branding purposes. They are very responsive and keep improving their product offering to stay competitive.
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Read full review
Although IS is mostly utilized for apps in the gaming vertical, and the bulk of their publishers are also in the gaming vertical, we have had some success using its DSP. As a non-gaming app, we occasionally struggle to find a reliable source of constant inventory and growth. However, with IS, we've found a few good pockets (publishers) that appear to back out extremely well for us.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
Pros
  • Lightweight SDK with waterfall setup
  • Large support for every ad format possible
  • Great display of analytics
  • Amazing support team
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
  • Great reporting
  • Dedicated AM to help get the best use of the product
  • Exclusive deals with big publishers
Kimberly Smith | TrustRadius Reviewer
Kimberly Smith
Director digital
Read full review
Cons
  • Their take rate is not transparent, its unclear the margin percentage.
  • Not a lot of premium publishers on the platfrom, mostly gaming.
  • Discrepancies keep arising between impressions served and billing numbers.
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Read full review
  • Very small inventory for iOS in Latin.
  • Sometimes does not deliver at the set targets.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
Usability
MoPub is a great SSP. It is a trusted partner that can help you scale campaigns as well as educate the client about the benefits of programmatic advertising. They have a lot of inventory and a great support team. I wouldn't say they are perfect because reporting is not very good and some billing issues are not as transparent as they should be.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
MoPub's support is really good. Their team is knowledgeable on their product and the programmatic ecosystem in general and they are very helpful. The only 2 things that I would point out would be that their response times are not very fast and that there is a lot of rotation on the account management team.
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Read full review
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
We've been attempting to make AppLovin Max perform the same way as MoPub had for us. The value we get from AppLovin Max differs from the ROI we get from other mediation platforms. We keep convincing ourselves that AppLovin Max will eventually function similarly to MoPub.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
Very good service. Self serve platform in compared with the other apps. Would recommend it to try new channels.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • CPMs are low, which translate into good CPAs and more budgets.
  • Possibility of rebate programs for big volumes can also increase ROI.
  • Lack of clarity on billing numbers reduces profitability for a few months.
Verified User
Anonymous
Read full review
  • Helps us deliver on our campagins, improving ROI
  • Inventory quite expensive, decreasing ROI
  • Not transparent on margins, which is not good for the business
Gabriela Band | TrustRadius Reviewer
Gabriela Band
Sales Specialist
Read full review
ScreenShots

AppLovin MAX Screenshots

Screenshot of the Main ScreenScreenshot of Waterfall PreviewScreenshot of the MAX A/B Test feature, used to test real-time data to test and measure the impact of any change to the waterfall configuration.Screenshot of the Ad ReviewScreenshot of the Network Comparison report.Screenshot of the MAX Cohort Report.