Smaato vs. StackAdapt

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Smaato
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Smaato is a supply-side publisher platform (SSP) from the Verve Group since the 2021 acquisition.N/A
StackAdapt
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
StackAdapt, headquartered in Toronto offers their native advertising specialized DSP, supporting programmatic advertising with audience discovery, B2B targeting, and engagement analytics among other features.N/A
Pricing
SmaatoStackAdapt
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
SmaatoStackAdapt
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
SmaatoStackAdapt
Considered Both Products
Smaato
Chose Smaato
Smaato has better anti-fraud controls than most exchanges. Even if the inventory ends up being a bit pricey, I am more comfortable running campaigns on Smaato because I know there won't be any issues with the clients claiming refunds for invalid traffic. I believe that as the …
StackAdapt
Chose StackAdapt
With Google Ads you are able to set your budget and work within it. However, it is pay per click so the price does increase substantially. StackAdapt seems more budget friendly.
Chose StackAdapt
StackAdapt has an easier self-serve platform than JamLoop, where you can also buy programmatic CTV and display banners. Though they lack audio placements, which is another cross-channel tactic in StackAdapt to reach the same audience with multiple formats. Comparable CPM rates …
Chose StackAdapt
I chose to continue with StackAdapt mainly because of the improvements it has made in the last few years.

Constant improvements and frequent feature releases created a sense of trust in building my business along with StackAdapt.
Chose StackAdapt
We have evaluated Criteo because we have many eCommerce clients. But we decided against it because StackAdapt seems to have much better and complete targeting options and ways to optimize campaigns post-launch, whereas Criteo feels more like a "spray & pray" approach. …
Chose StackAdapt
We selected StackAdapt because we thought they would provide us with a greater ROI for our prospecting campaigns and retargeting campaigns. Unfortunately, we had a problem with the prospecting campaigns which was that we had a very huge audience segment to target so it does not …
Chose StackAdapt
StackAdapt is significantly less expensive than the Trade Desk. StackAdapt doesn't have campaign minimums, unlike the Trade Desk, meaning you can experiment with a lower ad spend to gain client confidence before investing at a larger level. Plus they don't lock you into an …
Chose StackAdapt
Even though we find the StackAdapt UI clunky and not intuitive, it's a huge step up from the Basis UI. We previously used Basis and ran all the media ourselves, and there were spend thresholds we had to hit with Basis that often made it a constraining platform to use. …
Chose StackAdapt
The reason why we chose StackAdapt is their pricing and easy dashboards.
Chose StackAdapt
Much better in terms of audience definition and campaign control. We found AdRoll to be relatively easy to use, but light in terms of campaign parameters, whereas StackAdapt is also easy to use but allows us to be completely in the driver's seat.
Chose StackAdapt
StackAdapt has better pricing, customer support, and results.
Chose StackAdapt
I couldn't find Teads in the dropdown, but that's what I'd most compare StackAdapt too. Both generated strong results for our various clients and campaigns run on the platforms, but overall, I've been far more impressed with StackAdapt. Not only is StackAdapt's dashboard …
Chose StackAdapt
I've worked with the Trade Desk for six years. When it comes to native inventory they've always been my go to.
Chose StackAdapt
Basis is great for display ads. StackAdapt, however, is in a completely different world when it comes to NAtie ADvertising. Typical DSPs like Basis do not come close to comparing.
Chose StackAdapt
In terms of Native advertising, StackAdapt blows Outbrain and Taboola out of the water. The ability to drive impressions is similar between all three, but we have seen a large improvement in the quality of these impressions from StackAdapt. Clicks, engagement, and sales are all …
Chose StackAdapt
StackAdapt's video capabilities perform in-line with what we have seen from Sharethrough, but without any minimums attached to their campaigns. As far as Nativo, their traffic was lower, but the quality of those sessions was better. As far as re-targeting capabilities, we have …
Chose StackAdapt
StackAdapt has better support, better integration, is easier to work with, and listens to customers. Other platforms serve up a take-it-or-leave-it attitude to all but the largest customers.
Chose StackAdapt
We've run native campaigns in other platforms and they just don't measure up to the performance we see coming from StackAdapt.
Best Alternatives
SmaatoStackAdapt
Small Businesses
Google Ad Manager
Google Ad Manager
Score 8.5 out of 10
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
The Trade Desk
The Trade Desk
Score 9.0 out of 10
The Trade Desk
The Trade Desk
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Score 9.0 out of 10
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
SmaatoStackAdapt
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.0
(0 ratings)
9.5
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
SmaatoStackAdapt
Likelihood to Recommend
Strong Google Exchange Bidding partner when comparing to other companies in EB.
Read full review
Campaigns for Brand Awareness: StackAdapt works effectively in campaigns for brand awareness where expanding brand visibility and reaching a large audience are the main objectives. Advertisers can target particular demographics, hobbies, and behaviors with its sophisticated targeting features, making sure that the correct audience groups receive brand messaging.
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Pros
  • Fill - the ad requests we send to Smaato have seen a great requests-to-impression ration.
  • Revenue - We've seen a lift in overall revenue thanks to the high CPM bids we get from Smaato.
  • Payments are always on time and they have a responsive financial team that is helpful in answering any questions.
  • Customer service - They are very fast to respond to any issues. The set up was streamlined thanks to their professional customer service.
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  • Communication: Their reps are incredibly transparent, thorough and detailed. I really, really appreciate that.
  • Creativity: Not only are the reps communicative, they actually bring new, fresh ideas to the table. As busy as we are, I can't thank them enough for that.
  • Easy-to-use: As detailed as the dashboard is, it's actually pretty easy to use and bring new users up-to-speed on.
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Cons
  • Inventory can be a bit pricey in competitive markets like the US.
  • Reporting dashboard is limited, needs work.
  • They don't offer a lof of transparency about margins over media cost.
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  • There has been occasional slopping maintenance of the campaigns, and we have to follow up with questions about spending spikes or significant changes in delivery CPMs.
  • Account rep knowledge can sometimes be lacking. When we question our reps about performance, we sometimes get confusing or nonsensical answers.
  • The reporting UI is definitely clunky and unintuitive.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
The platform is easy to use and understand whether it is being used as self-serve or a managed service. The audience targeting is solid, and array of placements is versatile. With these, the level of engagement for video content is usually great
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Usability
Smaato has a UI where you can control your line items on the traffic you want to receive. That is a key unique selling point that other SSPs don't offer. Most of the items that you will need like reporting can be done on a self serve manner and that is a big plus, specifically for changes that need to happen really fast and you don't need to deal with account managers that may take some time to answer emails.
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It is very user friendly and if any team members need further help, we are able to easily access their customer service team for hands on assistance with an actual human being, not a robot. Their team has been incredibly kind, understanding and thorough. It is really a great all in one tool for a business who relies greatly on advertising campaigns.
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Support Rating
Smaato's account management team is very professional. They are quite fast in terms of customer support, which is very helpful. One item that stands out is that they are willing to understand what you need for each campaign and what is the best way to move forward. They don't just jump quickly into trying to upsell more of Smaato's products (audiences, data) like other SSPs do.
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Support has been exceptional. Our dedicated team is always available and ready to answer any questions that may arise. We receive updates from them on a regular basis and they go above and beyond providing assistance when needed. The team is absolutely one of the bright spots in our relationship with StackAdapt
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Alternatives Considered
Smaato has better anti-fraud controls than most exchanges. Even if the inventory ends up being a bit pricey, I am more comfortable running campaigns on Smaato because I know there won't be any issues with the clients claiming refunds for invalid traffic. I believe that as the industry matures, other SSPs will follow suit and prices will increase along with the board.
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StackAdapt has an easier self-serve platform than JamLoop, where you can also buy programmatic CTV and display banners. Though they lack audio placements, which is another cross-channel tactic in StackAdapt to reach the same audience with multiple formats. Comparable CPM rates on CTV, and customer support on both is similarly strong.
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Return on Investment
  • We have seen prices a bit high, thus reducing profitability
  • However, the vast reach has allowed us to get more budgets and fulfill them so the net effect is positive.
  • We have been able to run campaigns that targeted the same user on mobile and desktop by running with Smaato and that has allowed us to get more budgets from specific clients.
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  • For one of our clients, we've generated over 4.3x ROAS this year, which far exceeded our expectations for a programmatic display ad platform.
  • Getting results for our clients with StackAdapt gives us an edge in attracting new clients, which helps us maintain client retention and satisfaction.
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ScreenShots