Category · 15 tools · 4 comparisons
Programmatic advertising platforms
Platforms for buying and selling digital ads through DSPs, SSPs and related tools.
Our ranked shortlist: the best programmatic advertising platforms →
At a glance
- Tools tracked
- 15
- Free plan
- 1 of 15
- Best value score
- Sovrn, 5.5/10
Every tool we cover
Price tracker →| Tool | Score | From | Top listed plan | Free plan | Trial | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PubMaticPubMatic | 6.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 PulsePointPulsePoint | 6.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 BasisBasis | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 StackAdaptStackAdapt | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 illuminillumin | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Viant DSPViant DSP | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Quantcast PlatformQuantcast Platform | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 AppcastAppcast | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 CriteoCriteo | 5.7 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 MOLOCO AdsMOLOCO Ads | 5.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 SovrnSovrn | 5.5 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 The Trade DeskThe Trade Desk | 5.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Simpli.fiSimpli.fi | 5.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 TripleLiftTripleLift | 5.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 VDO.AIVDO.AI | 4.9 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
* Lower confidence: the vendor's pricing page couldn't be read directly or didn't list every price, so the figure was compiled from other public sources and may be incomplete. Check the vendor's page before you buy.
Head-to-head
Highest scored
PubMaticPubMatic
Wide-ranging publisher and buyer tools, but pricing is undisclosed and publisher reports raise questions.
PulsePointPulsePoint
Worth a demo for healthcare campaigns, but custom pricing and targeting claims need scrutiny.
BasisBasis
Consider Basis for consolidated ad operations, but get pricing and service terms in writing first.
Programmatic advertising platforms: quick answers
Which programmatic advertising platforms have a free plan?
Sovrn has a free plan. Free plans are usually capped on usage, seats or features; each review lists the limits.