Chartboost Mediation
chartboost.com
What it is
Chartboost Mediation is a free monetization platform for Android and iOS mobile apps. It uses bidding to increase competition for each ad impression and offers access to more than 50 demand sources. A unified auction runs real-time bidding and shows why a bid won. Developers can use bidding or waterfall setups, although individual partners may not support both. The dashboard filters performance by app, placement, ad type, network source, country, and date range, and supports custom reports. One-click A/B tests compare bidding, non-bidding, and other monetization arrangements. Chartboost bidding supports banner, rewarded video, and interstitial ads. Mediation SDK integrations are listed for Android and iOS version 5.4.0 and Unity version 5.3.0. Chartboost says there are no demand fees for bidding partners. Setup includes a free platform account, app imports, network selection, placements, ad groups, and SDK integration.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Chartboost Mediation is a monetization solution powered by bidding that lets mobile app developers increase competition for ad impressions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Purpose
- Chartboost Mediation is a monetization solution for mobile app developers that uses bidding to increase competition for each ad impression.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Integrations
- The Mediation SDK integration options listed are Android, iOS, and Unity, and the setup guide links an adapter integration manager for partner networks.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Security
- Chartboost states its SDK encrypts collected data in transit and lets customers delete specific user data.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Support
- Chartboost says Mediation publishers have direct communication channels to an account manager, product team, and support team.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- A/B testing
- A one-click toggle lets publishers test bidding against non-bidding or another monetization setup.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Account
- The getting-started documentation offers a free Chartboost platform account and directs users to set up payment details to receive earnings.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Ad formats
- The documented formats include banners, rewarded video, and interstitial ads, with some partners also supporting adaptive banners or rewarded interstitials.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Auction
- Its unified auction runs real-time bidding across demand sources and provides visibility into why a specific bid won.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chartboost.com
- Consent management
- The Core SDK requires a consent management platform, and Chartboost documents open-source adapters for Google User Messaging Platform and Usercentrics on Android.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Data collection
- The data-safety disclosure lists device or other identifiers and other app performance data as collected and shared off-device for analytics, advertising or marketing, and fraud prevention, security, and compliance.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Data security
- Chartboost says its SDK encrypts collected data in transit and lets customers request deletion of specific user data.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Demand sources
- Chartboost says publishers can access its direct programmatic demand plus more than 33 demand sources.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Fees
- Chartboost says it charges no demand fees for its bidding partners and that the winning bid equals publisher earnings.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Reporting
- The dashboard provides real-time auction and performance data, and publishers can download customized reports or use the Mediation API.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Reporting API limit
- The Mediation Reporting API is limited to 40 requests every 10 minutes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- SDK size
- Chartboost states that its Mediation SDK is under 340 KB for iOS and Android, as is the Unity plug-in.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Setup
- Getting started requires importing apps, selecting networks, setting up placements and ad groups, and integrating the Mediation SDK.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Supported SDKs
- The getting-started page lists Mediation SDK integrations for Android and iOS at version 5.4.0 and Unity at version 5.3.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Waterfall and bidding
- The product supports bidding and waterfall, though individual ad partners may not support both methods.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
- Waterfalls
- Mediation supports both bidding and waterfall setups, though some partners do not support both.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chartboost.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free plan available
- 50+ demand sources listed
- Real-time unified auction
- Custom performance reports
- Banner, rewarded, interstitial formats
Limits
- Some partners lack both bidding and waterfalls
- Reporting API limited to 40 requests per 10 minutes
- Collected identifiers and performance data may be shared
Who it suits
Chartboost Mediation suits mobile developers monetizing Android, iOS, or Unity apps with multiple ad sources. It is aimed at teams needing auction-based mediation, reporting, and rewarded advertising.
Verdict
Chartboost Mediation combines bidding, waterfalls, reporting, and ad testing in one mobile-focused service. Its partner-method limitations and reporting API cap are important planning constraints.
Where Specifiction places it
- Mobile Advertising Software#2 of 117.3
- App Monetization Platforms#6 of 107.2
- Game Monetization Software#15 of 197.4