AppLovin MAX vs Chartboost Mediation
AppLovin MAX
applovin.comChartboost Mediation
chartboost.comSide by side
| Figure | AppLovin MAX | Chartboost Mediation |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · App Monetization Platforms | 8.0 (#4) | 7.2 (#8) |
| Spec score · Game Monetization Software | 8.0 (#10) | 7.4 (#15) |
| Ad formats | Supported formats listed include rewarded video, app open, interstitial, MREC, banner, and native ads. | The documented formats include banners, rewarded video, and interstitial ads, with some partners also supporting adaptive banners or rewarded interstitials. |
| Auction | MAX runs a real-time auction in which ad networks compete and the highest bid wins. | Its unified auction runs real-time bidding across demand sources and provides visibility into why a specific bid won. |
| Purpose | MAX provides monetization tools that help mobile games earn revenue from ad impressions. | Chartboost Mediation is a monetization solution for mobile app developers that uses bidding to increase competition for each ad impression. |
| Reporting | Publishers can access user-level and impression-level data through built-in reporting tools or an API. | The dashboard provides real-time auction and performance data, and publishers can download customized reports or use the Mediation API. |
| Support | The getting-started guide directs publishers to their account team or an AppLovin Support ticket when its testing tools do not resolve integration issues. | Chartboost says Mediation publishers have direct communication channels to an account manager, product team, and support team. |
Plans
In their own words
AppLovin MAX
AppLovin MAX helps mobile games earn revenue from ad impressions by running a real-time auction among ad networks; the highest bid wins. Supported formats include rewarded video, app open, interstitial, MREC, banner, and native ads. Publishers can review user-level and impression-level data in built-in reports or through an API, and use A/B testing to compare networks, price points, and regional setups. Ad Review offers control over which ads users see and flags problematic or competitor ads. The SDK is described as lightweight, with tools for SDK validation and pre-launch ad testing through Mediation Debugger. The product supports Android and iOS apps and lists integrations for Unity, React Native, Flutter, Cordova, Adobe AIR, Unreal, Godot, and Defold. MAX is free for publishers; bidding networks pay AppLovin a fee on generated ad revenue. A mediated network requires its own account, app and ad unit registration, and approval to serve ads. Custom networks cannot use in-app bidding or Auto-CPM. Publishers must obtain consent where applicable and pass consent flags to AppLovin.
Chartboost Mediation
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.