Basis DSP vs. StackAdapt

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Basis DSP
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Basis from Basis Global Technologies (formerly Centro) is a programmatic ad buying platform supporting digital advertising buying and placement across varying channels. Since the acquisition of SiteScout the platform also contains technology from the SiteScout AdServer.N/A
StackAdapt
Score 7.3 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
Basis DSPStackAdapt
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Basis DSPStackAdapt
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
Basis DSPStackAdapt
Considered Both Products
Basis DSP
Chose Basis DSP
Advangelist, StackAdapt, Simplifi, Trade Desk, Media Math - overall most of the other platforms we reviewed were perfectly fine and can get the job done quite well. We have mostly stuck with basis because of the relationship that we have, the fact that they have continued to …
Chose Basis DSP
Basis [DSP] has much better fraud control than SmartyAds DSP. Even though they do not have the amount of supply inventory as Smarty, they have much more controls for invalid traffic and bots which is very important to minimize discrepancies and issues with clients.
Compared to …
Chose Basis DSP
Compared to these 3 alternatives, Basis DSP is the easiest to use. Applovin is more complex but it is very messy and the learning curve is pretty steep. Applovin is focused mostly on big clients and not suitable for agencies of any size. OpenX would be the closest competitor …
Chose Basis DSP
Basis is able to reach ad exchanges that these platforms can not. Basis serves as a one-stop shop whereas these platforms require 3rd party integrations.
Chose Basis DSP
We've previously tested Pocketmath and evaluated Beeswax.

Pocketmath and Basis are roughly the same in terms of cost and inventory. However, Pocketmath's interface, while very attractive, is very difficult to use to deploy large scale campaigns quickly. It is definitely …
Chose Basis DSP
The primary reason for an agency or an SMB to use Basis is cost -- unlike other platforms which are full service or enterprise platforms with aggressively high minimums, Basis is well suited for proofs of concept and smaller campaigns. It can scale up, but the entry-level …
Chose Basis DSP
Basis DSP is much more user-friendly than DoubleClick and allows us to host our ads within their platform, rather than having to use DCM and DBM. Although DBM has more third party targeting options, the overall user experience of Basis DSP is far superior to DoubleClick.
Chose Basis DSP
SiteScout has much more control over our ads than other comparable platforms offer. We spend a bit of time configuring everything, but we're able to perform many A/B tests and really optimize our campaigns to a very detailed level.
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
Basis DSPStackAdapt
Small Businesses
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.7 out of 10
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.7 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
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.7 out of 10
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Adobe Advertising Cloud
Score 8.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Basis DSPStackAdapt
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.5
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Basis DSPStackAdapt
Likelihood to Recommend
Basis DSP is well suited to every type of campaign imaginable. My firm specializes in outreach and education campaigns and we use Basis DSP in order to turn people out to events and to take specific actions. Basis has changed how we do business for the better. The hyperlocal campaigns, native campaigns, and audio campaigns have all added excellent additional capabilities to our tool box and have allowed us to complete very compelling campaigns for our clients.
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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
  • Customer Service and Support is fantastic. Always willing to educate our team and help us get the most value out of the platform.
  • The ad fraud features are great. Through DV360 we need to use a third-party which comes with additional costs.
  • Easy to use platform.
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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
  • Managed service is a little pricey and tends to have slightly lower performance
  • interface is very 90's, could use a real facelift purely from an aesthetic perspective
  • Reports are continually being updated but could use some refinement in output for client-facing reports
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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
It's pretty basic, nothing is hidden and nothing ever moves so you can count on finding what you are looking for each day
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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
We have a dedicated account rep. She makes it seem like we are her only client, she is very responsive, helps each time we have a question and understands our campaign goals. Anytime we need support, our rep is available either email or call and if she is not going to be available, she will let us know ahead of time to provide back up and inform them of our current campaigns so they can better assist us.
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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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Implementation Rating
There are a ton of tactics and strategy to implement in the DSP platform. There isn't really a selection of the different types of campaigns or tactics to choose from, you just have to learn as you go. Once you figure out the strategy and goal of the campaign it is very easy to implement the tactic and to achieve its goals.
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Basis [DSP] has much better fraud control than SmartyAds DSP. Even though they do not have the amount of supply inventory as Smarty, they have much more controls for invalid traffic and bots which is very important to minimize discrepancies and issues with clients. Compared to other DSPs though, it lags on performance solutions.
Read full review
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
  • Basis DSP allows us to reach users in many different places while controlling costs - access to major exchanges at a competitive bid rate allows us to provide a lot of added-value to clients without dramatically increasing the cost they incur.
  • The team is friendly, helpful, and responsive, so we don't have a lot of situations where we're locked in campaign downtime due to a customer service issue with negative downstream impacts to the bottom line.
  • Periodic reporting outages have resulted in campaigns that overpace and incur needless costs (however, this is certainly an exception, not the rule).
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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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