Head to head
Roku Ads Manager vs StackAdapt: which CTV platform fits your campaign?
Short answer
On our published weights StackAdapt scores 7.00 and Roku Ads Manager scores 3.90. Roku Ads Manager scores higher on pricing and commitment clarity; StackAdapt scores higher on launch access, outcome measurement, incrementality and lift testing, control and automation, published inventory reach and enterprise and agency readiness. The better fit depends on which of those criteria matter most to your campaign.
By The Playback Desk · Best CTV Ad Platforms · Published 2026-10-15
Desk research from public vendor pages. Editorial assessment; we did not run campaigns on these platforms.
How do Roku Ads Manager and StackAdapt score criterion by criterion?
Scroll the table sideways
| Criterion | Weight | Roku Ads Manager | StackAdapt | Higher score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch access | 15% | 6 / 10 The cost guide describes starting with existing creative and a small budget; creative review takes 2–3 days. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 8 / 10 Basic is self-serve with sign-up and a credit card; Grow is also self-serve. StackAdapt plans and packages | StackAdapt |
| Outcome measurement | 20% | 3 / 10 Measurement is not described on the cost guide we read. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 8 / 10 Cross-device attribution to site visits and conversions, plus reach, frequency and VCR. StackAdapt connected TV advertising | StackAdapt |
| Incrementality and lift testing | 20% | 2 / 10 Not described on the page we read. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 6 / 10 Lists brand lift, sales lift and store visits; holdout or geo testing is not described on the CTV page. StackAdapt connected TV advertising | StackAdapt |
| Control and automation | 15% | 4 / 10 Dynamic CPM with an optional maximum bid, an AI video upscaler and Action Ads. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 6 / 10 Pod bidding, a live sports calendar and dynamic creative optimization; assistant access is not described. StackAdapt connected TV advertising | StackAdapt |
| Pricing and commitment clarity | 10% | 7 / 10 CPM, pay as the campaign delivers, no upfront payment and $500–$1,000 starting guidance; a platform fee is not stated. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 5 / 10 Plan tiers and payment terms are published with "no hidden tech fees", but no prices or minimum budget. StackAdapt plans and packages | Roku Ads Manager |
| Published inventory reach | 10% | 3 / 10 The page we read does not describe which apps or how many households the inventory reaches. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 7 / 10 Hundreds of networks with partners such as NBCUniversal, A+E Networks and Bell Media. StackAdapt connected TV advertising | StackAdapt |
| Enterprise and agency readiness | 10% | 4 / 10 Managed service and agency terms are not described on the page we read. Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku | 9 / 10 Scale, Accelerate and Enterprise plans offer self-serve or managed service, net terms, custom payment and Creative Studio services. StackAdapt plans and packages | StackAdapt |
| Total | 100% | 3.90 / 10 | 7.00 / 10 | StackAdapt |
What do they publish on pricing and minimums?
Roku Ads Manager
Minimum: Roku's cost guide (25 February 2026) says advertisers can start "with as little as $500" and that "$500–$1,000 is enough to get a campaign live" for most first-time advertisers. Guidance, not a stated hard minimum.
Source: Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku
Pricing model: "CPM pricing model"; "Pricing is dynamic"; no upfront payment, "Pay as your campaign delivers"; optional maximum bid. Platform fee: Not published.
Source: Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku
StackAdapt
Minimum: Not published
Source: StackAdapt plans and packages
Pricing model: Plan tiers with payment terms (credit card on Basic, net terms from Grow, custom on Enterprise); "no hidden tech fees". Prices: Not published.
Source: StackAdapt plans and packages
Which kinds of proof does each describe?
Roku Ads Manager
Proof Card · 0 of 4 proof types described
Outcome attribution: Not described
Incrementality or lift: Not described
Named measurement partners: Not described
Data access: Not described
StackAdapt
Proof Card · 2 of 4 proof types described
Outcome attribution: Described. Cross-device attribution to site visits and conversions.
Incrementality or lift: Described. Brand lift, sales lift and store visit measurement.
Named measurement partners: Not described
Data access: Not described
What inventory does each publish?
Roku Ads Manager
Not published on the cost guide we read.
Source: Roku Ads: How much does it cost to advertise on Roku
StackAdapt
"Hundreds of networks" for CTV, with partners including NBCUniversal, A+E Networks, Bell Media, Xumo, LG Ad Solutions and Philo, plus DOOH, display, native, audio, video and email in the same platform.
When should you choose Roku Ads Manager or StackAdapt?
Choose Roku Ads Manager if you want minimums, pricing model and commitment terms stated up front, or if you want to open an account and start without a sales process.
Fits: First-time TV advertisers who want to start with existing creative and a small test budget.
Choose StackAdapt if you need managed service, agency licensing or enterprise payment terms, or if detailed outcome attribution matters most to you.
Fits: Teams that buy CTV alongside other programmatic channels and want plan tiers from self-serve to managed.
Frequently asked questions
Which of Roku Ads Manager and StackAdapt scores higher on incrementality testing?
StackAdapt scores 6 and Roku Ads Manager scores 2 on incrementality and lift testing. Brand lift, sales lift and store visit measurement. Scores reflect what each vendor's pages describe, not a test we ran.
Which is easier to start with, Roku Ads Manager or StackAdapt?
StackAdapt scores 8 and Roku Ads Manager scores 6 on launch access. Roku Ads Manager: Get started with existing creative, per Roku's cost guide. StackAdapt: Self-serve (Basic and Grow) or self-serve and managed (Scale, Accelerate, Enterprise).
Can I run Roku Ads Manager and StackAdapt at the same time?
Yes. Many advertisers run a pilot on one platform against their current provider and compare results with a holdout or geo test. Keep the measurement method the same on both so the comparison is fair.