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CTV Ad Finder

THE TUNING DESK

CTV ad platform finder: which streaming TV ad platform fits how you buy?

QUICK ANSWER

Streaming TV ad platforms come in four types: multi-channel DSPs, publisher ad managers, CTV performance platforms, and platforms that buy streaming and linear TV together. Which fits depends on how you commit budget, who runs campaigns, what measurement must prove, which streaming services you need, who is buying and how much AI you want. The six-question finder points you to a type and shows which of 10 platforms' published facts match, with no scores and no rankings.

Use the platform finderRead the four types

By The Tuning Desk · CTV Ad Finder · Published 2026-10-18

Built only from each platform's own public pages. We opened no accounts, bought no media and held no demos or vendor interviews.

What are the four types of CTV ad platform?

Multi-channel DSPs

Demand-side platforms that buy streaming TV next to display, audio, video and other channels from one account.

Described by Amazon DSP (now part of Amazon Ads Agent), StackAdapt, The Trade Desk

Read about DSPs

Publisher ad managers

Ad tools run by a streaming service or TV network owner that sell that owner's inventory, such as Hulu and Disney+ or Roku.

Described by Disney Campaign Manager (formerly Hulu Ad Manager), Roku Ads Manager, Universal Ads; partly by Amazon DSP

Read about Publisher tools

CTV performance platforms

Streaming-TV-first platforms built around self-serve buying and outcome measurement: site visits, conversions and lift.

Described by MNTN, tvScientific (tvScientific by Pinterest), Vibe (vibe.co); partly by Tatari

Read about CTV performance

Streaming plus linear TV

Platforms that plan, buy and measure streaming and traditional linear TV together, often with optional help from the platform's team.

Described by Tatari; partly by tvScientific, Universal Ads

Read about Streaming plus linear

What does the finder ask?

  1. 01 / 06

    How do you want to commit budget?

    Streaming TV can be bought as a short pilot, on outcome terms, or as a planned budget with a contract.

  2. 02 / 06

    Who will run the campaigns day to day?

    Self-serve means your team sets up, buys and optimizes inside the platform.

  3. 03 / 06

    What does measurement need to prove?

    Lift needs a comparison group. Attribution ties exposure to visits or sales. Delivery shows the ads ran.

  4. 04 / 06

    Which inventory matters most?

    Some streaming services sell ads only through their own tools or selected partners.

  5. 05 / 06

    Who is buying?

    Large brands and agencies often need verification partners, invoicing and several accounts.

  6. 06 / 06

    How should AI and automation fit in?

    From automated bidding to planning and changing campaigns in plain language.

Example: a brand team piloting streaming TV without a long-term commitment, running it in-house, needing to prove incremental lift, wanting wide reach and happy with automated optimization.

Lower on your listMulti-channel DSPs3 ptsAlso worth a lookPublisher ad managers4 ptsStart hereCTV performance platforms8 ptsLower on your listStreaming plus linear TV2 pts

Start here: CTV performance platforms. First equal-fit group: Vibe.

Try it with your answers

Do different buyers get different answers?

Scroll the table sideways

Computed from the published rules for eight example buyers. Change any answer in the finder to see your own result.
BuyerStart hereFirst equal-fit group
A brand team piloting streaming TV that wants to prove liftCTV performance platformsVibe
A large brand with a planned budget that needs lift tests and verificationMulti-channel DSPsVibe
An agency buying streaming TV with other channels for clientsMulti-channel DSPsStackAdapt
A brand that wants Disney+ or Hulu and hands-on controlPublisher ad managersDisney Campaign Manager and Vibe
A large brand that needs Prime VideoMulti-channel DSPsAmazon DSP
A large brand that needs NetflixMulti-channel DSPsAmazon DSP, MNTN and The Trade Desk
A brand buying streaming and linear TV togetherStreaming plus linear TVTatari
A brand that wants to pay for outcomesCTV performance platformstvScientific

What does each platform state about itself?

  • Stated on the platform's pages
  • Partly stated
  • Not on the pages we read

Scroll the table sideways

As stated on each platform's own pages. Alphabetical order.
PlatformTypeHow you buyTest card
Amazon DSPMulti-channel DSPsAmazon's page describes Amazon DSP "with self-service and managed-service options", available to advertisers who do and do not sell on Amazon.Amazon DSP test card: stated 4 of 8, partly 0, not on the pages we read 4.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Stated
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Stated
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Not on the pages we read
  • Named measurement partners: Not on the pages we read
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Stated
Disney Campaign ManagerPublisher ad managersSelf-serve: "launch, measure, and optimize Hulu and Disney+ campaigns", paid by credit card.Disney Campaign Manager test card: stated 1 of 8, partly 1, not on the pages we read 6.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Partly
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Not on the pages we read
  • Named measurement partners: Not on the pages we read
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
MNTNCTV performance platformsThe homepage footer shows "Self-Serve Platform", "No Minimums" and "Cancel Anytime", with "Request Demo" and "Sign Up Now" buttons.MNTN test card: stated 5 of 8, partly 0, not on the pages we read 3.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Stated
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Stated
  • Named measurement partners: Stated
  • Brand-safety partner named: Stated
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
Roku Ads ManagerPublisher ad managersRoku's cost guide (February 25, 2026) walks through starting a campaign with your existing creative, setting an optional maximum bid and paying as the campaign delivers.Roku Ads Manager test card: stated 0 of 8, partly 2, not on the pages we read 6.
  • Self-serve buying: Partly
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Partly
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Not on the pages we read
  • Named measurement partners: Not on the pages we read
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
StackAdaptMulti-channel DSPsPlans: Basic (self-serve, sign up with a credit card), Grow (self-serve), and Scale, Accelerate and Enterprise ("Self-Serve or Managed").StackAdapt test card: stated 3 of 8, partly 1, not on the pages we read 4.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Stated
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Not on the pages we read
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Partly
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Stated
  • Named measurement partners: Not on the pages we read
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
TatariStreaming plus linear TVBrands launch "with optional strategy and services", and "Agencies can license the self-serve Tatari platform".Tatari test card: stated 4 of 8, partly 1, not on the pages we read 3.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Stated
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Partly
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Stated
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Stated
  • Named measurement partners: Not on the pages we read
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
The Trade DeskMulti-channel DSPsIts DSP page describes a "simple self-serve experience"; the homepage "Get started" button leads to a contact form (name, work email, company).The Trade Desk test card: stated 1 of 8, partly 3, not on the pages we read 4.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Not on the pages we read
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Partly
  • Named measurement partners: Partly
  • Brand-safety partner named: Partly
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
tvScientificCTV performance platformsHomepage buttons are "REQUEST A DEMO" and "Login"; the homepage says "you control where to activate" and calls the interface "as simple to use as paid search and social".tvScientific test card: stated 2 of 8, partly 2, not on the pages we read 4.
  • Self-serve buying: Partly
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Not on the pages we read
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Stated
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Stated
  • Named measurement partners: Partly
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
Universal AdsPublisher ad managers"Self-Serve CTV & TV Advertising Platform" with a "familiar, self-serve workflow" and "Launch in Minutes".Universal Ads test card: stated 1 of 8, partly 2, not on the pages we read 5.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Not on the pages we read
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Not on the pages we read
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Not on the pages we read
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Partly
  • Named measurement partners: Partly
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Not on the pages we read
VibeCTV performance platformsSelf-serve ("Get started with Vibe in minutes", plus "Book a demo"), with "Campaign Management (On Demand)" listed on the pricing page for teams that want help.Vibe test card: stated 7 of 8, partly 0, not on the pages we read 1.
  • Self-serve buying: Stated
  • Managed service option: Stated
  • No-commitment or no-minimum terms: Stated
  • Incrementality or lift testing: Stated
  • Attribution to visits or sales: Stated
  • Named measurement partners: Stated
  • Brand-safety partner named: Not on the pages we read
  • Campaigns in plain language: Stated

Can you buy Netflix or Prime Video through these platforms?

0 of the 10 platforms we profile name Netflix on the pages we read, and Amazon DSP names Prime Video. Netflix's own advertiser site leads with a contact form. Disney+ and Hulu are named by Disney Campaign Manager and Vibe.

See the inventory column on the fact sheet

How is this different from a list of top platforms?

We do not score or rank platforms. The finder applies published rules to your answers: first to weigh the four types, then to check each platform's published facts against your situation. Two buyers with different answers see different orders, and platforms with the same fit are shown as equals. The rules are the same for every platform and are written out on How the finder decides.

How the finder decides

Where to go next

Answer six questionsPlan a CTV pilot step by stepUnderstand lift, holdouts and attributionPut platforms' facts side by side

Frequently asked questions

What is a CTV ad platform finder?

A short questionnaire that matches how you buy, such as your budget terms, measurement needs and inventory, to the type of streaming TV ad platform that suits you, and then shows which platforms' own pages describe what you need.

Is there one CTV platform every advertiser should use?

No. An agency buying several channels, a brand that must run on Prime Video and a brand that wants to prove lift with holdout tests will each be pointed to different platforms. The finder shows the fit for your answers.

Does this site rank CTV ad platforms?

No. There are no scores, totals or winners. Platforms are listed alphabetically, or in order of fit to your finder answers, and equal fits are shown as equals.

Is any platform a client?

No. The same rules apply to every platform, and each profile lists its limits. Vibe's profile, for example, lists including that Netflix and Prime Video are not listed on its channel page, that no brand-safety partner is named and that fees are not published.