Skip to main content

Head to head · Best Ad Networks for Publishers

Amazon Publisher Services (APS) vs Publift

Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Publift score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.

Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 3.8 out of 5 and Publift scores 3.9 out of 5, compared across overall score, capability, publisher fit, total cost of ownership, target market and pricing.
CriterionAmazon Publisher Services (APS)Strong ChoicePubliftStrong Choice
Overall score3.83.9
Capability45% of composite3.73.8
Publisher fit40% of composite4.54.5
Total cost of ownership15% of composite2.32.8— higher score for Publift
Best forMid-Market, EnterpriseMid-Market, Enterprise
PricingRevenue share, rate not publicly disclosedOperates on a revenue share model, typically an 80/20 split (80% to the publisher). Minimum requirements include 500,000 monthly pageviews or $2,000 in monthly ad revenue.

Amazon Publisher Services (APS)

  • Direct access to Amazon advertiser demand
  • Server-side setup can reduce page latency
  • Backed by Amazon's infrastructure
  • Limited transparency into fee structure
  • Primarily benefits publishers with scale for Amazon demand
Full Amazon Publisher Services (APS) review

Publift

  • Publishers typically see 40-70% revenue uplift from managed header bidding
  • Google Certified Publishing Partner and committed support
  • No lock-in contracts
  • Best suited for traffic from Tier 1 regions
  • Revenue share model for some publishers is less attractive compared with fixed-fee alternatives
Full Publift review
Visit Publift

Common questions

Is Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or Publift better?

Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Publift score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality. Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 3.8/5 and Publift scores 3.9/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.

Which is cheaper, Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or Publift?

On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Amazon Publisher Services (APS) scores 2.3/5 and Publift scores 2.8/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.

How are these scores calculated?

Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.

Still deciding?

Answer four questions about your publication and we'll recommend a full stack — with the reasoning for each pick and what it will cost.

Next UpPerfect follow-up read