Head to head · Best Ad Networks for Publishers
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) vs Sovrn
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Sovrn score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.
| Criterion | Amazon Publisher Services (APS)Strong Choice | SovrnStrong Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.7— higher score for Amazon Publisher Services (APS) | 3.2 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 2.3 | 3.7— higher score for Sovrn |
| Best for | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Small, Mid-Market |
| Pricing | Revenue share, rate not publicly disclosed | Primarily revenue-share based for ad exchange and commerce tools; custom enterprise pricing for data and SaaS solutions. |
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
Sovrn
- No minimum traffic requirement
- Multiple avenues of earning revenue - programmatic ads and affiliate monetization
- Low $25 minimum payout threshold ideal for smaller publishers
- Lower eCPM rates for non-US traffic
- NET 90 payment schedule is longer than most competitors
Common questions
Is Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or Sovrn better?
Amazon Publisher Services (APS) and Sovrn 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 Sovrn scores 3.8/5 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 Sovrn?
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 Sovrn scores 3.7/5. 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.
Both tools are scored in Best Ad Networks for Publishers. See alternatives to Amazon Publisher Services (APS) or alternatives to Sovrn.