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Head-to-head · Supply Side Platforms

Index Exchange vs Media.net

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Index Exchange #3 in Supply Side Platforms 7.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Index Exchange
Media.net #5 in Supply Side Platforms 7.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 2 features Contact Media.net

Index Exchange leads on 0 checks, Media.net on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIndex Exchange · 7.7/10

Index Exchange scores higher on our rubric for supply side platforms: 7.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Index Exchange is the better fit for publishers prioritizing exchange and deal reporting. Media.net is the better fit for publishers seeking managed Prebid and contextual demand.

  • Index Exchange fits best

    Publishers prioritizing exchange and deal reporting

  • Media.net fits best

    Publishers seeking managed Prebid and contextual demand

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Index Exchange 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Media.net 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 7.1
Ranking #3 in Supply Side Platforms #5 in Supply Side Platforms
Best for Publishers prioritizing exchange and deal reporting Publishers seeking managed Prebid and contextual demand
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets Email, Docs
Compliance GDPR GDPR
Integrations 7 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Index Exchange 2/2 · Media.net 2/2
Header bidding support ✓ ✓
Private marketplace deals ✓ ✓
Specs
Inventory channels web, mobile apps, streaming TV (STV) apps web, AMP, in-app
Auction types first-price, fixed-price; private auctions/deals real-time auctions
Ad formats banner, video (instream, outstream, rewarded where supported), native display, native, video, text, push, image, rich media, expandable
Reporting detail Advanced Advanced
Our review
Pros
  • Supports direct integrations, Prebid.js and Prebid Server connections.
  • Offers direct, programmatic-guaranteed and marketplace deals.
  • Provides customizable reports, a Reporting API and audit logs.
  • Managed Prebid with real-time auctions and Google Ad Manager integration
  • Contextual display, native and video demand across web, AMP and in-app
  • Yield optimization, ad-quality controls and drill-down reporting
Cons
  • Pricing is sales-led rather than self-serve.
  • Inventory quality review is required before publisher onboarding.
  • Available formats depend on integration, and support is ticket-based.
  • Pricing is handled through sales rather than published standard plans
  • Reporting access through OpenBidder is in the publisher's OB interface
  • Its broad ad-format mix may exceed the needs of publishers seeking a narrow tool
Our verdict

Index Exchange connects publishers and other media owners with buyers through programmatic auctions and negotiated deals. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise publishers that want to sell web, mobile app or streaming TV inventory…

Read the review →

Media.net is a sell-side platform for publishers monetizing inventory across web, AMP and in-app environments. It connects publishers and advertisers through real-time auctions, with contextual advertising based on page content and user…

Read the review →
  1. Index ExchangeSupply Side Platforms 7.7Pricing on request
  2. Media.netSupply Side Platforms 7.1Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Index Exchange — where it wins

    • Supports direct integrations, Prebid.js and Prebid Server connections.
    • Offers direct, programmatic-guaranteed and marketplace deals.
    • Provides customizable reports, a Reporting API and audit logs.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is sales-led rather than self-serve.
    • Inventory quality review is required before publisher onboarding.
    • Available formats depend on integration, and support is ticket-based.

  • Media.net — where it wins

    • Managed Prebid with real-time auctions and Google Ad Manager integration
    • Contextual display, native and video demand across web, AMP and in-app
    • Yield optimization, ad-quality controls and drill-down reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through sales rather than published standard plans
    • Reporting access through OpenBidder is in the publisher's OB interface
    • Its broad ad-format mix may exceed the needs of publishers seeking a narrow tool

More comparisons

All supply side platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update