Connected TV platforms let you show video ads on smart TVs, streaming devices, and apps, with targeting that broadcast TV cannot match. Roku Advertising and Samsung Ads give you access to large audiences on their own devices, which suits brands that want reach on a single platform. The Trade Desk and StackAdapt are demand side platforms that buy connected TV ads across many publishers from one console.
We compared 7 options for best ctv platforms. Each profile below lists the price, free plan, pros and cons as published by the company.
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Best ctv platforms: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roku Advertising | reach on Roku devices | quote only | No | Visit |
| 2 | The Trade Desk | programmatic buying at scale | quote only | No | Visit |
| 3 | MNTN | performance TV for smaller brands | quote only | No | Visit |
| 4 | StackAdapt | multi channel programmatic ads | quote only | No | Visit |
| 5 | Vibe | self serve CTV for small budgets | quote only | No | Visit |
| 6 | LG Ad Solutions | reach on LG smart TVs | quote only | No | Visit |
| 7 | Samsung Ads | reach on Samsung smart TVs | quote only | No | Visit |
The 7 best best ctv platforms, in detail
Roku Advertising
Best for: reach on Roku devices
Roku Advertising lets brands show ads on Roku devices and the Roku Channel, which reach a large share of US streaming households. The platform uses first party data from Roku accounts to target by interests, location, and viewing habits, and it offers formats from standard video ads to interactive and shoppable ads. Roku also provides measurement tools that link ad exposure to website visits and purchases, which helps performance focused advertisers.
- The main limits are reach and price.
- Roku ads only reach Roku households, so a campaign that needs a wider audience must buy elsewhere too.
- Pricing is quote based and depends on the audience, the format, and the campaign length.
- If your audience watches on Roku and you want a large, targeted reach on one platform, Roku Advertising is a strong choice.
Pros
- access to a large audience on Roku devices
- strong first party data for targeting
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the audience is limited to Roku households
The Trade Desk
Best for: programmatic buying at scale
The Trade Desk is a demand side platform that lets advertisers buy connected TV ads across many publishers, streaming services, and apps from a single console. You can target by audience, context, and geography, set frequency caps, and measure results with the platform reporting tools. The Trade Desk also offers identity tools and retail media integrations, which help advertisers connect ad exposure to sales.
- It is used by agencies and large brands that run programmatic campaigns at scale.
- The platform is built for experienced buyers with a real budget, and pricing is quote based.
- Small advertisers may find the minimum spend and the learning curve hard to justify, and the self serve interface takes time to learn.
- If you run programmatic campaigns across channels and you want connected TV in the same platform, The Trade Desk is a leading choice.
Pros
- buys connected TV ads across many publishers
- strong targeting and measurement tools
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the platform suits larger budgets and experienced buyers
MNTN
Best for: performance TV for smaller brands
MNTN, formerly Mountain, is a connected TV advertising platform built for performance minded brands. It offers self serve campaign setup, household level targeting, and reporting that links ad exposure to website visits and conversions. The platform includes creative services and audience tools, which help smaller teams launch a TV campaign without a large agency.
- MNTN suits direct to consumer brands and other advertisers that need to show a return on their TV spend.
- The trade off is cost and scale.
- MNTN pricing is quote based, and the minimum spend can be high for a very small brand.
- The audience is also bought through programmatic inventory, so the reach depends on the campaign settings.
Pros
- self serve platform with performance reporting
- targets households and measures site visits
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the minimum spend can be high for very small brands
StackAdapt
Best for: multi channel programmatic ads
StackAdapt is a multi channel programmatic platform that lets advertisers buy connected TV ads alongside display, native, video, and audio ads. That breadth suits teams that want one platform for a full funnel campaign, with connected TV for reach and display for retargeting. The platform offers audience building, contextual targeting, and reporting across channels, and it is used by agencies and brands that run programmatic campaigns at scale.
- The main barriers are price and complexity.
- StackAdapt pricing is quote based, and the platform is built for professional buyers rather than first time advertisers.
- The self serve interface is powerful but takes time to learn.
- If you run multi channel campaigns and you want connected TV in the same platform as your other formats, StackAdapt is a strong choice.
Pros
- buys CTV alongside display, video, and native ads
- strong audience and contextual tools
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the platform suits agencies and larger advertisers
Vibe
Best for: self serve CTV for small budgets
Vibe is a self serve connected TV advertising platform built for small and mid size advertisers. You can set up a campaign in minutes, choose an audience, upload a creative, and set a budget, without talking to sales first. The platform buys inventory across streaming services and apps, and it reports on impressions, reach, and website visits.
- Vibe suits brands that want to test connected TV with a small budget before they commit to a larger campaign.
- The limits are inventory and scale.
- Vibe does not have the same reach as The Trade Desk or a device maker such as Roku, and the pricing varies by campaign, so you need to check the cost
- The targeting is also simpler than a full demand side platform.
Pros
- self serve buying with low minimums
- simple campaign setup for small teams
Cons
- the inventory is smaller than a large demand side platform, and pricing varies by campaign
LG Ad Solutions
Best for: reach on LG smart TVs
LG Ad Solutions lets advertisers reach households that watch on LG smart TVs, through the webOS platform. The formats include home screen ads, native ads, and video ads inside streaming apps, which give brands a place on the TV home screen as well as inside content. LG uses first party data from its devices to target by interests and viewing habits, and it offers measurement tools that link exposure to outcomes.
- The platform suits brands that want a premium placement on the TV itself.
- The audience is limited to LG households, so it is not a standalone solution for a national campaign.
- Pricing is quote based and depends on the format, the audience, and the campaign length.
- If your audience uses LG TVs and you want a home screen placement that other platforms cannot offer, LG Ad Solutions is worth a look.
Pros
- access to LG smart TV households
- home screen and native ad formats
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the audience is limited to LG devices
Samsung Ads
Best for: reach on Samsung smart TVs
Samsung Ads lets brands advertise on Samsung smart TVs, which are the most widely sold TVs in many markets. The platform offers video ads, home screen placements, and featured content inside the Samsung TV Plus service, and it uses first party data from Samsung devices to target audiences. The measurement tools link ad exposure to app installs, website visits, and purchases, which helps advertisers show the value of a TV campaign.
- Samsung Ads suits brands that want a large, premium TV audience.
- The reach is limited to Samsung households, and pricing is quote based, so the cost depends on the format and the campaign.
- A brand that needs a national audience will need to buy across several platforms.
- If your audience watches on Samsung TVs, Samsung Ads gives you a large and well measured reach.
Pros
- access to a large Samsung smart TV audience
- strong data for targeting and measurement
Cons
- pricing is quote based and the audience is limited to Samsung households
How we chose
We compared product documentation, feature lists, and pricing pages for each platform, and we checked the starting price on the vendor site before including it. Platforms with unpublished pricing are listed as quote only rather than given an estimated figure. We did not run hands on tests or create accounts, and we did not use review scores or star ratings to rank the tools. The list favors platforms that buy or sell connected TV inventory, publish clear targeting and measurement features, and cover the main buying models from self serve to programmatic.
Which platform fits your budget
| Budget | Best pick | Notes | | Small test budget | Vibe | self serve, low minimums | | Mid size brand | MNTN | performance reporting, self serve | | Large agency campaign | The Trade Desk or StackAdapt | programmatic buying at scale | | Device specific reach | Roku, LG, or Samsung Ads | large audience on one device family |
Frequently asked questions
What is a CTV platform?
A connected TV platform is a service that lets advertisers show video ads on smart TVs, streaming devices, and apps. The ads appear on services such as Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and other streaming apps, and they are targeted using data from the device or the viewer. Unlike broadcast TV, connected TV ads can be bought programmatically, targeted to specific households, and measured against website visits and sales.
How much does CTV advertising cost?
Most CTV platforms price by quote or by campaign budget, and the cost depends on the audience, the format, and the length of the campaign. Self serve platforms such as Vibe have lower minimums and suit a small test budget. Device makers and demand side platforms usually need a larger budget. Ask each platform for its minimum spend and the cost per thousand impressions for your audience before you compare prices.
Is CTV better than traditional TV advertising?
Connected TV offers targeting and measurement that broadcast TV cannot match, since you can target specific households and link exposure to outcomes. Broadcast TV still offers larger reach in a single buy and suits mass awareness campaigns. Many brands use both: broadcast TV for broad reach and connected TV for targeted audiences and measurable performance. The right mix depends on your audience and your goal.
Can small businesses advertise on connected TV?
Yes, self serve platforms such as Vibe and MNTN make connected TV accessible to smaller brands, with simple campaign setup and lower minimums than a traditional TV buy. You need a video creative that meets TV specs, a clear audience, and a budget you can test with. Start with a small test campaign, measure the results, and scale only if the numbers work.
What is the difference between CTV and OTT?
Connected TV refers to the device, such as a smart TV or a streaming stick, while over the top refers to the content delivered over the internet rather than through cable or broadcast. In practice, advertisers use the two terms for the same thing: video ads shown on a TV through a streaming service. The buying and targeting work the same way, so the distinction matters less than the audience and the inventory.
Sources
- https://advertising.roku.com/
- https://www.thetradedesk.com/
- https://mountain.com/
- https://mountain.com/pricing
- https://www.stackadapt.com/
- https://www.stackadapt.com/pricing
- https://www.vibe.co/
- https://www.vibe.co/pricing
- https://www.lgads.tv/
- https://www.samsungads.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.