AppSpike vs Chartboost

Chartboost is one demand source. AppSpike is 29 networks competing in a neutral auction with on-device optimization.

Feature Comparison

The Core Problem with Chartboost

Chartboost is a single demand source, not a mediation platform. Using Chartboost alone means every impression is filled by one buyer — there's no competition, no auction pressure, and no way to know if you're leaving money on the table.

Even Chartboost's limited mediation capabilities don't solve this. Their SDK was built to serve Chartboost ads, not to run a neutral auction across dozens of demand sources.

AppSpike includes Chartboost as one of 29 competing networks. When Chartboost has to compete against AdMob, AppLovin, Meta, Unity, Amazon, and 23 other networks for every impression, you get the true market price — not just what one buyer is willing to pay.

What Doesn't Change When You Switch

You don't lose Chartboost's demand. You keep it.

• Your Chartboost account stays active
• Chartboost continues to compete for impressions through the AppSpike adapter
• Your existing direct deals and campaigns keep running
• The difference: Chartboost now competes alongside 28 other networks — and only wins when it's the highest bidder

Where Chartboost Falls Short

1. Single Demand Source

Chartboost is one ad network. One buyer per impression means no auction pressure, no competitive bidding, and systematically lower eCPMs. AppSpike connects 29 demand sources into a single real-time auction. More bidders means higher eCPMs.

2. No Inventory Intelligence

Chartboost shows ads where you place them, when you trigger them. It doesn't optimize what type of ad to show, when to show it, or how often. AppSpike's optimization engine analyzes real signals — eCPMs, fill rates, user behavior — to optimize ad timing, frequency, and format per session.

3. Limited Format Support

Chartboost supports interstitial, rewarded, and banner formats, but does not offer native, app open, or rewarded interstitial ads. AppSpike adds those missing formats on top of everything Chartboost already provides — all through a single integration across 29 networks.

4. Gaming-Only Focus

Chartboost was built for mobile games and has limited fill and demand outside that vertical. If your portfolio includes utility apps, content apps, or social apps, Chartboost won't serve those well. AppSpike works across all verticals with full demand coverage.

5. No On-Device Optimization

Chartboost has no on-device optimization layer. It doesn't pre-load ads based on session signals, doesn't adapt to user behavior, and doesn't optimize delivery timing. AppSpike's on-device model evaluates connection quality, session depth, and placement history to trigger pre-fetching at the right time — so ads are ready without letting high-value bids expire.

Revenue Impact

Studios that switch from Chartboost-only to AppSpike typically see:

The lift comes from three places: demand competition across 29 networks instead of one, smarter ad timing through on-device optimization, and fewer missed impressions through predictive pre-loading.

Migration Path

AppSpike replaces Chartboost as your ad layer, but keeps Chartboost competing for impressions:

1. Add the AppSpike SDK and adapters for each ad network you want to compete (including Chartboost)
2. Initialize with your App ID
3. Replace Chartboost ad load calls with AppSpike.loadInterstitialAd(), AppSpike.loadRewardedVideoAd(), etc.
4. Chartboost continues to compete — it just has to win the auction against 28 other networks now

See the full Android integration guide for step-by-step instructions.

When Chartboost Alone Makes Sense

If your app is a small mobile game with under 1,000 DAU and you have an existing direct deal with Chartboost that guarantees a minimum eCPM, sticking with Chartboost alone may be simpler. Chartboost is also reasonable if you're exclusively using their cross-promotion tools to move users between games in your own portfolio and don't need external demand.

For everyone else — any game or app with meaningful ad inventory — adding full mediation through AppSpike is a straightforward revenue upgrade.

Bottom Line

Chartboost is a single ad network with strong roots in gaming, but relying on one demand source means you're leaving money on the table. AppSpike lets you keep Chartboost's demand while adding 28 more competing networks, on-device optimization, and a unified analytics dashboard — all in under an hour.