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Amazon DSP vs The Trade Desk: what each platform's own pages state
QUICK ANSWER
Amazon DSP is described as multi-channel DSPs; The Trade Desk as multi-channel DSPs. Of our 19 checks, both state 2: self-serve buying and other channels in the same platform. Only Amazon DSP states managed service option, no-commitment or no-minimum terms, campaigns in plain language, enterprise terms or account team and Prime Video listed; only The Trade Desk states AI or automated optimization. This page compares what each publishes, not how well either performs.
By The Tuning Desk · CTV Ad Finder · Published 2026-10-18
Built only from each platform's own public pages. We opened no accounts, bought no media and held no demos or vendor interviews.
Amazon DSP (now part of Amazon Ads Agent)
- 01Self-serve buying Stated
"with self-service and managed-service options"
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- 02Managed service option Stated
Managed service through an account executive; the About us FAQ says these campaigns typically require a $50,000 (US) minimum.
Source: Amazon Ads: About us (FAQ)
- 03No-commitment or no-minimum terms Stated
"DVA+ uses cost per mille (CPM) billing with no minimum spend."
- 04Incrementality or lift testing Not on the pages we read
- 05Attribution to visits or sales Not on the pages we read
- 06Named measurement partners Not on the pages we read
- 07Brand-safety partner named Not on the pages we read
- 08Campaigns in plain language Stated
Amazon Ads Agent: a "conversational experience" to plan, create, optimize and measure campaigns in natural language.
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Stated on the platform's pages
- Partly stated
- Not on the pages we read
The Trade Desk
- 01Self-serve buying Stated
The DSP page describes a "simple self-serve experience".
- 02Managed service option Not on the pages we read
- 03No-commitment or no-minimum terms Not on the pages we read
- 04Incrementality or lift testing Not on the pages we read
- 05Attribution to visits or sales Partly
Measurement through a marketplace of measurement partners, online and in-store.
Source: The Trade Desk homepage
- 06Named measurement partners Partly
A marketplace of measurement partners; partner names are not on the pages we read.
Source: The Trade Desk homepage
- 07Brand-safety partner named Partly
States a marketplace of "data, measurement, brand safety, and inventory providers"; names are not on the pages we read.
- 08Campaigns in plain language Not on the pages we read
- Stated on the platform's pages
- Partly stated
- Not on the pages we read
How do Amazon DSP and The Trade Desk compare on the published facts?
Scroll the table sideways
| Fact | Amazon DSP | The Trade Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Amazon Ads. Amazon's page says "Amazon DSP is now part of Amazon Ads Agent", with programmatic buying available through "DVA+" (Display, Video, Audio). Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | A public company with an investor relations site. |
| How you buy | Amazon's page describes Amazon DSP "with self-service and managed-service options", available to advertisers who do and do not sell on Amazon. Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | Its DSP page describes a "simple self-serve experience"; the homepage "Get started" button leads to a contact form (name, work email, company). |
| Entry terms | "DVA+ uses cost per mille (CPM) billing with no minimum spend." Amazon Ads' About us FAQ says managed-service campaigns run through an account executive "typically require a minimum spend of $50,000 (US)". Source: Amazon Ads: About us (FAQ) | No public pricing or minimum on the pages we read. Source: The Trade Desk homepage |
| Pricing | CPM billing for DVA+. A platform fee percentage is not stated on the pages we read. Not published | Fees are not stated on the pages we read. Not published |
| Inventory | Exclusive inventory on "Prime Video, Twitch, Thursday Night Football, Amazon.com, and Fire TV", plus "thousands of premium third-party sites and apps". Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | An omnichannel DSP for audio, connected TV, digital out-of-home, mobile, display, native and video. It states "we don't own or operate media". Named CTV publishers are not stated on the pages we read. Not published |
| Measurement | Measurement partners and incrementality testing are not described on the pages we read. Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | A marketplace of measurement partners, online and in-store. Partner names are not on the pages we read. Source: The Trade Desk homepage |
| AI and automation | Amazon Ads Agent is described as a "conversational experience" to plan, create, optimize and measure campaigns in natural language. Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | Kokai, which The Trade Desk says "analyzes up to 15 million ad opportunities each second". |
Check by check
Scroll the table sideways
| Check | Amazon DSP | The Trade Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Self-serve buying | Stated | Stated |
| Managed service option | Stated | Not on the pages we read |
| No-commitment or no-minimum terms | Stated | Not on the pages we read |
| Incrementality or lift testing | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Attribution to visits or sales | Not on the pages we read | Partly |
| Named measurement partners | Not on the pages we read | Partly |
| Brand-safety partner named | Not on the pages we read | Partly |
| Campaigns in plain language | Stated | Not on the pages we read |
| Outcome or CPA pricing option | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Enterprise terms or account team | Stated | Partly |
| Agency licensing or multi-account access | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Netflix listed | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Prime Video listed | Stated | Not on the pages we read |
| Disney+ or Hulu listed | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Published reach or channel count | Partly | Not on the pages we read |
| Linear TV buying | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Other channels in the same platform | Stated | Stated |
| AI or automated optimization | Not on the pages we read | Stated |
| Manual bid or delivery controls | Partly | Not on the pages we read |
Amazon DSP notes
- Self-serve buying Stated
"with self-service and managed-service options"
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Managed service option Stated
Managed service through an account executive; the About us FAQ says these campaigns typically require a $50,000 (US) minimum.
Source: Amazon Ads: About us (FAQ)
- No-commitment or no-minimum terms Stated
"DVA+ uses cost per mille (CPM) billing with no minimum spend."
- Campaigns in plain language Stated
Amazon Ads Agent: a "conversational experience" to plan, create, optimize and measure campaigns in natural language.
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Enterprise terms or account team Stated
Managed-service campaigns run through an Amazon account executive, per the About us FAQ.
Source: Amazon Ads: About us (FAQ)
- Prime Video listed Stated
Lists exclusive inventory on Prime Video, Twitch, Thursday Night Football, Amazon.com and Fire TV.
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Published reach or channel count Partly
"thousands of premium third-party sites and apps"; no household reach figure on the page we read.
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Other channels in the same platform Stated
Programmatic buying through DVA+: display, video and audio.
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
- Manual bid or delivery controls Partly
DVA+ offers "advanced settings".
Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP
The Trade Desk notes
- Self-serve buying Stated
The DSP page describes a "simple self-serve experience".
- Attribution to visits or sales Partly
Measurement through a marketplace of measurement partners, online and in-store.
Source: The Trade Desk homepage
- Named measurement partners Partly
A marketplace of measurement partners; partner names are not on the pages we read.
Source: The Trade Desk homepage
- Brand-safety partner named Partly
States a marketplace of "data, measurement, brand safety, and inventory providers"; names are not on the pages we read.
- Enterprise terms or account team Partly
"Get started" leads to a sales contact form.
Source: The Trade Desk homepage
- Other channels in the same platform Stated
Audio, connected TV, digital out-of-home, mobile, display, native and video.
- AI or automated optimization Stated
Kokai "analyzes up to 15 million ad opportunities each second".
Who might shortlist each?
Amazon DSP fits if: Prime Video or Thursday Night Football inventory is a must, or you want streaming TV next to display and audio in one Amazon account.
Look elsewhere if: you want named third-party measurement partners or incrementality testing described on the platform's own pages.
The Trade Desk fits if: your team or agency already buys programmatic media and wants CTV in the same seat.
Look elsewhere if: you want to sign up and launch without a sales conversation.
Which limits does each list?
Amazon DSP
- LimitManaged service through an account executive typically requires a $50,000 (US) minimum, per Amazon Ads' FAQ.
- LimitA platform fee percentage is not stated on the pages we read.
- LimitMeasurement partners and incrementality testing are not described on the pages we read.
The Trade Desk
- LimitNo public pricing, fees or minimum on the pages we read; access starts with a contact form.
- LimitNamed CTV publishers and measurement partners are not on the pages we read.
- LimitA managed service option is not described on the pages we read.