SSP Comparison

Stellor Media vs. Xandr (Microsoft) — Which SSP is Right for Your Site?

Comparing a publisher-focused SSP against Microsoft's enterprise programmatic platform for web display and video monetization.

Xandr is Microsoft's programmatic advertising platform, acquired from AT&T in 2021. Originally AppNexus (one of the pioneering programmatic platforms), Xandr serves as both an SSP (Xandr Invest for supply) and a DSP (Xandr Curate for buying), along with curation marketplace capabilities.

As part of Microsoft Advertising, Xandr benefits from integration with Microsoft's advertising ecosystem including LinkedIn, Bing, and MSN inventory. For publishers, Xandr's SSP provides access to Microsoft's demand ecosystem alongside traditional programmatic buyers.

Stellor Media is a publisher-first SSP focused on web publisher revenue optimization. Our dedicated account management, 48-hour onboarding, and yield optimization are designed specifically for the needs of web content publishers who want to maximize programmatic revenue.

Note: Xandr/Microsoft information is based on publicly available documentation. Platform capabilities and terms may change with Microsoft's ongoing integration efforts.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Stellor Media	Xandr (Microsoft)
Ownership	Independent publisher-first SSP	Microsoft (part of Microsoft Advertising)
Demand Ecosystem	50+ independent demand partners	Microsoft advertising ecosystem + programmatic marketplace
Publisher Focus	Web publisher revenue optimization	Enterprise publishers and Microsoft properties
Onboarding	48-hour managed setup	Enterprise integration with technical resources
Account Management	Dedicated account manager	Enterprise-focused account team
Curation	Deal sourcing via direct demand relationships	Xandr Curate — audience curation marketplace
Privacy Tools	UID2, RampID, TCF support	Various privacy framework integrations

When to Choose Stellor Media

Independent web publishers who want a dedicated account management team focused on their revenue, not enterprise platform sales
Publishers who need rapid onboarding (48 hours) versus enterprise-scale integration timelines
Mid-size publishers who want a SSP partner whose business model is fully aligned with publisher success
Publishers seeking independent demand rather than Microsoft ecosystem demand concentration

When Xandr (Microsoft) Might Be Better

Publishers who specifically want access to Microsoft's native demand ecosystem (LinkedIn, Bing, MSN audiences)
Very large publishers with enterprise relationships across Microsoft's advertising ecosystem
Publishers building sophisticated audience curation strategies via Xandr Curate's data marketplace
Publishers already deeply integrated with Xandr's SSP or DSP infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I access Microsoft demand through Stellor Media?

Stellor Media connects to DSPs that buy Microsoft-sourced audiences through programmatic channels. For direct Microsoft Advertising network access, you'd typically need a Xandr direct relationship.

Is Xandr available to small and mid-size publishers?

Xandr has historically been oriented toward enterprise publishers. Mid-size web publishers may find Stellor Media's publisher-first approach more accessible and better suited to their needs.

Can I use both Stellor Media and Xandr?

Yes. Header bidding enables multiple SSPs simultaneously. Adding Stellor Media to an existing Xandr relationship adds demand competition without replacing existing revenue streams.

How has Xandr changed since Microsoft acquired it?

Microsoft's acquisition has focused Xandr on integration with Microsoft Advertising's ecosystem. For current capabilities and requirements, we recommend consulting Microsoft Advertising's publisher documentation directly.

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