Best Header Bidding Networks of 2026

OpenX is widely considered the top choice for 2026 due to its high-quality demand and “highest yielding” status, often delivering revenue uplifts of 57% or more for premium publishers. However, a robust stack should also include Amazon Publisher Services (APS) for its server-side efficiency and unique access to Amazon’s massive advertiser base.

Here are our top picks for the best header bidding networks of 2026:

#6 – Amazon Publisher Services

Amazon’s header bidding solution has become a dominant force, with around 71% of websites participating in header bidding, including APS in their demand sources. Amazon’s vast advertiser base, advanced targeting capabilities, and competitive fill rates make it a must-have for publishers.

Publishers often see a 14% lift in eCPM and a 20% overall revenue increase upon integration.

They have one of the most widely used header implementations, and they claim their strength comes from their ability to innovate and work at scale. They are standardized in the sense that they return a uniform count of bids per page. Amazon’s Header Bidding Solution implementation presents some nuances. For instance, you’ll see ‘7×9’ as shorthand for 728×90.

Amazon offers heavy retargeting demand, though they are picky and prefer to work with private exchanges.

 

#5 – Index Exchange

Index Exchange is a leading independent ad exchange that offers a robust header bidding solution. Known for its transparency and advanced optimization features, Index Exchange helps publishers maximize their yield and maintain full control over their inventory.

Their header bidding takes about 200 milliseconds or less. According to their data, header bidding with Index outperforms waterfall setups by 166% in open exchanges and 46% in private exchanges. They have seen a 68% growth in header tag adoption, signaling strong trust from the publisher community.

#4 – Sovrn

Sovrn is a top-performing header bidding network for publishers looking to maximize their ad revenue right now. Here are some key reasons why Sovrn stands out:

Their header bidding solution has been shown to significantly boost publisher revenue, with many reporting yield increases of 10-20% and some even seeing upwards of 30%.

Sovrn offers both client-side and server-side bidding, plus an easy-to-implement “Header Code” solution for those without deep engineering resources. 

They also provide an easy-to-implement self-serve “Header Code” solution, as well as free consultations and installation support for those without in-house technical resources.

Related Read: How Does Header Bidding Fit into your Overall Ad Ops Strategy?

#3 – Sharethrough

Sharethrough is a header bidding partner that focuses on native advertising solutions. With its advanced contextual targeting and optimization features, Sharethrough enables publishers to maximize the value of their native ad inventory.

Their adaptive templating technology ensures that every native ad matches the look and feel of each site and is automatically optimized to maximize performance and yield. This technology helps publishers maintain high-quality advertising experiences while maximizing revenue.

#2 – Triplelift

Triplelift is a header bidding partner that specializes in native advertising. By leveraging its unique ad formats and advanced targeting capabilities, TripleLift helps publishers unlock incremental revenue from their native ad inventory.

TripleLift has built an extensive demand network, partnering with over 30 DSPs and exchanges. This allows publishers access to a large pool of advertisers bidding on their inventory, helping to drive higher CPMs and fill rates.

#1 – OpenX

OpenX is a solid header bidding partner known for its innovative technology and commitment to transparency. With its data-driven optimization tools and extensive demand network, OpenX helps publishers maximize their revenue and maintain control over their ad inventory.

They have access to a wide range of advertisers and offers one of the best header bid solutions to date. When Townhall Media started using OpenX’s header bidding technology to sell ads on its site, it claimed an increase of 57% in programmatic revenue.

The entire process is a breeze. Publishers must meet the main requirement of at least 100 million ad impressions per month to qualify. They’re hands-on with their implementation. The network’s strong track record of performance and innovation positions it well to continue driving publisher success in the years ahead.

2026 Publisher Action Plan

Don’t just add networks; optimize how they work together.

1. Audit Your Revenue Mix: If video ads make up less than 10% of your revenue but 20% of your engagement, you are under-monetizing. Action: Implement video header bidding immediately.
2. Optimize Timeout Settings: A “one-size-fits-all” timeout kills revenue. Action: Set distinct timeouts for mobile (e.g., 1800ms) vs. desktop (1200ms) to balance fill rate with user experience.
3. Implement Dynamic Flooring: Static price floors leave money on the table. Action: Use AI-driven dynamic flooring (available in Prebid) to adjust floor prices in real-time based on buyer density and seasonality.

Conclusion

To understand the true impact of these top-tier networks, it is essential to look at the broader market context of 2026. Real-time bidding (RTB) has evolved into a powerhouse industry valued at approximately $23.9 billion, driven by a steady 16% annual growth rate.

This financial momentum is matched by widespread adoption, with over 70% of the top 1,000 websites now leveraging header bidding to secure their revenue. Nowhere is this shift more evident than in video advertising, currently the fastest-growing segment, where publishers are realizing revenue lifts of 15–30% simply by migrating their video inventory from traditional waterfalls to header bidding wrappers.

Choosing the right partners is just the first step. MonetizeMore offers its own lightning-fast header bidding solution called PubGuru, which simplifies managing these top networks (like OpenX and APS) into a single, smart wrapper.

If you’d like to discover more and how MonetizeMore can help you optimize your ad earnings, get started here.

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Related Reads:

• What is the Most Optimal Setup for Header Bid Networks?
• How Does Header Bidding Fit into your Overall Ad Ops Strategy?
• Why Header Bid Networks will Increase Publisher Ad Revenues

source https://www.monetizemore.com/blog/best-header-bidding-networks/