In the dynamic world of mobile app marketing, understanding user acquisition, engagement, and lifetime value is paramount. Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs) like Adjust play a crucial role in providing the attribution data and analytics necessary to make informed decisions and optimize marketing spend. However, prospective and current users often have questions about the costs associated with using, integrating, and maintaining such a powerful platform. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify Adjust’s pricing, delve into the intricacies of its integration, and explore the value of partnering with experts like us at MetaCTO for a seamless and effective implementation.

An Introduction to Adjust

Adjust is a mobile measurement partner that empowers app marketers with a suite of tools for attribution, analytics, and fraud prevention. It helps businesses understand how users discover and interact with their apps, which marketing channels are most effective, and how to optimize campaigns for better performance. At its core, Adjust provides insights that are critical for growth, allowing companies to measure the effectiveness of their advertising spend and understand user behavior across various touchpoints. Adjust offers scalable pricing aligned to your growth, ensuring that as your app expands, your measurement capabilities can expand with it. A key principle of Adjust’s approach is transparency; they state that there are no hidden fees — ever.

How Much Does It Cost to Use Adjust?

Adjust’s pricing model is designed to be flexible and accommodate businesses of varying sizes and needs. The core idea is that you only pay as you grow, with costs based on attribution volume. This scalability is a significant advantage for companies, from small independent developers to large enterprises.

Adjust’s Pricing Tiers

Adjust structures its offerings into distinct plans, each tailored to different stages of an app’s lifecycle and growth trajectory.

The Base Plan: Getting Started for Free

• Target Audience: The Base plan is specifically designed for small independent developers who are just starting or have limited attribution needs.
• Attribution Volume: This plan accommodates up to 1,500 monthly attributions.
• Cost: The Base plan is free, allowing developers to get started with Adjust without an initial financial commitment.
• Duration: The Base solution, with its access to all features in the Core solution, is available for up to 1,500 monthly attributions for up to 12 months. This provides a generous window for early-stage apps to leverage powerful analytics.
• Features: Despite being free, the Base plan provides access to all features found in the Core solution.
• Support: Users of the Base plan receive email support.

This free tier is an excellent way for new entrants to the app market to experience the benefits of a robust MMP without upfront investment.

The Core Plan: Accelerating App Growth

• Target Audience: The Core plan is aimed at medium-size developers who are ready to accelerate their app growth and require more substantial attribution capabilities.
• Attribution Volume: This plan supports up to 250,000 annual attributions.
• Cost: While specific pricing isn’t publicly detailed for this tier (as it’s based on volume), the Core plan includes volume discounts, making it cost-effective as attribution needs increase.
• Support: The Core plan includes support, ensuring that growing businesses have access to assistance when they need it.

The Core plan represents a step up for apps gaining traction, offering the necessary tools and support for scaling user acquisition efforts.

The Enterprise Plan: For Large-Scale Operations

• Target Audience: The Enterprise plan is tailored for large developers with enterprise-level growth goals and significant attribution volumes.
• Attribution Volume: This plan is for needs exceeding 250,000 annual attributions.
• Cost: Similar to the Core plan, pricing is volume-based, but the Enterprise plan includes deep volume discounts, reflecting the scale of operations.
• Support: Enterprise clients receive a dedicated support team, providing a higher level of personalized assistance.

This plan is ideal for established players in the app market who require extensive measurement capabilities and dedicated support infrastructure.

Add-Ons and Special Considerations

Beyond the core plans, Adjust offers several add-ons and has specific policies that affect overall cost and usability:

• SSO and 2FA: Single Sign-On (SSO) and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) are available as add-ons for additional purchase, enhancing security for organizations that require these features.
• Growth Solutions: For Core and Enterprise clients, Growth Solutions are available as add-ons for an additional purchase. These likely encompass advanced features or services to further boost app growth.
• iOS 14+ Solutions: Importantly, Adjust does not charge for its iOS 14+ solutions. This is a critical consideration given the significant changes Apple introduced to user privacy and tracking with SKAdNetwork.

Adjust’s commitment to scalable, volume-based pricing without hidden fees provides a clear framework for businesses to understand their potential investment. The free Base plan is a particularly attractive entry point for new developers.

What Goes Into Integrating Adjust Into an App?

Integrating any third-party SDK into a mobile application requires careful planning and execution. The Adjust SDK is the primary tool that enables your app to communicate with Adjust servers, reporting crucial information about user installs, opens, and in-app engagements.

The Adjust SDK: The Core of Integration

• Functionality: The Adjust SDK is an open-source software development kit that developers integrate into an app. Once integrated, it diligently reports information back to Adjust servers when users install, open, and engage with the app.
• Customization: Developers need to integrate the Adjust SDK with customized support for desired features. This means tailoring the integration to track specific events or enable functionalities like deep linking, which are vital for modern app marketing.

Permissions and Prerequisites

Before embarking on the SDK integration, certain administrative prerequisites must be met within the Adjust dashboard:

• User Permissions: Admin, Editor, or Custom Editor permissions are required before getting started with Adjust integration. This ensures that only authorized personnel can configure app settings and initiate the integration process.

Streamlining the Integration Process for Developers

Adjust provides a mechanism to facilitate a smoother integration process, especially when marketing teams and development teams need to collaborate:

1. Instruct Adjust on Functionality: A user can instruct Adjust what functionality they want to use. This might involve specifying which in-app events to track, which platforms are targeted, or if features like deep linking are needed.
2. Direct Information Sharing: Adjust will share this instructed functionality information directly with the user’s developer. This helps the developer know precisely what needs to be set up in the SDK.
3. Email Instructions: The developer receives an email from Adjust containing SDK instructions. This email includes critical information such as the app name, the unique app token, and details of in-app event names and their corresponding tokens.

This streamlined communication channel helps minimize errors and ensures that the SDK is configured according to the marketing team’s requirements.

The Step-by-Step Communication Flow

To send these crucial instructions to a developer, users can follow these steps within the Adjust dashboard:

1. Navigate under AppView and select ‘All apps’.
2. Select the specific app you are configuring.
3. Select the SDK integration tab.
4. Under the ‘Review your choices’ section within this tab, meticulously review your Platforms and Events setup.
5. Under the ‘Share instructions for SDK integration’ section, enter the developer’s email address(es).
6. Select ‘Send’ to dispatch the instructions.

The Importance of Upfront Planning

Careful planning before the developer begins coding is essential to avoid rework:

• Pre-Integration Changes: Users should make any necessary changes to their Adjust setup selection before their developer integrates the SDK into their app code.
• Avoiding Re-integration: If a user makes any changes to their app in AppView (Adjust’s app management interface) after the SDK has been integrated, they may have to integrate the SDK again.
• Recommendation: It is highly recommended to complete as much of an app’s setup as possible in one go. This can potentially avoid the need for re-integration, saving valuable development time and resources.

Special Integration Considerations

• Link-Based Campaigns in India: A specific technical note for developers: if running link-based campaigns in India, the developer needs to add an additional line of code in the SDK setup. This highlights the need for attention to detail and awareness of region-specific requirements.

The integration process, while supported by Adjust’s tools, clearly involves technical steps that require development expertise and careful coordination between marketing and development teams.

The Challenges of Integrating Adjust: Why It Can Be Complex

While Adjust is a powerful platform, its comprehensive nature means that setting it up and managing it effectively can present challenges. Understanding these potential hurdles is the first step to overcoming them.

• Navigating a ""Maze"" of Settings: Adjust offers a vast array of features and configuration options. For newcomers, or even experienced marketers, navigating through Adjust’s myriad settings can feel like walking through a maze. This complexity, while offering flexibility, requires a clear understanding of how each setting impacts data collection and attribution.
• The Need for a Well-Thought-Out Approach: Simply installing the SDK is not enough. Getting started with Adjust requires a well-thought-out approach. This includes defining key performance indicators (KPIs), mapping out user journeys, and deciding which in-app events are crucial for tracking and analysis. Without a clear strategy, you risk collecting noisy data or missing out on valuable insights.
• Data Discrepancies from Incorrect Setup: A significant challenge lies in the technical setup. For instance, an incorrect Server-to-Server (S2S) setup with Adjust could lead to data discrepancy. S2S events are crucial for tracking activities that occur outside the app (like subscription renewals processed on a server), and errors here can severely impact the accuracy of your data.
• Attribution Model Alignment: Ensuring consistency in how attribution is measured across different platforms is vital. It is essential to correctly map the Google Ads attribution model with the Adjust attribution window for accurate data assessment. Mismatches can lead to conflicting reports and misinformed decisions about ad spend.
• The ""Daunting"" Task Perception: For many teams, especially those without dedicated analytics or martech specialists, the task of setting up and managing an MMP like Adjust can seem daunting. The breadth of features and the technical nuances of integration can be overwhelming.
• Collaboration is Key: The Adjust integration process is not a solo endeavor. It requires a collaborative effort between marketing teams (who define the measurement goals) and development teams (who implement the technical aspects). Miscommunication or a lack of coordination between these teams can lead to flawed implementations.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Adjust is not a ""set it and forget it"" tool. It needs constant monitoring, tweaking, and updating. Marketing campaigns evolve, new ad networks are added, and app features change – all of which may necessitate adjustments to the Adjust setup to ensure continued data accuracy and relevance.

These challenges underscore the fact that while Adjust provides the tools, the expertise to wield them effectively is crucial for maximizing their value. This is where specialized assistance can be invaluable.

Why Partner with MetaCTO for Your Adjust Integration?

At MetaCTO, we bring over 20 years of development experience and specialized expertise in mobile marketing measurement to every project. We understand that a successful Adjust implementation is more than just dropping an SDK into your app; it’s about aligning the platform’s capabilities with your unique marketing goals to deliver accurate attribution, comprehensive analytics, and optimized performance. If you’re looking to harness the full power of Adjust, our team is here to help. Explore our Adjust integration services to learn more.

The MetaCTO Advantage: Expertise and Precision

Navigating the complexities of Adjust integration, as outlined above, can be a significant undertaking. That’s where our team at MetaCTO steps in. We’ve helped numerous app developers optimize their marketing performance and improve ROI through meticulous Adjust implementations.

• Specialized Expertise: We bring specialized knowledge in mobile marketing measurement to deliver Adjust implementations that provide accurate attribution, comprehensive analytics, and optimized performance. Our team’s 20+ years of development experience ensures that we handle everything from SDK implementation to advanced attribution configuration and analytics setup with precision.
• Goal-Oriented Implementation: We implement Adjust with a keen focus on your marketing goals. Our aim is to ensure you get valuable insights, accurate attribution, and actionable data to optimize your campaigns effectively.
• Technical Flawlessness: Our technical team ensures flawless SDK integration, event tracking setup, and data configuration. Crucially, we prioritize maintaining app performance and a smooth user experience throughout the Adjust implementation process.

Our Comprehensive Adjust Implementation and Optimization Services

We offer a full spectrum of services to ensure your Adjust setup is robust, accurate, and aligned with your business objectives. These services are often grouped into key areas:

1. Attribution & Measurement Services

Accurate attribution is the bedrock of effective mobile marketing. Our services in this domain include:

• Adjust SDK Integration: Expert integration for both iOS and Android platforms.
• Campaign Tracking and Multi-Touch Attribution Setup: Ensuring all your marketing efforts are correctly tracked and credit is assigned appropriately across various touchpoints.
• Cross-Platform and Cross-Device Attribution Setup: Providing a unified view of user journeys, even as they move between different devices and platforms.
• Partner Network Integrations Setup: Seamlessly integrating Adjust with major ad networks and partners like Facebook and Google.
• Custom Tracker Configuration: Setting up custom tracking links for specific campaigns or channels.
• SKAdNetwork and iOS Privacy Adaptation: Crucially, we ensure your implementation is optimized for iOS 14+ limitations, respecting Apple’s policies and user privacy choices, ensuring you get the most accurate attribution possible under these constraints.

2. Advanced Analytics Services

Beyond basic attribution, Adjust can yield deep insights into user behavior and campaign effectiveness. We help you unlock these insights through:

• Custom Dashboards and Reporting Setup: Creating tailored views of your most important metrics.
• Audience Builder and Segmentation Implementation: Helping you define and target specific user segments.
• Cohort Analysis Configuration: Setting up analyses to understand user behavior and retention over time.
• LTV and ROI Tracking Setup: Implementing robust tracking for Lifetime Value and Return on Investment.
• Cross-App Tracking and Attribution Setup: For businesses with multiple apps, ensuring a holistic view.
• Data Exports and BI Tool Integrations Setup: We can implement integrations between Adjust and most major analytics platforms, marketing tools, and business intelligence systems. MetaCTO sets up data flows from Adjust to these tools that provide complete visibility across your marketing and analytics stack, avoiding data duplication and reconciliation issues.

3. Performance Optimization Services

Leveraging Adjust data to actively improve your marketing efforts is key. Our services include:

• Fraud Prevention Suite Configuration: Protecting your ad spend from fraudulent activity.
• Campaign Performance Analysis: Using Adjust data to dive deep into what’s working and what’s not.
• Attribution Insights and Optimization: Translating data into actionable strategies.
• Conversion Funnel Analysis: Understanding where users drop off and how to improve conversion rates.
• A/B Testing Setup and Measurement: Using Adjust data to validate testing hypotheses.
• Retention and Engagement Tracking Setup: Focusing on keeping users active and engaged long-term.

Our Proven Adjust Implementation Process

We follow a structured, proven process for Adjust implementation, designed to ensure effectiveness, accuracy, and actionable insights:

1. Strategic Planning: We begin by analyzing your strategy, channels, and objectives. This allows us to develop a customized Adjust implementation plan focused on your specific measurement needs.
2. Technical Implementation: Our developers integrate the Adjust SDK, configure attribution settings, and implement event tracking, all while ensuring optimal app performance and data accuracy.
3. Attribution Configuration: We set up attribution models, configure tracking parameters, and establish measurement protocols meticulously tailored to your channels and overall strategy.
4. Campaign Setup & Testing: This involves implementing campaign tracking, setting up partner integrations, and thoroughly testing all attribution scenarios across networks and platforms to guarantee accurate measurement.
5. Analytics Configuration: Finally, we configure dashboards, custom reports, and integrations with other analytics platforms. This provides you with comprehensive insights into marketing performance and user behavior.

This methodical approach, honed over more than 100 app launches, gives us unparalleled insight into effective attribution and analytics implementation.

Timelines and Broader Support

• Implementation Speed: A basic Adjust implementation with MetaCTO, including SDK integration, basic attribution setup, and initial analytics configuration, can often be completed in 1-2 weeks. More comprehensive Adjust implementations involving advanced features may take 3-4 weeks.
• New App Development: If you’re building a new app with us through our mobile app development services, Adjust integration is incorporated seamlessly into the overall development timeline.
• Choosing the Right MMP: We can help you evaluate whether Adjust is the right choice for your specific needs based on your marketing strategy and technical requirements.
• Measuring Impact: We can assist you in establishing baseline metrics before Adjust implementation and then help you track improvements after Adjust is fully deployed and optimized. This allows you to quantify the specific ROI Adjust brings to your business.

Our team brings years of specialized experience in mobile marketing measurement and analytics strategies that drive user acquisition optimization and improve ROI.

Estimating the Cost of Professional Adjust Integration

While Adjust itself has a clear pricing structure for using its platform, the cost of integrating Adjust professionally will vary based on several factors. Investing in expert integration is not merely an expense; it’s an investment in data accuracy, marketing efficiency, and ultimately, growth.

Factors Influencing Integration Cost

The primary drivers of integration cost when working with an agency like MetaCTO include:

• Scope and Complexity: A basic integration with a few standard events will naturally cost less than a comprehensive setup involving numerous custom events, S2S integrations, deep linking configurations across multiple platforms, and complex attribution models.
• Number of Platforms: Integrating Adjust into an iOS app and an Android app will require more effort than a single-platform integration.
• Advanced Features: Implementing advanced Adjust features such as the fraud prevention suite, audience builder, or sophisticated LTV models adds to the complexity and time required.
• Data Migration and Existing Systems: If you are migrating from another MMP or need to integrate Adjust data with existing BI tools or data warehouses, this can add to the project scope.
• Level of Customization: Highly customized reporting dashboards or unique tracking requirements will influence the overall effort.
• Team Expertise: Working with an experienced team like ours at MetaCTO ensures efficiency and reduces the risk of costly errors that might require rework later. Our proven process and deep understanding of Adjust minimize wasted time and resources.

MetaCTO’s Value-Driven Approach

While we can’t provide a one-size-fits-all price tag without understanding your specific needs, our timelines offer an insight into the effort involved:

• Basic Implementation (1-2 weeks): This timeframe for SDK integration, basic attribution, and initial analytics setup represents a focused, efficient engagement.
• Comprehensive Implementation (3-4 weeks): For more advanced features and deeper customization, the extended timeframe reflects the increased complexity and thoroughness required.

The ""cost"" of not having a proper Adjust integration can be far higher: wasted ad spend due to inaccurate attribution, missed growth opportunities due to poor data insights, and hours of internal team time spent troubleshooting a faulty setup. Our goal is to deliver an Adjust implementation that starts providing value quickly and continues to do so long-term. We focus on delivering an ROI that far outweighs the initial investment in professional setup. Our experience across over 100 app launches ensures we can deliver unparalleled insight and effective attribution.

The Long-Term ROI of Expert Integration

Investing in a professional Adjust integration with MetaCTO translates to:

• Accurate Data: Confidence in your marketing data allows for better decision-making.
• Optimized Ad Spend: Understanding which channels and campaigns deliver results means you can allocate your budget more effectively.
• Increased Efficiency: Our team handles the technical complexities, freeing up your internal resources to focus on strategy and growth.
• Future-Proofing: We set up Adjust with best practices in mind, ensuring it can scale with your business and adapt to industry changes like iOS privacy updates.
• Enhanced App Growth: Ultimately, a well-integrated Adjust platform, supported by our expertise, contributes directly to your app growth strategy.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision About Adjust

Adjust offers a powerful, scalable solution for mobile app attribution and analytics, with a transparent pricing model designed to grow with your business. From its free Base plan for emerging developers to comprehensive Enterprise solutions, there’s an option for various needs. However, the true value of Adjust is unlocked through a meticulous and strategic integration.

As we’ve explored, the integration process involves technical SDK work, careful planning of events and parameters, and ongoing attention to ensure data accuracy. Challenges such as navigating complex settings, ensuring correct S2S setup, and aligning attribution models across platforms highlight the need for expertise.

This is where partnering with a specialized agency like MetaCTO becomes a strategic advantage. We provide comprehensive Adjust integration services, from initial SDK setup and attribution configuration to advanced analytics and performance optimization. Our proven process, developed over years of experience and numerous successful app launches, ensures that your Adjust implementation is not only technically sound but also directly aligned with your marketing objectives, providing accurate attribution and actionable insights, even within the evolving landscape of iOS privacy.

While the cost of using Adjust is defined by its subscription tiers, the investment in professional integration is an investment in the quality and reliability of your marketing data. By leveraging our expertise, you can avoid common pitfalls, accelerate your time-to-value, and ensure you’re maximizing the potential of Adjust to drive growth and improve ROI.

If you’re ready to integrate Adjust into your product or optimize your existing setup for peak performance, we invite you to talk with an Adjust expert at MetaCTO. Let us help you transform your mobile marketing data into your most powerful asset.