TL;DR
- Retail media software helps retailers monetize on-site, off-site, and in-store traffic using their own first-party data.
- In 2026, the best platforms focus on privacy-safe targeting, closed-loop measurement, CX-safe ad formats, and scalable automation.
- This list is for retailers launching or scaling a retail media program, from mid-market to enterprise.
- We compare leading retail media software based on inventory, self-serve, measurement, integration, and time-to-value.
- Voyado is #1 for retailers who want retail media embedded in the omnichannel experience, powered by retail-native signals and built to drive revenue, not just ad spend.
What if retail media didn’t feel like advertising at all? In 2026, the best retail media software turns everyday customer interactions into relevant, revenue-driving moments across every channel.
To get there, it’s worth being clear about what retail media software really means and how it differs from traditional advertising tools.
What is retail media software (and what it’s not)
Retail media software is the technology retailers use to sell, manage, and measure advertising across their own digital channels and, where relevant, in-store.
One of several retail media solutions, this software helps retailers monetize owned traffic and customer data.
A retail media platform is built around a retailer’s first-party data, products, and customer journey, not on third-party cookies or open-web audiences.
As a result, retail media software is often mistaken for adjacent advertising tools. The difference is where value is created and measured.
This distinction matters as retail media programs scale. Retailers need retail media software that fits their operating model and customer experience. Not generic ad tech built for other industries.
That context is covered in Voyado’s overview of retail media fundamentals.
Most retail media solutions support multiple models. On-site placements include sponsored products and sponsored listings. These appear in search results and category pages.
Off-site extensions activate retailer audiences across search and social. Some platforms also support in-store or onsite to store formats. These connect digital campaigns to physical stores.
Retail media software rarely sits with one team. E-commerce, ad sales, trade marketing, data, legal, and CX are usually involved.
Choosing the right platform comes down to fit, not features.
The list below breaks down the retail media software that performs best in real-world setups.
The 13 best retail media software solutions for 2026
This list focuses on platforms retailers evaluate when comparing the best retail media software for online marketplaces in 2026, including both turnkey and infrastructure-first options.
#1 Voyado retail media – embedded ads that don’t break CX
Voyado Retail Media is built for retailers who want retail media software embedded directly into the shopping experience, not layered on top of it, through its native retail media platform.
Best for
Retailers who want retail media fully connected to customer data, loyalty programs, and omnichannel activation.
Why it’s on the list
Voyado treats retail media as part of the customer journey. Ads are designed to feel relevant and timely, not disruptive. That makes it easier to scale media revenue without eroding trust or the customer experience.
Standout capabilities
- CX-safe ad placements across owned channels.
- Targeting based on retailer first-party data, not third-party cookies.
- Tight alignment between retail media, customer engagement, and revenue impact.
Retail caveats / watch-outs
Retailers need to define inventory and pricing early. Commercial setup matters, especially when choosing managed versus self-service models.
Good fit if…
- You want retail media embedded into commerce, loyalty, and customer activation.
- You care about long-term customer value, not just short-term ad spend.
Not ideal if…
You only need marketplace ad management or off-site media buying.
#2 Criteo retail media
Criteo offers on-site sponsored placements with off-site commerce media activation.
Best for
Retailers with strong online sales volume and established demand from brands.
Why it’s on the list
Criteo is one of the most widely adopted retail media platforms, with deep advertiser relationships and proven scale across digital channels.
Standout capabilities
- Sponsored products and sponsored listings on-site and off-site
- Campaign automation designed to optimize campaigns and return on ad spend
- Broad access to advertiser demand across a large retail media network
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Retailers should define CX rules and placement governance early
- Commercial models and take rates need clear alignment upfront
Good fit if…
You want to scale sponsored listings quickly with existing advertiser demand.
Not ideal if…
You want retail media deeply embedded into loyalty programs or owned CX flows.
#3 Epsilon Retail Media
Epsilon Retail Media provides retail media software designed to help retailers launch and scale sponsored placements across owned properties.
Best for
Retailers building or expanding a structured retail media program on their own digital properties.
Why it’s on the list
Epsilon is widely used by online retailers that want a self-serve model for sponsored listings, backed by Epsilon’s data and measurement capabilities.
Standout capabilities
- On-site sponsored products and sponsored listings in search results
- Self-service tools that give brands direct access to campaigns
- Measurement tied to commerce data and closed-loop attribution
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Rollout and format coverage depend on retailer implementation choices
- Retailers should confirm which ad formats and channels launch first
Good fit if…
Your priority is monetizing on-site traffic with sponsored placements.
Not ideal if…
You need deep omnichannel activation tied to loyalty or in-store media from day one.
#4 Mirakl Ads
Mirakl Ads is retail media software built for retailers operating third-party marketplaces.
Best for
Retailers with a marketplace model who want to monetize seller and brand demand.
Why it’s on the list
Mirakl Ads is designed specifically for marketplace environments, where retail media is closely tied to seller performance and marketplace growth.
It’s also often assessed alongside claims of being the number one retail media software for internet marketplaces, especially in seller-driven models.
Standout capabilities
- Sponsored listings within marketplace search results
- Native alignment with marketplace operations
- Tools that enable brands and sellers to promote products
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Only relevant if you operate a marketplace
- Limited fit for pure first-party retail models
Good fit if…
Your retail media program is driven by marketplace sellers.
Not ideal if…
You don’t run a third-party marketplace.
#5 Kevel (Retail Media Cloud)
Kevel provides retail media software focused on building custom retail media platforms.
Best for
Retailers that want to build and control their own retail media platform.
Why it’s on the list
Kevel offers infrastructure rather than a packaged solution, giving retailers flexibility over ad formats and workflows.
Standout capabilities
- Custom ad products and ad formats
- APIs for integrating retail media into existing systems
- Support for on-site and off-site placements
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Requires technical resources to implement
- Longer time to value than turnkey platforms
Good fit if…
You want full control over your retail media setup.
Not ideal if…
You need a fast, out-of-the-box solution.
#6 Topsort
Topsort is retail media software focused on auction-based sponsored listings.
Best for
Retailers looking for a lightweight way to launch sponsored products.
Why it’s on the list
Topsort emphasizes speed and simplicity, making it easier to get a retail media program live.
Standout capabilities
- Sponsored products and sponsored listings
- Auction-based pricing models
- APIs for integrating ads into search results
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Limited feature depth compared to enterprise platforms
- Best suited to focused use cases
Good fit if…
You want to launch sponsored listings quickly.
Not ideal if…
You need complex omnichannel or in-store activation.
#7 Kenshoo Skai (retail and commerce media)
Kenshoo Skai provides retail media software focused on managing campaigns across multiple retail media platforms.
Best for
Retailers and brands managing ad spend across many retail media networks.
Why it’s on the list
Skai acts as a management and optimization layer across retail media platforms rather than a native retail media solution.
Standout capabilities
- Centralized campaign management
- Cross-platform reporting and optimization
- Support for multiple retail media networks
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Not a retail media platform itself
- Depends on underlying retail media providers
Good fit if…
You need to manage campaigns across multiple retailers.
Not ideal if…
You want to run your own retail media platform.
#8 Pacvue (marketplace ad management)
Pacvue is retail media software focused on managing sponsored advertising across marketplaces.
Best for
Retailers and brands managing marketplace advertising at scale.
Why it’s on the list
Pacvue is widely used as a campaign management tool for retail media advertising.
Standout capabilities
- Sponsored products and sponsored listings management
- Reporting focused on return on ad spend
- Tools to optimize campaigns across platforms
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Acts as a management layer, not a retail media platform
- Requires existing access to retail media networks
Good fit if…
You manage advertising across multiple marketplaces.
Not ideal if…
You need to build a retail media platform from scratch.
#9 Koddi
Koddi is retail media software focused on sponsored placements and commerce media across on-site, off-site, and in-store environments.
Best for
Retailers building a retail media program that spans digital and physical channels.
Why it’s on the list
Retailers using in-store and onsite-to-store formats often evaluate platforms like Koddi alongside broader approaches to omnichannel retail media ad sales, where digital and physical inventory are planned together.
Standout capabilities
- Sponsored products and native ad formats
- Support for in-store and off-site campaigns
- Measurement tied to commerce and customer data
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Implementation depends on retailer infrastructure
- Format availability varies by channel
Good fit if…
You want retail media that connects digital campaigns to physical stores.
Not ideal if…
You only plan to monetize on-site traffic.
#10 Microsoft retail media
Microsoft Retail Media is retail media software designed to help retailers monetize advertising space using Microsoft’s digital advertising ecosystem.
Best for
Retailers looking to extend retail media beyond owned channels.
Why it’s on the list
Microsoft Retail Media focuses on off-site activation and reach across digital channels, using retailer first-party data for audience targeting.
Standout capabilities
- Off-site retail media activation
- Integration with Microsoft advertising products
- Support for third-party cookie alternatives
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Limited control over on-site customer experience
- Less focus on in-store activation
Good fit if…
Your priority is extending reach beyond owned properties.
Not ideal if…
You want retail media embedded directly into the customer journey.
#11 dunnhumby retail media platform
dunnhumby offers retail media software grounded in customer data and long-term retail analytics.
Best for
Retailers with mature data teams and established loyalty programs.
Why it’s on the list
dunnhumby brings a data-first approach to retail media, with a strong focus on measurement and closed-loop attribution across the retail media ecosystem.
Standout capabilities
- Audience targeting using retailer first-party data
- Measurement tied to loyalty programs
- Unified reporting across campaigns
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Heavier focus on analytics than ad operations
- Requires strong internal data maturity
Good fit if…
You want retail media aligned with long-term customer value rather than short-term ad spend.
Not ideal if…
You need a lightweight or fast-launch solution.
#12 Profitero (measurement and analytics layer)
Profitero supports retail media through analytics and performance measurement rather than ad delivery.
Best for
Retailers and brands focused on measurement and optimization.
Why it’s on the list
Measurement tools like Profitero are commonly used to support a wider retail media strategy, especially when retailers need consistent performance insight across multiple retail media platforms.
Standout capabilities
- Performance analytics across retail media platforms
- Support for unified reporting and benchmarking
- Insights across online sales and digital advertising
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Not a retail media platform itself
- Requires integration with existing retail media tools
Good fit if…
You need measurement and insight across multiple retail media solutions.
Not ideal if…
You want to run campaigns directly.
#13 Vistar Media (specialist pick: in-store retail media)
Vistar Media is a retail media software focused on in-store retail media and digital out-of-home advertising.
Best for
Retailers looking to extend retail media into physical stores and point of purchase environments.
Why it’s on the list
Vistar Media is widely used for managing digital screens and in-store displays, making it a clear specialist option for retailers with physical locations.
Standout capabilities
- In-store retail media across digital screens
- Support for in-store channels and point of purchase placements
- Campaign delivery tied to physical stores and location-based inventory
Retail caveats / watch-outs
- Focused on in-store activation rather than on-site retail media
- Typically used alongside other retail media platforms
Good fit if…
You want to monetize in-store traffic and physical stores with digital screens.
Not ideal if…
Your retail media program is limited to on-site or off-site channels.
Together, these platforms cover the full range of retail media use cases.
The next section breaks down how to evaluate retail media software in a way that supports scale, measurement, and customer experience.
How we evaluated these retail media software solutions
We evaluated each retail media software platform using the same buyer checklist. The goal was to identify retail media solutions that can scale revenue, support advertisers, and protect customer experience.
Inventory coverage
Confirm what advertising space you can monetize today and expand tomorrow.
☐ Supports sponsored products and sponsored listings on site
☐ Offers display and native ad formats
☐ Extends retail media programs off-site across digital channels
☐ Supports in-store retail media, in-store displays, or other in-store channels
Tip: Strong retail media platforms let you expand inventory without rebuilding your stack.
Targeting
Check how the retail media network reaches high-intent shoppers.
☐ Uses retailer first party data and retailer’s customer data
☐ Supports product, category, and contextual audience targeting
☐ Activates loyalty programs for segmentation
☐ Works without relying on third-party cookies
Tip: First-party data is the foundation of competitive retail media advertising.
Measurement
Make sure performance connects to real business outcomes.
☐ Tracks return on ad spend and sales impact
☐ Supports closed-loop attribution and incrementality
☐ Shows performance beyond clicks, including halo effects
☐ Connects media performance to the customer journey
Tip: Retail media advertising software should prove impact, not just activity.
Integration
Evaluate how the platform fits into your retail media ecosystem.
☐ Integrates with your commerce platform and online sales setup
☐ Accesses commerce data, product data, and customer data
☐ Connects to POS systems and physical stores when needed
☐ Feeds data into analytics, BI tools, or data warehouses
Tip: Integration complexity often determines time-to-value.
Self-serve and ad operations
Plan for scale across brands and advertisers.
☐ Provides self-service access for advertisers and brands
☐ Supports workflows, approvals, and campaign management
☐ Handles billing, invoicing, and partner access
Tip: The best retail media management software for online sales reduces manual work as demand grows.
Governance and control
Protect trust as retail media revenue increases.
☐ Manages consent and privacy by region
☐ Supports audit logs and role-based permissions
☐ Aligns with legal and data governance requirements
Tip: Governance gaps slow down retail media programs later.
Time to value
Assess how quickly the platform delivers results.
☐ Clear setup and launch timelines
☐ Templates available for faster activation
☐ Limited dependency on services or custom development
Tip: Faster launch often beats broader scope.
Total cost
Understand the full commercial model.
☐ Transparent licensing or pricing structure
☐ Clear take-rate on ad spend or media revenue
☐ Services and integration costs defined upfront
Tip: Compare total cost against revenue potential, not just fees.
Once these criteria are clear, it’s easier to see how different platforms approach retail media. The following section outlines how Voyado fits into this framework.
How Voyado helps retailers build retail media that performs
Embedded monetization that respects customer experience
Voyado treats retail media as part of the experience, not a bolt-on. It supports retail media solutions that monetize engagement without disrupting the customer browsing or buying experience.
Retail-grade context and customer understanding
Campaigns are powered by real shopping behavior, loyalty signals, and intent. This keeps targeting relevant and positions Voyado as a retail media advertising tool built around trust, not noise.
Built for omnichannel growth
Retailers can expand retail media beyond on-site placements into omnichannel retail media ad sales without fragmenting data, teams, or the customer experience.
Designed for long-term revenue, not short-term clicks
Every interaction becomes a monetizable moment. For teams evaluating the best retail media management software for online sales, this approach prioritizes sustainable revenue over impression volume.
Consulting a retail media playbook will give you a practical framework for inventory planning, governance, and scaling.
Your next step:
Book a demo to see how Voyado supports retail media that performs without breaking CX.
FAQs
What is retail media software?
Retail media software helps retailers sell advertising space across owned channels. This includes on-site placements, off-site extensions, and sometimes in-store formats. Unlike generic ad tech, it uses retailer data and shopping context to drive relevance and revenue.
What’s the difference between a retail media network and retail media software?
A retail media network is the advertiser-facing marketplace, often associated with large players like Kroger Precision Marketing or Walmart Connect. Retail media software is the underlying platform retailers use to build, manage, and measure those networks.
What features matter most in 2026?
In 2026, retailers prioritize first-party data, flexible inventory, and strong measurement. Many also look for ai-driven cpc bidding software for retail media networks to automate pricing as demand grows and inventory scales.
How do you measure incrementality in retail media?
Incrementality is measured by comparing exposed and non-exposed shoppers. This includes tracking lift in sales, new-to-brand customers, and return on ad spend beyond baseline behavior. Closed-loop attribution is essential.
Can mid-market retailers run retail media, or is it only for giants?
Retail media is no longer limited to the largest players. Many mid-market teams now evaluate the best retail media software for online marketplaces 2026 and the best retail media software for marketplace advertising 2026 to launch smaller, focused programs first.
How long does it take to launch?
Launch timelines vary by platform and operating model. Some retailers go live in weeks, especially when using tools positioned as the number one retail media software for internet marketplaces, while others take longer due to integration and governance needs.
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