Digital Turbine, Inc. APPS and AppLovin Corporation APP are two ad-tech players benefiting from the increasing use of AI to improve mobile advertising, user acquisition and monetization. Digital Turbine is positioning itself as an end-to-end mobile growth platform connecting advertisers, publishers, carriers and device manufacturers, while AppLovin is using its AI-powered advertising technology to improve campaign performance and expand into new advertiser categories. The key question for investors is which company offers the stronger long-term growth opportunity.
The Case for APPS
Digital Turbine continues to expand its role in the mobile application ecosystem by serving advertisers, publishers, carriers and device OEMs through its two complementary businesses. Its App Growth Platform enables publishers to monetize users through display, native and video advertising, while allowing advertisers and agencies to participate in programmatic and real-time bidding. In fiscal first-quarter 2027, App Growth Platform revenue rose 55.9% to $56.6 million, with advertising exchange revenues benefiting from the continued onboarding and growth of new publishers and demand partners.
Digital Turbine is also benefiting from improving international traction. On Device Solutions revenues increased 15.2% to $110 million, primarily reflecting improved international performance, including higher new-device volumes and revenue per device in international markets. The company uses its relationships with mobile carriers and OEMs to connect consumers with applications and content directly on their devices, giving it an opportunity to participate in the app economy beyond traditional advertising channels.
AI is becoming an important part of Digital Turbine's platform evolution. The company is integrating AI into its core intelligence systems to improve targeting, recommendations and real-time optimization across apps, devices and on-device surfaces. Its collaborations with Google Cloud and Databricks are designed to accelerate the data and AI strategy, while management said these tools are helping the company optimize its data to drive better results for platform partners and advertisers and attract new partners seeking improved yields and returns on advertising spend.
The company's alternative app distribution strategy provides another avenue for expansion. Digital Turbine entered into a strategic partnership with Orange, which serves 340 million customers across 26 countries in EMEA. Through the agreement, Digital Turbine plans to bring its alternative app distribution platform and SingleTap technology to Orange subscribers during the latter half of fiscal 2027. This gives the company an opportunity to expand its distribution capabilities through a major telecom network and strengthen its presence across international markets.
Management's confidence is reflected in its fiscal 2027 outlook, which calls for $650-$670 million in revenues and $145-$155 million in adjusted EBITDA. With the App Growth Platform scaling, international On Device Solutions gaining traction, AI capabilities advancing and alternative distribution expanding through the Orange partnership, Digital Turbine has several distinct levers to support its longer-term growth.
The Case for APP
AppLovin continues to strengthen its position in digital advertising through its integrated platform spanning AppLovin Ads, MAX, Adjust and Wurl. The company is benefiting from improving advertising efficiency, with net revenue per installation increasing 58% in the second quarter of 2026 despite a 2% decline in installation volume. This reflects improving monetization efficiency as AppLovin generates more revenue from each installation.
AppLovin's AI-powered advertising technology remains central to its growth strategy. The company continues to enhance its Axon AI recommendation system, with investments in architecture that allow more complex models to benefit from additional training compute. Management is also improving creative tools and ad formats to help advertisers optimize campaigns and achieve better outcomes. Continued model improvements are expected to support advertising performance and encourage greater spending on the platform.
The company's consumer advertising business provides another avenue for expansion beyond gaming. Advertiser spending in the consumer vertical reached a record level in the second quarter, finishing 28% above fourth-quarter 2025 levels despite the seasonal slowdown. Management believes that adding more advertiser categories to its auction can substantially expand the opportunity ahead, with gaming improvements and consumer expansion supporting its view that the business can potentially compound at roughly 30% annually over the longer term.
AppLovin is also broadening its advertiser base through the public launch of AppLovin Ads Manager. The company is initially targeting mid-market advertisers, where its platform currently performs best, while planning to expand toward the long tail as its data and technology compound. At the same time, AppLovin is pursuing opportunities in new verticals such as e-commerce and connected TV, which could expand its addressable market beyond mobile gaming.
Management's confidence is reflected in its third-quarter 2026 outlook, which calls for $2.06-$2.09 billion in revenues and $1.71-$1.74 billion in adjusted EBITDA, implying an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 83%. The guidance incorporates continued model improvements, expansion of the consumer business and seasonal strength. With AI capabilities advancing, advertiser categories expanding and new opportunities emerging across e-commerce and connected TV, AppLovin has several distinct levers to support its longer-term growth.
How Does the Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for APPS & APP?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Digital Turbine’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS implies growth of 16.8% and 53.6%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s actuals. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 9.5% rise in sales and 33.7% growth in earnings. The consensus estimates for EPS for the current and next fiscal year have increased 2 cents and 9 cents over the past 30 days to 86 cents and $1.15, respectively.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AppLovin's current financial-year sales and EPS implies growth of 40% and 54.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s actuals. For the next financial year, the consensus estimate indicates 27.5% growth in sales and 28.5% growth in earnings. The consensus estimate for EPS for the current and next fiscal year has decreased 50 cents and $1.45 over the past 30 days to $15.53 and $19.95, respectively.
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Stock Performance of Digital Turbine & AppLovin
Shares of Digital Turbine have skyrocketed 158.5% in the past year, whereas AppLovin has declined 32.9%.
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Stock Valuations of APPS & APP
Digital Turbine is trading at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 1.91, above its median of 0.79 in the past three years. AppLovin’s forward 12-month P/S multiple sits at 10.81, below its median of 15.98 in the past three years.
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Digital Turbine or AppLovin: Which is the Better Bet Now?
While AppLovin remains an attractive ad-tech player with strong AI capabilities, expanding consumer advertising operations and a broadening addressable market, Digital Turbine currently appears to hold the edge for investors. The company’s rapidly growing App Growth Platform, improving international On Device Solutions business, AI-driven optimization initiatives and alternative app distribution strategy provide multiple avenues for growth. In addition, Digital Turbine’s significantly lower valuation and stronger recent stock performance offer greater upside potential, while its improving execution and fiscal 2027 outlook support the growth story. With accelerating platform momentum, new distribution opportunities and a more favorable valuation, Digital Turbine offers a more compelling opportunity.
Digital Turbine currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), whereas AppLovin currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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