Compare implementation methods

See how each method of implementing Adobe Analytics compares to each other. You can use this table to help your organization determine the most ideal way to send data to Adobe.

	AppMeasurement	Adobe Analytics extension	Web SDK	Web SDK extension
Implementation requirements	Reference `AppMeasurement.js` on each page, define variables, send data using `s.t()`	Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to define variables and send data to Adobe	Reference `Alloy.js` on each page, use `alloy("sendEvent",{})` to send a JSON object containing the desired data	Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to establish the JSON object to send data
Data destination	Sent directly to Adobe Analytics	Sent directly to Adobe Analytics	Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics	Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics
Difficulty making implementation adjustments	Requires access to website code for every implementation change	Change the website code once to install the loader tag; all further implementation updates can be made in the Data Collection UI	Requires access to website code for every implementation change	Change the website code once to install the loader tag; all further implementation updates can be made in the Data Collection UI
How A4T is handled	A4T calls are included in hits sent to Adobe	A4T calls are included in hits sent to Adobe	A4T calls are sent as separate hits	A4T calls are sent as separate hits
Context Data	Use `s.contextData`.	Use `s.contextData` in custom code blocks	All unmapped fields are automatically sent as `a.x.*` context data variables.	All unmapped fields are automatically sent as `a.x.*` context data variables.