Compare implementation methods

See how each method of implementing Adobe Analytics compares to each other. You can use these tables to help your organization determine the most ideal way to send data to Adobe. Click on each column for more specific information.

Web

AppMeasurement
Adobe Analytics extension
Web SDK
Web SDK extension
Implementation requirements
Reference AppMeasurement.js on each page, define variables, send data using s.t() to Adobe Analytics
Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to define variables and send data to Adobe Analytics
Reference Alloy.js on each page, use alloy("sendEvent",{}) to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
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.

Mobile and Others

CAUTION
Support for Version 4 Mobile SDKs ended on August 31, 2021. See Adobe Mobile Services end-of-life FAQ for more information.
Mobile SDK
Server API
Implementation requirements
Reference tag loader in the app, then use direct API calls or rules in Data Collection UI to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
Use Edge Network Server APIs to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
Data destination
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
Change the app code where direct API calls are made or make changes in the Data Collection UI
Requires access to app code for every implementation change
How A4T is handled
A4T calls are sent as separate hits
A4T calls are sent as separate hits
Context Data
All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables.
All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables
recommendation-more-help
b4f6d761-4a8b-4322-b801-c85b9e3be690