SDK bloat is an in-app conversion tax you can measure

SDK bloat is an in-app conversion tax you can measure

Every tracking and mediation SDK you stack adds binary size and init time. Reviewers obsess over attribution accuracy and ignore that the SDK itself depresses the conversions it measures.

✓ Each added SDK adds roughly 0.3-1.5 MB to your app binary
✓ Larger binaries lower install completion on slow connections — measurable in install-to-open drop
✗ Heavy init blocks first-frame render; cold-start over 2s tanks D1 retention
✗ Mediation SDKs (ironSource, AppLovin MAX) are the biggest offenders

Audit: profile cold-start with and without each SDK using Xcode Instruments or Android Macrobenchmark. If an SDK adds >400ms to first frame, the retention loss can exceed the revenue it brokers.

Verdict: budget SDKs like you budget spend — measure init cost, not just integration ease.
Best for: app teams stacking mediation plus multiple trackers.