Stargazer vs Influencer Response: Which to Pick
Two performance shops that both chase response. Stargazer drives app and ecommerce installs and sales on proprietary tech. Influencer Response built its name on direct-response influencer campaigns and now sits inside Acceleration Partners. Tech-led versus scripting-led. Here is which fits, plus a software route.
Which one is right for you
Three buyers, three picks. Find the column that sounds like your team.
Choose Stargazer if
- You run app or ecommerce direct response
- You want proprietary creator-matching tech
- You want low CPAs at scale
Choose Influencer Response if
- You want direct-response influencer campaigns
- You value scripting and A/B testing
- You want Acceleration Partners behind it
Choose Flinque if
- You want to find and vet creators yourself with no sales call
- You want flat published pricing you can start free
- You want to run discovery in-house, not hire an agency
Stargazer vs Influencer Response vs Flinque
Fourteen factors across all three, from agency type to real minimums. Flinque is the flat-price software option on the right.
| Factor | Stargazer | Influencer Response | Best valueFlinque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | App and ecommerce brands wanting low CPAs | DTC brands wanting direct response | Teams running discovery in-house |
| Agency type | App and ecommerce performance agency | Direct-response influencer agency, AP-owned | Self-serve software, not an agency |
| Engagement model | Managed, direct response | Managed, direct response | Flat monthly subscription |
| Typical minimum | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Free, then $49/mo |
| Published pricing | No | No | $0 to $150/mo, public |
| Creator network | 2M+ creators in network | Direct relationships, MCN and agency ties | 10M+ verified, 200 data points each |
| Platforms covered | YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok | YouTube, podcasts, multi-platform | Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X |
| Services | Direct-response on proprietary tech | Scripting, A/B testing, response optimisation | Discovery, vetting and audience data |
| Campaign management | fully managed | fully managed | You run it, software assists |
| Content and usage rights | Per campaign | Per campaign | You negotiate directly with creators |
| Paid amplification | Yes, performance focus | Yes, response focus | Run your own whitelisting |
| Measurement and reporting | Audience data, CPA optimisation | Cost-per optimisation, AOV and LTV aware | Audience and fake-follower data built in |
| Team and locations | San Francisco, founded 2016 | San Diego, founded 2017, part of AP | Software with support included |
| Time to launch | After scoping | After scoping | Shortlist in minutes on the free plan |
How we compared: Engagement models and minimums come from each agency's own site plus public reporting and client reviews, cross-checked and dated June 2026. Where an agency hides its pricing we say undisclosed rather than guess a number. The verdicts are ours, not the agencies'.
What each agency actually does
What is Stargazer
Stargazer attacks performance from the app-marketing angle. Started in San Francisco in 2016 by Antoine Forest, who likes to call it the Facebook Ad Manager of influencer marketing, it runs direct-response campaigns for app and ecommerce brands, chasing installs and sales while keeping CPAs low. Proprietary tech and a network it counts past 2 million creators do the matching, leaning on audience demographics and engagement signals. Its creators have generated over $100 million in sales and more than 10 million installs.
From identification through logistics, tracking and reporting, Stargazer handles the whole run, with bases in San Francisco and Miami. Pricing is private. Against Influencer Response, Stargazer leans on proprietary tech and a large network for app and ecommerce response. The next section covers Influencer Response. A brand that would rather run its own creator search has a third route.
What Stargazer does well
- Proprietary creator-matching technology
- Direct-response, CPA-focused
- 2M+ creator network
- $100M+ sales and 10M+ installs driven
Where it falls short
- No public pricing
- App and ecommerce lean
- Managed only, no self-serve search
- Less scripting craft than DR specialists
What is Influencer Response
Influencer Response built its name tying influencer work to measurable response rather than awareness. Founded in 2017 in San Diego by Josh Butowsky, an award-winning direct-response marketer, it is recognised as one of the industry's first direct-response-focused influencer agencies, running podcast and influencer campaigns aimed at trackable outcomes at a healthy ROI. Its craft is messaging: scripting and relentless A/B testing of everything from video titles to calls to action, optimising cost-per targets while watching AOV and LTV.
After merging with Volt Agency in 2022, Influencer Response was acquired by Acceleration Partners in 2024, slotting into AP's end-to-end affiliate, partnership and influencer offering. Pricing is not published. So where Stargazer leans on proprietary tech and a large network, Influencer Response leans on direct-response craft and now a larger partnership platform. Both chase response, from different angles. For brands that would rather search creators themselves, there is a third path.
What Influencer Response does well
- Direct-response pioneer, response-focused
- Scripting and heavy A/B testing
- Now part of Acceleration Partners
- Aware of cost-per, AOV and LTV
Where it falls short
- No public pricing
- DTC and DR lean
- Managed only, no self-serve search
- Now one brand inside a larger group
Head to head
Stargazer and Influencer Response both chase response, from different angles. Stargazer drives app and ecommerce installs and sales on proprietary tech and a 2-million creator network. Influencer Response built a direct-response craft on scripting and A/B testing, then moved inside Acceleration Partners. One leans on tech and a big network. The other leans on messaging craft and a partnership platform. Your model, app performance or direct-response craft, picks the side.
There is a route around both. Flinque is software: 10M verified creators across four platforms, each with a fake-follower score, at one published price. You run the search in-house, no performance retainer and no scoping call.
Which should you actually pick
Forget the pitch decks for a second. Match the partner to the situation you are in.
You run app or ecommerce direct response
You want proprietary creator-matching tech and CPA discipline for apps and ecommerce. Stargazer works that way.
→ Pick StargazerYou want direct-response influencer craft
You want scripting, A/B testing and response optimisation from a DR pioneer now backed by Acceleration Partners. Influencer Response fits.
→ Pick Influencer ResponseYou want to run discovery yourself
No retainer, no scoping call. You want to search 10M verified creators with a fake-follower check on each. Start free on Flinque and pay $49 only if you keep using it.
→ Pick FlinqueYou are testing influencer marketing
Both are quote-led performance shops. Flinque free plan lets you find and vet verified creators with no card, then scales at a flat $49 a month.
→ Start with FlinqueFlinque: verified discovery at a flat price
If both feel like too much retainer and too little control, Flinque does one job and does it well. Find and vet real creators yourself, fast, then run the campaign in-house. No pitch deck, no monthly retainer, no discovery call to learn the price.
- 10M+ verified creators
- 4 platforms: IG, YouTube, TikTok, X
- 200 data points per creator
- 12 search filters
- Fake-follower check on every profile
- Free, $49, $150, published
See Flinque in action
Short walkthroughs on pricing, discovery and vetting from the Flinque team.
Influencer Discovery Platforms That We Made Easy and Affordable
Find Influencers for $49 a Month: Flinque vs Modash and HypeAuditor (2026)
Common questions about Stargazer and Influencer Response
What is the difference between Stargazer and Influencer Response?
Is Influencer Response independent?
What is Stargazer's edge?
Which is better for app installs?
How much do they cost?
What is Influencer Response known for?
Can I find creators myself with either?
Is there a software alternative to both agencies?
Written & reviewed by Flinque Research Team
Influencer Marketing Research · View team →
Our research team specialises in influencer marketing strategy, creator analytics and platform comparisons. Details on this page were verified against agency sites, public reporting and client review platforms in June 2026.
Disclaimer: Information here is collected from publicly available sources, third-party review sites and vendor pages. Pricing and features change, so confirm current details with each provider before buying. This content is for informational purposes only.
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