Wireless ad hoc networks use mobile devices to de- liver services supported by high-speed network connections and high-speed data transmissions in real time. These devices (network nodes) typically act as the network infrastructure to forward data to other nodes from a source to the destination. However, several constraints (e.g., processor, energy consumption, and bandwidth) affect the overall network performance. Cooperation strategies have been considered as a solution to such network limitations and constraints. Recent studies have presented cooperation mech- anisms as a solution to unstable network infrastructures where mobile nodes cooperate with each other, forwarding data and per- forming all the networking functionalities. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of the art on cooperation strate- gies and algorithms for mobile ad hoc networks and delay-tolerant networks. These challenged networks frequently comprise situa- tions where traditional Internet protocols fail to effectively provide desired or expected communication. This paper focuses on cooperation incentive-based approaches for network architectures that support mobile devices and are challenged by mobility constraints such as battery and storage capacity, broadcast constraints, inter- ferences, disconnections, noises, limited bandwidths, and network delays. The surveyed approaches’ merits and weaknesses are discussed, and open issues are identified. Finally, conclusions are detailed.