by Look, if you’re running a website or app and you need your ad network payments to hit your PayPal account, you’re already thinking like a smart publisher. PayPal is convenient, it’s available almost everywhere, and it doesn’t require jumping through banking hoops that some payment processors do. But finding an ad network that actually pays out reliably via PayPal while also giving you decent rates? That’s where most publishers get stuck.
I’ve been reviewing ad networks for years now, and I’ve watched the landscape shift dramatically. A lot of networks have dropped PayPal support entirely because their minimum payouts got higher and their infrastructure changed. Others added it specifically because publishers kept asking for it. What I’m giving you today is the real breakdown of which networks actually work, what they actually pay, and whether they’re worth your time.
I’m going to be honest about the downsides too. There’s no such thing as a perfect ad network, and I’ve seen too many publishers get burned by trusting a review that only talked about the good stuff. So let’s dig in.
Quick Comparison Table
| Network | Best For | Min Payout | CPM Range (Tier 1/Tier 3) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdSense | Beginners, general content | $100 | $5-$15 / $0.50-$3 | 8.5/10 |
| Mediavine | Mid-tier publishers, premium content | $25 | $12-$25 / $4-$8 | 8/10 |
| AdThrive | Food, lifestyle, niche blogs | $25 | $10-$20 / $3-$6 | 7.5/10 |
| Ezoic | Sites wanting AI optimization | $20 | $6-$18 / $2-$5 | 7/10 |
| PropellerAds | App publishers, high traffic | $5 | $4-$12 / $1-$3 | 7/10 |
| Infolinks | International publishers | $50 | $3-$8 / $0.50-$2 | 6.5/10 |
| Sovrn | Publishers wanting header bidding | $100 | $8-$20 / $2-$5 | 7.5/10 |
| Conversant (ValueClick) | Native ads, sponsored content | $100 | $5-$15 / $1.50-$4 | 6.5/10 |
| Popunder.pro | Aggressive monetization, traffic arbitrage | $10 | $1-$5 / $0.20-$1 | 5.5/10 |
| AdCash | Adult, gaming, crypto niches | $10 | $2-$8 / $0.30-$1.50 | 6/10 |
1. Google AdSense
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Google AdSense is still the foundation that most new publishers build on, and for good reason. It’s straightforward, it pays via PayPal (or direct deposit), and it has the backing of the most powerful advertising machine on the planet.
Here’s how it actually works: You place ad code on your site, Google serves ads, and they keep 32% while you get 68%. Those percentages have been rock-solid for years, which is actually one of the few things Google doesn’t change on a whim. The ads are contextually targeted and performance-based, meaning you’re not working with a fixed CPM—you’re getting whatever advertisers are willing to pay for your traffic quality.
For Tier 1 traffic—that’s US, UK, Canada, Australia—you’re looking at $5 to $15 CPM on average. I’ve seen publishers with really premium niches (financial services, tech) push higher, sometimes hitting $20+. For Tier 3 traffic (India, Southeast Asia, Latin America), realistic numbers are $0.50 to $3 CPM. Most publishers don’t like to advertise these lower numbers, but that’s the reality.
The real pros: AdSense is accessible to literally everyone, it requires almost no technical knowledge, it’s stable, and payments are reliable. You can start monetizing with minimal traffic. The payouts to PayPal work every month without fail. It also has Google’s quality standards, which means you’re not dealing with scammy advertisers serving malware or sketchy content.
The cons are real though. First, the CPMs are just lower than what premium networks pay. Second, Google is famously strict about policy violations, and if you mess up—even accidentally—your account can be disabled with thousands of dollars pending. Third, you’re stuck with whatever Google decides to serve. You can’t optimize for higher-paying ad networks or implement your own strategy. And fourth, competition is brutal because everyone uses AdSense, which means ad inventory is flooded and prices stay low.
Who should skip it: If you’ve got over 100K monthly pageviews and premium Tier 1 traffic, you’re leaving serious money on the table staying with AdSense alone. You should at least explore premium networks.
2. Mediavine
Mediavine is what I call the “sweet spot” network for mid-tier publishers who want to jump up from AdSense without the insane requirements of even more exclusive networks.
To get approved, you need 25,000 monthly pageviews minimum and a decent content reputation. That’s it. No complex application process, no waiting six months. I’ve seen sites get approved in two weeks. Once you’re in, you get a dedicated account manager, which alone changes the game because you actually have someone to call when there’s a problem.
Mediavine uses what’s called “lazy loading” for ads, which technically improves your page speed—a nice bonus for SEO. Their CPMs? For Tier 1 traffic, I’ve consistently seen $12 to $25 range. That’s 2-3x higher than AdSense. For Tier 3, it’s more like $4 to $8, which is still solid. The variance depends on seasonality and content vertical, but food and lifestyle blogs tend to do particularly well, hitting the higher end of that range.
The payout minimum is $25, which is incredibly low. Most networks are $100+. They pay monthly via PayPal without any drama. Their interface is clean and reporting is transparent—you can see exactly what you earned, from which placements, and which traffic sources performed best.
Downsides: They have strict content policies. You can’t have clickbait, certain types of affiliate content, or low-quality pages. If Google slaps your site with a manual action, Mediavine will too. They’re also pretty selective about renewals—if your traffic drops significantly, they might not renew your contract. And their support, while better than most networks, is still not as responsive as you’d want during critical issues.
Also, Mediavine only works if you can handle their ad placements. They’re strict about where ads go and how many you can have. If you want total control over your site design, this might feel constraining.
Who should skip it: Niche publishers in adult, gambling, or controversial political content. Mediavine is too strict for those verticals.
3. AdThrive
AdThrive is similar to Mediavine on the surface—premium network, good payouts, requires mid-level traffic—but it operates quite differently on the backend.
The minimum requirement is 100K pageviews monthly, which is higher than Mediavine, but if you meet it, you get into a network that’s honestly more flexible about content. AdThrive doesn’t have the same draconian content policies. You can monetize affiliate content more aggressively, you can have more ads, and you get more placements to experiment with.
CPMs for Tier 1 traffic land around $10 to $20, sometimes higher if your audience is in finance or tech. Tier 3 traffic runs $3 to $6 CPM. These numbers are slightly lower than Mediavine but not dramatically so, and the flexibility makes up for it.
What I really like about AdThrive: They have a revenue optimization team that actually helps. They’ll analyze your site, suggest placements, and implement changes to improve your earnings. This isn’t just algorithm—there are actual humans involved. Payment is reliable, minimum payout is $25, and PayPal transfers happen on schedule.
The con: That 100K requirement is a real barrier. You can’t get in until you hit it. And their support response time isn’t great—expect 24-48 hours for non-critical issues. Also, they reserve the right to change their payout structure without much notice, which has happened before and left some publishers frustrated.
Who should skip it: Sites below 100K pageviews should apply to Mediavine instead. Also skip this if you need hyper-responsive support.
4. Ezoic
Ezoic is the weird one on this list because it’s not just an ad network—it’s an ad network plus a website optimization platform. Some publishers love this, others find it invasive.
Here’s the pitch: You integrate Ezoic, they take over your ad placements and use AI to optimize where ads go, how many load, and which ads serve to which users. The result is supposed to be higher RPM (revenue per thousand impressions). Minimum traffic requirement is basically nothing—you can start with 1,000 monthly pageviews.
The CPM reality: Tier 1 traffic averages $6 to $18, Tier 3 is $2 to $5. These numbers vary wildly depending on what their AI decides is optimal for your specific traffic. I’ve seen the same site see a 40% increase in RPM and I’ve seen a 15% decrease. It really depends.
The big pro: Ezoic does real optimization. If it works for your site, you’ll earn more than you would with standard placements. They also give you a ton of data about ad performance. And honestly, their support is responsive—you can chat with someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.
The cons are substantial: First, Ezoic takes a cut. It’s usually around 10-15%, so they’re not just providing a service, they’re taking revenue. Second, their platform is complicated. If you don’t understand ad networks, you might struggle. Third, they’ll insert their own placements into your site, and while they’re usually not intrusive, they’re not always where you want them. Fourth, some publishers report that Ezoic’s traffic quality detection is aggressive, meaning they might exclude traffic they deem low-quality, which reduces your overall earnings even if that traffic was legitimate.
Who should skip it: If you’re technical and want full control, the automated optimization will feel like losing your site. Also skip if you value simplicity.
5. PropellerAds
PropellerAds is what I recommend when someone says “I need a network that will accept my traffic and pay me quickly.” It’s not the most premium option, but it’s the most forgiving.
Approval is nearly automatic. I’ve seen sites get approved with 1K monthly visitors. They work with app publishers, web publishers, everyone. The minimum payout is just $5, which means you can cash out weekly if you want. And they absolutely support PayPal.
For Tier 1 traffic, CPMs run $4 to $12. For Tier 3, it’s $1 to $3. These are lower than premium networks, sure, but the speed of approval and the flexibility matter to a lot of publishers.
What makes PropellerAds special: They have push notifications as an ad format, which monetizes differently than display ads and can actually perform well if your audience is engaged. They also have pop-under ads, which are old-school but still effective for certain traffic types. If you’re running traffic arbitrage or have highly engaged users, these formats can actually outperform standard display.
The downside: They’re less selective about traffic quality. I’m not saying they accept fraud, but they accept traffic that premium networks would reject. This means you might see lower CPMs because your traffic pool is mixed quality. Also, pop-unders and push notifications can hurt your site’s user experience and might get you flagged by ad blockers or browsers.
Support is functional but not amazing. You won’t get a personal account manager. You’ll get support via ticket, and response times are 12-24 hours.
Who should skip it: If you have premium content and good traffic, you’re underpricing yourself with PropellerAds. Aim higher.
6. Infolinks
Infolinks is the international player. If your traffic is primarily outside the US or Europe, this network tends to do better than others because they have stronger relationships with advertisers in those regions.
Minimum approval is low, and they accept pretty much any content. CPMs for Tier 1 are $3 to $8, which is lower than premium networks but acceptable for international publishers. Tier 3 traffic gets $0.50 to $2. The real advantage is if you have, say, Indian or Brazilian traffic—Infolinks will pay better rates for that than most other networks.
They offer multiple ad formats: in-text ads (where keywords get highlighted), display ads, and native ads. The in-text ads are their signature and can actually work well if your site content is text-heavy.
Minimum payout is $50, which is higher than some networks but reasonable. PayPal support is solid, and payments happen reliably.
Cons: The CPMs are just lower overall. Even for Tier 1 traffic, $3 to $8 is not competitive. If you have US or UK traffic, you’d do better elsewhere. Also, in-text ads can feel spammy to users—they highlight words and pop up ads when hovered, which some people find annoying. This can impact user experience and bounce rate.
Who should skip it: Publishers focused on US/UK traffic should use networks with higher CPMs. Infolinks shines for international publishers, not domestic ones.
7. Sovrn
Sovrn is for publishers who want to join the programmatic advertising world and actually understand what’s happening with their ad inventory.
If you’re not familiar with programmatic advertising: basically, instead of selling ads directly to advertisers, you open your inventory to an auction where dozens of ad networks and agencies bid in real-time. Sovrn facilitates this via something called “header bidding,” where multiple ad sources compete simultaneously before the page even loads.
The result is higher CPMs because of real competition. For Tier 1 traffic, you’re looking at $8 to $20 CPM. Tier 3 is $2 to $5. The range is wide because it depends on the time of year, the quality of your traffic, and what advertisers are interested in.
Sovrn minimum is $100 monthly, and they require a bit more traffic (usually 50K monthly pageviews minimum). But if you meet it, you get a relatively sophisticated advertising setup.
The pro: Real-time bidding means genuine price discovery. You’re getting fair market value for your inventory instead of whatever one network decides to pay. Plus, Sovrn has become more transparent about their fee structure compared to other networks.
The con: Header bidding is complex. It requires technical integration, it can slow down your site if not implemented properly (though Sovrn has tools to mitigate this), and it requires monitoring and maintenance. If you’re not technical, you’ll need to hire help or use a managed service. Also, Sovrn’s PayPal support is solid, but their overall support isn’t the strongest—you’re somewhat on your own once you’re set up.
Who should skip it: If you lack technical skills or site speed is already a problem, the complexity won’t be worth it.
8. Conversant (formerly ValueClick)
Conversant is the old-school ad network that’s been around since the late 90s. They’ve evolved significantly and now focus on sponsored content and native advertising alongside display ads.
CPMs are moderate: Tier 1 traffic gets $5 to $15, Tier 3 gets $1.50 to $4. The interesting part is their focus on native ads and sponsored content, which can actually perform better in certain niches because they feel less like ads and more like content.
Minimum payout is $100, payment frequency is monthly, and they do support PayPal. Approval is relatively easy, and they work across most verticals.
What’s decent about Conversant: They have a long history and stability. They’re not going anywhere. Their native advertising format works really well for some content types. And if you’re looking to mix multiple revenue streams (affiliate + ads), their sponsored content option fits well.
Downsides: CPMs are middle-of-the-road, nothing special. Their support is adequate but not enthusiastic. And their platform interface feels a bit dated—it works fine, but it doesn’t have the polish of newer networks.
Who should skip it: If you have premium Tier 1 traffic, premium networks will pay better. If you have low-traffic content, the $100 minimum is problematic.
9. Popunder.pro
Okay, let’s talk about the aggressive monetization option. Popunder.pro is not for everyone, and I’m honest about that.
Pop-unders are ads that load behind your browser window and appear when you close your current window or switch tabs. They’re one of the most profitable ad formats because of the annoyance factor—users can’t ignore them—but they’re also the most despised by users.
Minimum payout is just $10, minimum traffic is basically nothing. CPMs are low: $1 to $5 for Tier 1, $0.20 to $1 for Tier 3. But here’s the thing—pop-unders get more impressions per user because they can fire multiple times in a session. Some publishers report actual earnings that are competitive despite the lower CPM.
Popunder.pro’s strength: They accept literally any traffic. Bots, questionable sources, anything. They have the highest tolerance for traffic quality issues of any network on this list. And they pay. Reliably. Via PayPal. Weekly if you want.
The massive con: Pop-unders wreck user experience. Your bounce rate will increase. Your time-on-site will drop. If you’re building a real site with an audience that matters, pop-unders are a death sentence. Users will leave. You’ll see it in your analytics immediately.
This network makes sense if you’re running traffic arbitrage (buying cheap traffic, monetizing it, and flipping it for profit), or if you have high-volume, high-churn traffic that doesn’t matter to you long-term. It doesn’t make sense if you’re building a brand.
Who should skip it: Literally any publisher building something real should skip this. Seriously.
10. AdCash
AdCash is the alternative network for publishers in niches that premium networks won’t touch. If you’re in adult content, gambling, or cryptocurrency, AdCash actually works with you.
They have very low approval barriers. Minimum payout is $10. CPMs are $2 to $8 for Tier 1 (though if you’re in a high-value niche, this can go higher), and $0.30 to $1.50 for Tier 3. Not amazing, but acceptable for niches with limited options.
AdCash offers multiple formats: display, pop-unders, native ads. They have a global presence and strong relationships in emerging markets, so if your traffic is international, they sometimes perform better than generic networks.
Pro: They’re accessible. They work with content most networks reject. Payments are reliable via PayPal. Support is functional.
Con: CPMs are just lower than mainstream networks. Quality screening is looser, so you might see ads for sketchy products on your site. And their reporting interface is confusing—you’ll spend time figuring out what actually earned what.
Who should skip it: If you have mainstream content and mainstream traffic, better networks will pay more. Use AdCash only if you can’t get approved elsewhere.
How to Pick the Right Network for Your Situation
Forget the ranking. The “best” network for you depends entirely on your specific situation.
Step 1: Honestly assess your traffic volume and source. How many monthly pageviews do you actually have? Where is your traffic from? US/UK is Tier 1. India, Indonesia, Philippines, Brazil, Mexico is Tier 3. Don’t round up. If you’re getting 40K pageviews, you’re not a “50K publisher.”
Step 2: Know your content vertical. Is it mainstream (tech, news, entertainment, lifestyle)? Or is it niche (adult, crypto, gambling)? Mainstream opens doors to premium networks. Niche limits options.
Step 3: Determine your revenue goals. Are you trying to squeeze every dollar from your traffic, or is ad revenue secondary to your business? If it’s secondary, AdSense is fine. If it’s primary, you need better networks.
Step 4: Apply accordingly.** Here’s my roadmap:
If you have less than 25K pageviews: Start with Google AdSense. It’s the only realistic option. Once you hit 25K, move to Mediavine or AdThrive.
If you have 25K-100K pageviews with Tier 1 traffic: Apply to Mediavine. It’s the fastest to approve and will double your earnings over AdSense. Consider AdThrive as a backup.
If you have 100K+ pageviews with premium Tier 1 traffic: You can apply to premium networks like Mediavine, AdThrive, or Sovrn depending on your technical comfort. If you have significant Tier 3 traffic too, consider a multi-network approach.
If you have mainstream Tier 3 traffic (India, Southeast Asia): Layer Infolinks under a primary network. Infolinks actually pays better for that traffic.
If you’re in a niche vertical (adult, crypto, gambling): Start with PropellerAds or AdCash. You won’t get into premium networks anyway. Focus on extracting value within your constraints.
If you want to optimize aggressively: Try Ezoic if you’re not technical. Try Sovrn if you are technical.
Step 5: Don’t put all eggs in one basket. The best publishers don’t use one network. They use 2-3 networks simultaneously. For example: Mediavine as primary (takes ~70% of ad slots), AdSense in the remaining slots, and maybe Infolinks as a third layer. This approach maximizes yield because different networks win different auctions.
The technical term is “waterfalling,” and it’s how professional publishers operate. Most ad networks allow this. Check their TOS, but it’s usually fine as long as you’re transparent about it.
Five Questions Publishers Always Ask
Q: Why is my CPM so much lower than what you quoted?
A: Because seasonality, content quality, and user behavior matter enormously. Summer typically has lower CPMs than Q4. Technology and finance content get higher CPMs than entertainment and memes. Users who read articles get better CPMs than users who just scroll. If your traffic is predominantly low-engagement, mobile users from Tier 3 countries reading listicles, your CPM will be at the bottom of the range I quoted. That’s normal, not a sign something’s wrong.
Q: Is it okay to be in multiple ad networks simultaneously?
A: Yes, with caveats. You can’t double-serve the same ad slot (that violates terms and gets you banned). But you can absolutely segment your site—AdSense gets header ads, Mediavine gets mid-content, Infolinks gets in-text. This is standard practice. Read each network’s TOS carefully, but nearly all allow it.
Q: How long does approval actually take?
A: AdSense: 24 hours to 2 weeks. Mediavine: 2-7 days. AdThrive: 3-7 days. PropellerAds: 24 hours. Ezoic: Same day. If it takes longer than the stated timeframe, follow up. Approvals get stuck in queues sometimes.
Q: Can I switch networks if I’m not happy?
A: Yes, but understand what happens. You’ll lose earnings history with that network, but your earnings are usually paid out before you leave. Some networks have non-compete clauses for a few months (you can’t use a competitor’s network), but these are rare. You can typically switch freely. That said, it takes 2-4 weeks to get approved to a new network and set up ads, so you’ll have a gap in earnings.
Q: My PayPal is from another country. Can I still get paid?
A: Depends on your country and the network. PayPal works in 200+ countries, so if PayPal operates there, most networks will pay you. Some networks have country-specific restrictions (they won’t work with publishers in certain countries due to regulatory stuff). Check before applying. If PayPal doesn’t work in your country, some networks offer cryptocurrency or wire transfers, but most prefer PayPal for simplicity.
The Bottom Line
If I had to pick one network to recommend broadly, it’s Mediavine. For the price of admission (25K pageviews), it gives you the best bang for buck. The CPMs are 2-3x higher than AdSense, the minimum payout is low, the payments are reliable, and you get actual support from a human. It’s the network that helped thousands of publishers transition from hobby to actual business.
That said, the “best” network is the one that fits your specific situation. A new publisher should stay with AdSense until they hit 25K. A niche publisher in adult content should skip straight to AdCash. A technical publisher with good traffic should experiment with header bidding via Sovrn. A publisher who wants simplicity over optimization should stick with Mediavine even if they could theoretically make more with a more complex setup.
The real opportunity isn’t finding the one perfect network. It’s understanding your traffic, your content, and your capacity to optimize, then picking networks that align with those realities. Then test, measure, and adjust. CPMs vary. What works in January might not work in July. Good publishers don’t just set it and forget it—they monitor performance and make changes quarterly.
Start with what makes sense for where you are right now. Then upgrade as you grow. That’s the path that actually works.
