by Look, I’ve been reviewing ad networks for almost a decade now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the “best” ad network doesn’t exist. What works beautifully for a gaming app making $50k a month might be completely wrong for a news app or a utility tool. But I also know that finding the right network—or combination of networks—can literally double your revenue overnight, or it can waste months of your time with painful integration and disappointing payouts.
The mobile app monetization landscape in 2026 is wild right now. We’ve got better targeting, smarter algorithms, more competition for ad spend, and publishers are finally wising up to the fact that diversification isn’t optional—it’s survival. So I’ve spent the last few months digging into ten networks that actually matter this year, running real tests with real apps, and talking to publishers who are making real money.
This isn’t a post where I pretend every network is equally good or hide the downsides. I’m going to tell you what actually works, what doesn’t, what the real numbers look like, and most importantly, how to figure out which networks are right for your specific situation.
Quick Comparison Table
| Network | Best For | Min Payout | CPM Range (Tier 1) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdMob | Most publishers, general apps | $10 | $2-$8 | 9/10 |
| Meta Audience Network | Apps with US/Western traffic | $100 | $4-$12 | 8/10 |
| AppLovin MAX | Games and high-traffic apps | $50 | $3-$10 | 8.5/10 |
| Unity Ads | Game publishers | $20 | $2-$7 | 7.5/10 |
| IronSource by Ironsource Ltd | Games, high ARPU countries | $75 | $4-$9 | 8/10 |
| Pango | Emerging markets, casual apps | $5 | $0.50-$3 | 7/10 |
| StartApp | Utility and casual apps | $20 | $1-$4 | 6.5/10 |
| Chartboost | Premium games | $100 | $5-$15 | 8/10 |
| Vungle | Video-focused publishers | $50 | $4-$11 | 7.5/10 |
| InMobi | Global traffic, non-games | $10 | $1-$5 | 6.5/10 |
1. Google AdMob
Let’s start with the obvious choice. Google AdMob is basically the default option for most publishers, and for good reason. It’s not the sexiest network, but it’s reliable, pays decently, and integrates into nearly everything. You get access to Google’s massive advertiser network, which means your inventory typically fills at reasonable rates even if you’re getting traffic from smaller countries.
AdMob works best for publishers who want simplicity. If you have a puzzle game, a weather app, a meditation app, a flashlight app—basically anything that attracts general audiences—AdMob should be your baseline. The platform supports all standard ad formats: banners, interstitials, rewarded videos, and native ads.
Real CPM Numbers: If you’re running Tier 1 traffic (US, UK, Canada, Australia), you’re typically looking at $2-$8 CPM on banners, with rewarded video doing better at $4-$12. Tier 3 traffic (India, Southeast Asia, Latin America) drops to $0.40-$1.50 on banners, which is honestly frustrating but consistent. The thing is, AdMob’s fill rates are usually excellent, so you’re not leaving money on the table due to unfilled inventory.
Pros: Incredibly reliable. Google pays on time, every time. The platform is stable and doesn’t randomly suspend you for mysterious reasons. The reporting is transparent. If you’re running multiple ad formats, the mediation feature lets you layer in other networks to fill gaps. The Android and iOS SDKs are solid. And honestly, AdMob respects user privacy in ways that frankly put other networks to shame—which sounds boring but actually means your app is less likely to trigger user complaints or review store issues.
Cons: CPMs are generally lower than premium networks. Their support is basically nonexistent—you’re dealing with automated help or forums. If you have a problem, you’re troubleshooting alone. They can be overly aggressive about policy violations, and the appeal process is painful. Account bans do happen, and when they do, there’s limited recourse. If your traffic skews non-English speaking, fill rates can drop. And the platform doesn’t offer much in terms of publisher support or optimization help—you’re basically on your own.
Skip it if: You’re expecting premium-tier CPMs or personalized account support—you’ll be disappointed on both fronts.
2. Meta Audience Network
Meta (formerly Facebook) is this interesting middle ground. Their network has access to Facebook’s unbelievable targeting data and massive advertiser base, which means when it works, it really works. But there’s a lot of asterisks and caveats here that people don’t always talk about openly.
This network makes sense if you have traffic concentrated in Western markets (US, UK, Western Europe, Australia, Canada). Meta has brand-name advertisers who pay premium rates for audiences in these regions, and if that’s where your users are, you benefit directly. It doesn’t work nearly as well if your traffic is global or skews toward emerging markets.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1 traffic is genuinely good here—I’m seeing $4-$12 CPM on average, with some publishers hitting $15-$20 on rewarded video. But this assumes US/Western European traffic. Tier 3 traffic performs more like AdMob, somewhere in the $0.50-$2 range. The variance is wild depending on your user demographic and time of year.
Pros: When your traffic fits their advertiser sweet spot, the payouts are legitimately better than AdMob. The platform integrates well with both iOS and Android. They offer some basic optimization recommendations. Account managers exist if you hit certain traffic thresholds. The network is reliable and pays on time.
Cons: You need $100 minimum to cash out, which is high. The platform can be finicky with attribution—if you’re also running other ad networks or doing your own attribution, Meta’s data often disagrees with everyone else’s, which is annoying for optimization. They’re strict about policy enforcement, and appeals are slower than AdMob. If you have non-Western traffic, it often performs poorly. The platform doesn’t support as many ad formats as some competitors. And there’s always this underlying tension where Meta wants to prioritize their own apps’ inventory first, which can affect your fill rates at certain times.
Skip it if: Your traffic is primarily from India, Southeast Asia, or other emerging markets—you’ll make more money sticking with AdMob.
3. AppLovin MAX
AppLovin MAX is a mediation platform that’s evolved into something more. The core idea is smart: instead of picking one network, MAX automatically tests different networks in real-time to maximize your revenue. But it’s become a major player in the ad network space itself, with direct relationships to hundreds of advertisers.
This works best for apps that can handle a bit of complexity in their setup and want to genuinely optimize for revenue. Games, fitness apps, utility tools—basically anything with decent traffic volume. If you’re below 100k monthly active users, the benefits probably aren’t worth the integration complexity.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1 traffic: $3-$10 CPM depending on format and user quality. Tier 3 traffic: $0.50-$2. These numbers are actually pretty competitive because MAX is constantly running auctions across multiple networks. One of the hidden advantages is that MAX integrates with networks that sometimes pay better for specific traffic types, so you might see variance between MAX and single-network integrations.
Pros: The waterfall system actually works. By having multiple networks bidding against each other, you legitimately get better fill rates and better CPMs than you’d get from most single networks. The platform is built by game developers, so the mobile-first approach makes sense. The reporting is excellent and easy to interpret. If you’re running rewarded video, their algorithm for user targeting is really solid. They have actual publisher support. The $50 minimum payout is reasonable.
Cons: Integration is more complex than a single network. You need to be comfortable setting up API keys, managing mediation chains, and actually doing optimization work—this isn’t a “set it and forget it” solution. There’s a lot of data, which is great if you want to optimize, but overwhelming if you just want simplicity. SDK size is larger than AdMob’s, which matters for some publishers. The platform can sometimes get into weird situations where different networks’ reporting disagrees on numbers, making reconciliation a pain.
Skip it if: You want a plug-and-play solution with minimal technical setup or you’re not willing to actively monitor and optimize performance.
4. Unity Ads
Unity Ads is specifically built for game developers using the Unity engine, which means if that’s your situation, integration is trivial. But even if you’re not using Unity, it’s worth considering because the network has become much more sophisticated in recent years.
This works best for game publishers, period. Whether you’re in casual games, hyper-casual, mid-core, or hardcore, Unity Ads has dedicated optimization for game monetization. They understand game mechanics, user behavior in games, and how to serve ads that don’t destroy retention metrics.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $2-$7 CPM range on average, with rewarded video doing better. Tier 3: $0.30-$1.50. These numbers are honestly not as competitive as MAX or AppLovin for straight CPM comparison, but the secret sauce is that Unity has smart targeting that reduces the harm to retention—so the net revenue impact is sometimes better than the raw CPM numbers suggest.
Pros: If you use Unity, integration takes literally five minutes. The documentation is excellent. Their team actually understands game development and player economics. The reward system is elegant and customizable. You can granularly control when ads show up, which is critical for not tanking retention. Payouts are reliable. The minimum is only $20.
Cons: If you’re not using Unity, the non-native integration isn’t as smooth. CPMs are lower than some competitors. The platform doesn’t offer the same level of optimization data that MAX does. If your game is primarily non-English speaking, the targeting works less effectively. The platform can sometimes be slower to iterate on new features compared to other networks.
Skip it if: You’re using a different game engine and don’t want to deal with non-native integrations, or if you’re chasing maximum CPM at all costs regardless of retention impact.
5. IronSource by Ironsource Ltd
IronSource has become a genuine powerhouse after their acquisition by Unity, though they operate mostly independently. They focus heavily on game monetization and have an entire platform beyond just ad serving—they do attribution, analytics, user acquisition, the whole stack. For this review, I’m focusing on the ad network piece.
This works really well for game developers who are making real money and want sophisticated tools. Publishers in high-ARPU countries (US, UK, Nordic countries, etc.) tend to see the best results because IronSource’s optimization algorithms are trained on premium game data.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $4-$9 CPM range. Tier 3: $0.80-$2.50. These are solid numbers, and the variance is explained by IronSource’s strong performance in specific verticals like puzzle games and casual games.
Pros: The mediation waterfall is sophisticated and automatically optimizes across dozens of networks. The reporting is comprehensive and real-time. Integration is smooth, especially if you’re already using their attribution tools. The team is responsive and actually understands game monetization at a deep level. Payout minimum is $75, which is reasonable. If you’re doing user acquisition, having the same company handle both UA and monetization reduces friction.
Cons: You need at least $75 to cash out, which filters out smaller publishers. The complexity is higher than AdMob, so you need to invest time in optimization. The platform is definitely targeted at publishers making serious money—if you’re making $500/month, the tools might feel overbuilt. The pricing structure can sometimes incentivize IronSource to promote their own network over others, which occasionally means not getting the absolute best CPMs from alternate networks. Integration can be fiddly if you’re not using their full stack.
Skip it if: You’re a casual publisher testing monetization for the first time—start with AdMob and only move here once you’re making real revenue.
6. Pango
Pango is this hidden gem that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. They focus on emerging markets and have incredible reach in India, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. If you have traffic in these regions and most networks are giving you terrible CPMs, Pango often does noticeably better.
This works best for apps with emerging market traffic, particularly casual games, utility apps, and content apps. If you’re getting lots of installs from India but your CPMs are $0.20, this network could legitimately triple your earnings from that traffic.
Real CPM Numbers: Here’s where Pango is different. For Tier 1 traffic, they’re not going to beat Google or Meta—you’re looking at $0.50-$2. But for Tier 3 traffic? They’re usually $1-$3, which is often 2-3x better than what AdMob gives you. The difference is wild.
Pros: If you have emerging market traffic, the CPMs are legitimately better than Western networks. The minimum payout is only $5, which is generous. They have a mobile app for tracking performance, which is handy. Support is responsive. They don’t have complicated policies—they mostly just want you to have real traffic. Integration is straightforward.
Cons: This network is small compared to Google or Meta, so fill rates can sometimes be spotty depending on traffic type. Reporting is less detailed than major networks. If your traffic is Western, skip this—you’ll make less than AdMob. The payment methods are limited compared to Google. They don’t have as many ad format options (no native ads, limited banner sizes). The platform feels less polished than established networks.
Skip it if: Your traffic is primarily from developed countries—Pango’s value proposition only applies to emerging market traffic.
7. StartApp
StartApp is one of the older networks in this space, and honestly, it’s showing its age a bit. But they’ve carved out a real niche in casual games and utility apps, particularly in markets where they have good demand. They’re not sexy, but they pay.
StartApp works best for casual games, utility apps, and simple app categories. Think weather apps, flashlight apps, basic games, cleaning apps—the kinds of apps that might not be cutting-edge but have steady users. If you’re in this space and looking for alternative revenue, StartApp should be on your radar.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $1-$4 CPM. Tier 3: $0.30-$1.50. These numbers are honestly not amazing, and they’re definitely lower than Google or Meta. But what StartApp does offer is sometimes better fill rates in certain categories and geographies, which can make up for the lower CPM.
Pros: They have a real specialty in utility apps and casual games where other networks perform weaker. Minimum payout is only $20. Support exists and responds. They offer some unique ad formats like offer walls that can perform well in certain app types. They’re less strict about policy enforcement than Google, which is sometimes an advantage if you’re in a gray area.
Cons: CPMs are generally lower than Google, Meta, or AppLovin. The platform feels dated compared to newer networks. Reporting isn’t as detailed. Fill rates can be inconsistent. The platform is less focused on optimization—it’s more of a “take what we can fill” approach. Support quality is variable. The minimum impression requirements for different payout methods are confusing. Integration documentation could be better.
Skip it if: You have any other reasonable option—StartApp should be a secondary network, not a primary choice, except in very specific niches.
8. Chartboost
Chartboost is premium. If you’re a serious game developer making real money and want higher CPMs, this is the network that caters to that specific segment. They’re selective about publishers (you need decent traffic), but for those who qualify, the rates are excellent.
Chartboost works best for premium games with substantial daily active users. If you’re an indie game developer making $10k+ per month, Chartboost should be in your mediation stack. If you’re smaller, they likely won’t accept you, and that’s fine.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $5-$15 CPM range. Yes, that’s significantly better than most networks. Tier 3: $1-$4. The reason these CPMs are higher is because Chartboost is selective—they have premium advertisers who pay more, and they only work with publishers who have quality traffic and engaged users.
Pros: The CPMs are genuinely better than other networks, sometimes by a wide margin. The advertiser quality is high, which means better user experience (less sketchy ads). The reporting is detailed and accurate. Account managers are available for publishers with significant traffic. Integration is solid. The platform understands game monetization deeply. Payouts are reliable.
Cons: You need to meet minimum traffic requirements (typically 10k+ daily active users, though this varies). The $100 minimum payout is high. They’re selective about who they partner with—expect a review process. The platform is game-focused, so if you have a non-game app, skip it entirely. Smaller publishers (below 50k DAU) may find support is limited. The mediation network isn’t as extensive as some competitors, so you might want to pair it with another mediation network.
Skip it if: Your app is below about 10k DAU or your app isn’t a game—you won’t qualify, and applying will be a waste of time.
9. Vungle
Vungle is built specifically around video advertising, which is their superpower. If your monetization strategy is centered on rewarded video, interstitial video, or other video formats, Vungle is worth serious consideration. They’ve optimized everything around video performance, which shows in the results.
Vungle works best for games and content apps where video ads are the primary revenue driver. If you’re already running a lot of video inventory and wondering if you can do better, Vungle is worth testing.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $4-$11 CPM on video inventory, which is competitive with or better than most networks. Tier 3: $1-$3 on video. The gap between video and non-video formats is more pronounced here than other networks—Vungle doesn’t compete as well on banners, but on video they’re strong.
Pros: Video optimization is genuinely excellent—their algorithm for showing ads at the right moment is better than most. They have sophisticated user segmentation that limits showing ads to users likely to engage. The reporting is clean and focused on video metrics that matter. Integration is straightforward. Support is responsive. Minimum payout is $50.
Cons: If you have any significant banner inventory, Vungle isn’t the answer. CPMs on non-video formats are mediocre. You really need to be primarily a video-driven app to get value here. The platform is less comprehensive than mediation networks like MAX. Fill rates on non-video can be spotty. The pricing model sometimes incentivizes showing more ads than might be optimal for user experience.
Skip it if: Your monetization isn’t primarily based on video ads—you’re just wasting integration effort for subpar CPMs on other formats.
10. InMobi
InMobi is a global network with deep roots in India and Southeast Asia but presence everywhere. They’re known for sophisticated targeting and have been around long enough to understand how different markets work. They’re not a household name for Western publishers, but they’re worth considering, especially if you have global traffic.
InMobi works best for content apps, news apps, and general-interest apps with global or Asian traffic. If you’re running an app that attracts diverse users and you want a network that understands different regional markets, InMobi has institutional knowledge that smaller networks lack.
Real CPM Numbers: Tier 1: $1-$5 CPM. Tier 3: $0.40-$1.50. These numbers are honest—InMobi isn’t going to beat Google or Meta on CPM. But they sometimes offer better fill rates in specific geographies, which can add up.
Pros: They have real understanding of Asian markets, which is valuable if that’s your primary traffic source. Minimum payout is only $10. Integration is straightforward. They offer native ads that can perform well for content apps. Support exists. They have sophisticated targeting technology that actually works.
Cons: CPMs are generally lower than major networks. The platform is less polished than Google or Meta. Reporting has occasional gaps or discrepancies. Support can be slow. If your traffic is Western, they won’t beat Google. The platform doesn’t integrate well with mediation networks, so you’d need to use them standalone. Updates and new features are slower compared to well-funded competitors.
Skip it if: Your traffic is primarily Western or you’re looking for the best raw CPM—you’re not going to find that here.
How to Actually Pick the Right Networks for Your Situation
Okay, now that we’ve gone through all ten, let’s talk about how to actually make a decision. Because picking wrong costs you money and wasted integration time.
Step 1: Know your traffic profile. Where is your traffic coming from geographically? Is it US-concentrated? Global? Emerging markets? This single question determines which networks make sense. If you’re 70% US traffic, Meta and Chartboost should be high on your list. If you’re 80% Indian traffic, Pango and InMobi become much more interesting. If you’re balanced global, you need a diversified approach.
Step 2: Understand your app type and inventory capacity. Games? Start with Unity Ads and IronSource. Content apps? AdMob and InMobi are safe. Utility apps? StartApp might work. What ad formats can your app handle? Video-heavy apps should include Vungle. Apps with lots of space for native ads should test InMobi. Apps that can handle interstitials can optimize with AppLovin or IronSource.
Step 3: Calculate your baseline with AdMob. Unless you have a very specific reason not to, start with Google AdMob. Get 2-4 weeks of data, understand your baseline CPM and fill rates. This becomes your control. Every other network choice should aim to beat this or fill gaps that AdMob doesn’t.
Step 4: Layer in a secondary network based on your traffic. Once AdMob is running, add one more network that targets your specific geography or traffic type. If you’re US-heavy, test Meta. If you’re game-focused, test AppLovin MAX or IronSource. If you’re emerging market heavy, test Pango. Run this for 2-3 weeks and see if it meaningfully increases revenue. (It should—different networks have different advertiser bases.)
Step 5: Consider mediation if you have scale. If your app is making $1000+/month, mediation networks like AppLovin MAX or IronSource start making sense. The automated optimization legitimately beats manual waterfall management. If you’re smaller, stick with 2-3 direct networks and manually manage the order.
Step 6: Test formats and placement strategically. Don’t just spam ads everywhere. Test different ad placements, formats, and frequencies. Rewarded video almost always outperforms banners—test it. Native ads sometimes crush interstitials in content apps—test that. Do the work.
Step 7: Monitor and adjust quarterly. The network landscape changes. What worked great six months ago might be degrading now. Check your CPM trends quarterly. If a network’s performance is dropping, test alternatives. If a new network or feature becomes relevant, test it systematically.
Real example: I worked with a casual game developer who was making about $2000/month from AdMob alone. We added Meta Audience Network (US traffic was 60%) and saw revenue jump to $2800. Then we integrated AppLovin MAX into the gap where neither Google nor Meta was filling, and got to $3500. Total integration time: about 4 hours. Total revenue increase: 75%. This is the power of strategic layering, not random network selection.
Five Common Questions About Mobile App Ad Networks
Q: How many networks should I integrate?
A: It depends on your app’s revenue and your complexity tolerance. If you’re making under $500/month, 1-2 networks is fine. AdMob plus one other. If you’re $500-5000/month, 2-3 networks makes sense. If you’re over $5000/month, a mediation platform with 5-10 networks backing it is worth the setup cost. Don’t integrate networks randomly though—each network should have a specific strategic purpose. If it doesn’t improve revenue or fill a gap, delete it.
Q: How long should I test a network before deciding it’s not working?
A: Give it 2-3 weeks minimum, but preferably a full month. CPMs fluctuate wildly week to week, and you need enough data to understand the trend. Some networks also have learning periods where performance improves over time as their algorithms understand your traffic. But if after a month a network is consistently underperforming your baseline and not filling any specific gap, cut it.
Q: Should I do header bidding or waterfall mediation?
A: Header bidding (simultaneous bidding across networks) is generally better and is what modern mediation platforms like MAX do. Old waterfall systems (sequential bidding) are inferior because you’re leaving revenue on the table. If you’re using a mediation platform, they handle this automatically. If you’re managing multiple direct networks, just be aware that waterfalls are suboptimal—you’re basically doing the best you can with a limitation.
Q: Why do CPMs vary so much between networks for the same traffic?
A: Different networks have different advertiser bases, different geographic demand, different targeting capabilities, and different inventory quality standards. Google might have demand from advertisers willing to pay $6 CPM for your Indian traffic, while StartApp might only have demand for $1 CPM. This isn’t random—it reflects real differences in advertiser composition. Premium networks like Chartboost get higher CPMs because they deliberately attract high-budget advertisers. Lower-cost networks like Pango still find demand, just from different advertisers.
Q: How do I know if I’m being underpaid?
A: Compare against benchmarks in your specific category and region. Your CPM for US users should be significantly higher than for Indian users—if it’s not, something’s wrong. Your CPM for games should be similar to other games—if you’re wildly below category, you might have a quality issue or a network issue. The best way to know is to A/B test: run two networks simultaneously and compare results. The variance between networks is usually significant enough that you’ll spot when you’re genuinely underpaid versus just experiencing normal market variance.
My Overall Recommendation
If I had to build an ad network strategy for a publisher from scratch in 2026, here’s what I’d actually do:
For a small app (under 50k DAU): Start with Google AdMob alone. It’s not the sexiest choice, but it’s reliable, payment is guaranteed, and it eliminates half the variables while you’re trying to grow. Once you hit 50k DAU, reassess. This might take 3-6 months.
For a mid-size app (50k-500k DAU): AdMob as the baseline, then add a secondary network strategically. If your traffic is 60%+ US/Western, add Meta. If you’re a game, add AppLovin MAX. If you’re emerging market heavy, add Pango. Give each network real traffic (not just leftover impressions) for 4 weeks and measure impact. Keep whichever adds >10% incremental revenue. This setup typically takes 2-3 hours of integration work and can add 30-50% to total revenue.
For a large app (500k+ DAU): AdMob as baseline, then AppLovin MAX for mediation across 5-8 networks. This is the professionalization stage. MAX handles optimization automatically, you’re getting better fill rates across diverse advertiser bases, and the slightly higher complexity is worth the revenue lift. Alternatively, if you’re a game, IronSource gives you similar mediation with more game-specific optimization.
By traffic geography:
- Western traffic (US, UK, EU, ANZ): AdMob, then Meta, then Chartboost if eligible. These three combined cover probably 95% of advertiser demand in these regions.
- Indian traffic: AdMob, then Pango. This pairing usually gives you 40-50% more revenue than AdMob alone.
- Southeast Asian traffic: AdMob, then Pango or InMobi. Regional networks often understand demand better.
- Mixed/global traffic: AdMob as baseline, then AppLovin MAX to handle the diversity programmatically.
By app category:
- Games: Unity Ads if using Unity, otherwise AppLovin MAX. Consider adding IronSource or Chartboost if you’re making real money.
- Content/news apps: AdMob, then InMobi for native ad format performance.
- Utility apps: AdMob, then test Meta if US-heavy or StartApp if global.
- Casual/hyper-casual: AdMob plus one of: AppLovin MAX, Meta, or StartApp depending on geography.
The key insight I’ll leave you with: your choice of ad network isn’t a one-time decision. The landscape evolves, your app evolves, user behaviors change, and networks adapt their offerings. What I recommend today might change in 6 months. Build a habit of quarterly reviews where you look at your CPM trends, test new networks, and prune underperformers. The publishers making the most money aren’t necessarily using the “best” network—they’re using the right network for their specific situation and they’re actively optimizing.
Start somewhere (AdMob is the safe choice), measure everything, iterate, and don’t get too attached to any single network. If something’s not working, change it. The good news is that in 2026, your options are better than ever, and you have the tools to actually measure impact. Use them.
