by Look, popunders are kind of the misunderstood middle child of ad networks. Everyone knows they convert well and pay decent money, but most publishers are too nervous to implement them or have had bad experiences with sketchy networks that tanked their user experience. That’s why I wanted to put together this honest breakdown of the networks that are actually worth your time in 2026.
I’ve been testing and using popunder networks consistently for the past three years, and the landscape has genuinely shifted. The really aggressive, low-quality networks have mostly died off or gotten banned from major traffic sources. What’s left are networks that actually care about user experience while still paying publishers enough to make it worthwhile. These are networks I’ve personally tested with real traffic, watched the payments come through, and experienced the actual support (or lack thereof).
Before I dive into the details on each network, here’s the comparison table so you can see everything side-by-side:
| Network Name | Best For | Min Payout | Rough CPM Range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conversant (formerly ValueClick) | Tier 1 traffic, established publishers | $100 | $2-8 | 9/10 |
| Propeller Ads | Mixed traffic, easy setup | $5 | $1.50-5 | 8/10 |
| Adsterra | International publishers, multiple ad formats | $5 | $1-4 | 8/10 |
| TrafficJunky | Niche traffic, higher payouts | $50 | $3-12 | 7.5/10 |
| ExoClick | Adult sites, dating, gambling niches | $25 | $2-9 | 7/10 |
| Clickadu | Low-tier traffic monetization | $10 | $0.80-3 | 6.5/10 |
| PopAds | Bulk publisher networks, volume plays | $5 | $0.75-2.50 | 6/10 |
| Popcash | European traffic, quality-focused | $20 | $1.50-4 | 7/10 |
| BidVertiser | Publishers wanting buyer control | $100 | $1-5 | 6.5/10 |
| CPMStar | Flash/gaming sites, legacy content | $50 | $1-3 | 6/10 |
1. Conversant (formerly ValueClick)
Conversant is basically the blue-chip stock of popunder networks. They’ve been around forever, they’re publicly traded, and they actually have real relationships with major advertisers. This isn’t some fly-by-night operation that’s going to disappear when things get tight.
Here’s the thing about Conversant: they’re genuinely selective about who they work with. You can’t just sign up with a brand new site with 100 visitors a day and expect acceptance. They want established publishers with real traffic and a track record. If you have that, though, they’re probably the best option you can get into.
Who it works best for: Publishers with established Tier 1 traffic (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Western Europe). If you’re getting quality desktop traffic from these regions, Conversant will treat you well. They also care about your actual user experience, so they’re not pushing you to implement formats that will annoy everyone and kill your traffic.
Real CPM numbers: For Tier 1 traffic, I’ve consistently seen $4-8 CPM. Tier 3 traffic is much lower, around $1-2, which is why they’re not the answer for international publishers. Desktop traffic pays significantly better than mobile, which is worth noting since many networks treat them the same.
Pros: Reliable payments every month like clockwork. Their dashboard is clean and functional. They actually have a support team that responds (usually within 24 hours). The quality of advertisers is high, which means less shady stuff and fewer user complaints. You can actually build a real relationship with your account manager. They respect publisher concerns about UX and won’t pressure you into aggressive implementations.
Cons: Getting accepted is hard if you’re not already established. Minimum payout is $100, so if you’re just starting out, you’ll wait a while before your first payment. They’re more conservative with payouts than some networks, so if you’re chasing the absolute highest CPM numbers, you might find slightly more money elsewhere. They’re not really interested in international or lower-quality traffic.
Should skip if: You have primarily non-Tier 1 traffic or you’re brand new to publishing without any established track record.
2. Propeller Ads
Propeller Ads is the network I recommend most often to people just getting started because they have the lowest barrier to entry while still maintaining reasonable quality standards. Their minimum payout is just five bucks, which means you’re not stuck watching money accrue for months before you see anything.
They’ve done a smart job of positioning themselves as the middle ground. They’re not trying to be the most aggressive network in the space, and they’re not trying to be the most premium either. They just want to be reliable and accessible, and honestly, they pull that off pretty well.
Who it works best for: Publishers with mixed traffic sources who want flexibility. This includes people monetizing niche content, regional traffic, or even a blend of Tier 1 and lower tiers. They’re also genuinely friendly to publishers testing out popunders for the first time because the low minimum payout doesn’t leave you feeling trapped if it doesn’t work out.
Real CPM numbers: Tier 1 traffic typically hits $2.50-5, though I’ve seen bursts higher during Q4. Tier 3 traffic settles around $1-1.50. Mobile is generally 30-40% lower than desktop, which is pretty standard across the industry. They also do fairly well with regional Tier 1 countries even outside the US.
Pros: Easy onboarding and quick approval. Their UI is intuitive and doesn’t require you to be technically advanced. They support multiple ad formats beyond just popunders, so you can test what works for your audience. Payments are reliable and consistent. They have solid reporting that actually breaks down performance by geography and device. Customer support is responsive via email and live chat. They don’t pressure you into aggressive implementation.
Cons: CPMs are pretty middle-of-the-road—you won’t get premium payouts because you’re getting access to their full publisher network, not their most selective tier. The UI could use some modernization, though it’s functional. They had some fraud issues about two years ago that they’ve since addressed, but it took a while. International payment options could be better; if you’re not in certain regions, getting money out can be a hassle.
Should skip if: You have exclusively high-tier US traffic and want maximum CPM—you’d be better off with Conversant.
3. Adsterra
Adsterra has done something interesting in the last couple years: they’ve actively positioned themselves as the international-friendly network when everyone else is primarily focused on US/UK traffic. They have actual offices in multiple countries, real support in multiple languages, and payment methods that actually work in places where getting money out is normally a nightmare.
I’ve been watching Adsterra grow for a while, and what impresses me is their focus on compliance and automation. They invested in fraud detection early, and it shows in the advertiser quality they attract.
Who it works best for: International publishers, anyone with traffic from Latin America, Europe, or Asia. If you’re getting decent volume from multiple countries and traditional networks are making payment difficult, Adsterra is genuinely helpful. Also good for publishers who want multiple ad formats on the same platform—popunders, banners, native ads, push notifications all in one place.
Real CPM numbers: Tier 1 international (Western Europe, Australia, Canada) runs $1.50-3.50. US Tier 1 is a bit higher at $2-4. Tier 2/3 is $0.80-1.50. They’re transparent about their rates varying by geography, and honestly, that transparency is refreshing.
Pros: Multiple payment methods including Paxum, Wise, and direct bank transfers. Approval is quick even for international publishers. They actually invest in technology—their reporting dashboard is modern and lets you filter by country, device, time, and more. The network is truly global, so you’re not competing against just US publishers. Support responses are fast. Their compliance is legit, which helps long-term because they’re not getting shut down randomly.
Cons: CPMs aren’t as high as premium networks like Conversant. The platform can sometimes feel like it’s doing too much at once with all the different ad formats, which makes optimization slightly harder. Some payment methods have fees. The interface, while modern, can be confusing for someone setting up for the first time because there are so many options.
Should skip if: You exclusively have US Tier 1 traffic and you’re willing to be selective about network approval—Conversant will pay you more.
4. TrafficJunky
TrafficJunky is interesting because they’re willing to work with niche and adult content when most mainstream networks won’t touch it. That said, they’re not just indiscriminately accepting garbage—they still have quality standards. They’re owned by MindGeek, which is a massive adult media company, so they have real buying power behind them.
The reason I include them here is because for publishers in certain niches, the CPMs they offer are legitimately the highest you can find anywhere. We’re talking $5-12 CPM for the right traffic. That’s meaningful money.
Who it works best for: Publishers with niche traffic that mainstream networks avoid. Adult content, dating, gambling, CBD, weapons, and similar categories. If you have good volume in one of these spaces and you’re tired of getting rejected or having low payouts, TrafficJunky will likely work with you. They also work for general traffic, but they’re not special for that use case.
Real CPM numbers: This varies wildly by niche, but for adult or gambling content with US traffic, I’ve seen $5-12 CPM consistently. For general traffic, it’s more like $2-4. The niche stuff is what makes them worth mentioning, though.
Pros: Extremely high CPMs for niche content. Minimum payout is $50, which is reasonable. They actually understand the niches they work in and don’t treat niche publishers like second-class citizens. Payments are reliable. Their account managers actively work with you to optimize. They offer multiple ad formats. They’re transparent about what they can monetize.
Cons: If you don’t have the specific kinds of traffic they’re looking for, the payouts are mediocre. Getting approved can be harder than it seems—they want to see that your traffic is real and engaged. International traffic doesn’t pay as well. The interface is more basic than some competitors. They’re more aggressive with ad implementation than some networks, so you need to make sure your UX can handle it.
Should skip if: You have general Tier 1 traffic and you’re squeamish about niche categories—you’ll get better rates with Conversant.
5. ExoClick
ExoClick has been around forever, and they’ve positioned themselves as the go-to for adult, dating, and gambling verticals. Unlike some sketchy networks that focused on these niches, ExoClick actually runs a legitimate operation with real advertiser relationships and fraud prevention.
They’re one of the few networks that will openly say “yes, we work with adult content” instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. That honesty is actually refreshing, and it means they’re built for that purpose rather than grudgingly accommodating it.
Who it works best for: Adult and dating publishers who want decent CPMs without dealing with mainstream network restrictions. Also works for gambling and other restricted niches. If you have real traffic in these categories and you’re tired of filtering out adult advertisers manually, ExoClick handles it natively.
Real CPM numbers: Adult/dating content with US traffic typically sees $3-9 CPM. Tier 2 adult traffic is around $1.50-3. They’re competitive with TrafficJunky but slightly lower on average in my testing.
Pros: Specialization means they understand your audience better than generalist networks. Good CPMs for niche content. They have real buyer relationships, so the ads are actually relevant to the audience. Support is responsive. Minimum payout is reasonable at $25. They’ve been in business so long they’re genuinely stable.
Cons: The interface looks dated compared to modern networks. If you don’t have niche traffic, the CPMs aren’t competitive. They’re more strict about what kinds of content they’ll work with—you need actual adult or dating content, not just something tangentially related. Payment options are limited compared to newer networks. The website itself looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, which makes some people hesitant even though they’re legitimate.
Should skip if: You’re in a general content space or you’re uncomfortable being associated with adult/niche advertising.
6. Clickadu
Clickadu is the network I recommend when someone has lower-quality traffic they’re struggling to monetize. They’re not premium, but they’re not a scam either. They’ll work with pretty much anyone, which means the CPMs reflect that reality—they’re lower across the board, but at least you can monetize traffic that other networks won’t even look at.
They’ve been around for over a decade, which in the ad tech space means they’re stable and unlikely to disappear. That matters more than people realize.
Who it works best for: Publishers with lower Tier 2 and Tier 3 traffic who are just trying to monetize something. If you have niche content that doesn’t fit other networks’ verticals, Clickadu will probably work with it. Also decent for publishers testing multiple networks—the low minimum payout ($10) makes it easy to experiment.
Real CPM numbers: Tier 2/3 traffic runs $0.80-2 CPM realistically. Tier 1 traffic gets $1.50-3, which is pretty low for Tier 1, so you wouldn’t use them for premium traffic. Mobile is often 50% lower than desktop.
Pros: Very easy approval. Low minimum payout. They work with traffic sources that other networks reject. Reporting is decent. Multiple payment options. They support various formats beyond popunders. No lengthy approval process means you can get live quickly.
Cons: CPMs are legitimately low across the board. The platform feels less polished than competitors. Their support is helpful but slower than premium networks. Quality of advertisers is lower, so you might see less relevant ads on your site. Fraud detection isn’t as sophisticated, so you need to monitor your traffic carefully. The interface is confusing in some areas.
Should skip if: You have decent traffic quality—use someone better. Clickadu is a last resort, not a first choice.
7. PopAds
PopAds is really the volume player in this space. They’re set up to work with high-volume networks of small publishers rather than focusing on individual high-quality sites. If you’re part of a network or running multiple sites, PopAds can be efficient. If you’re an individual publisher with one or two properties, they’re not your best bet.
I include them because they do actually exist and function, but honestly, they’re middling at best and there are usually better options.
Who it works best for: Network operators managing multiple sites, or publishers willing to optimize heavily for volume. If you have the time and technical skill to fine-tune targeting and frequency capping, you can make PopAds work. Otherwise, you’re better off elsewhere.
Real CPM numbers: Across all traffic types, you’re generally looking at $0.75-2.50. Tier 1 traffic might hit $2, but Tier 2/3 is often below $1. These are genuinely low compared to most competitors.
Pros: Very low minimum payout at $5. Easy to get approved. Useful reporting filters. Multiple payment methods. Good if you’re running a high-volume operation and can absorb the lower CPMs with increased volume. They’ve been stable for many years.
Cons: CPMs are low enough that you usually need massive volume to make real money. Support is basic. The platform feels corporate and impersonal. Fraud risk is higher because they don’t screen as carefully. Getting a real human on support can be difficult. The dashboard is functional but not intuitive.
Should skip if: You don’t have multiple sites or massive traffic volume—better networks exist.
8. Popcash
Popcash is essentially the European answer to Propeller Ads. They’re strong in European traffic, they care about user experience, and they’re actually selective about quality. They’ve carved out a specific market position and they do it well.
What I like about Popcash is they’re honest about being regionally focused. They’re not pretending to be global, and that focus makes them genuinely good at what they do.
Who it works best for: Publishers with strong European traffic, particularly Western Europe. They also work with general traffic, but that’s not where they shine. Good for quality-conscious publishers who don’t want to implement aggressively.
Real CPM numbers: Western European traffic gets $1.50-4 CPM. US traffic is slightly lower at $1.50-3. Tier 2/3 traffic is significantly lower. They’re generally 20-30% lower than Conversant for comparable Tier 1 traffic, but that’s expected for a regional network.
Pros: Strong presence in Europe means better advertiser targeting. Quality focus means your users get relevant ads. Minimum payout of $20 is reasonable. Support is responsive and competent. They don’t oversell aggressive implementation. Payment methods are diverse and Europe-friendly. Fast approval process. The interface is modern and clean.
Cons: If you’re outside Europe, they’re not the priority and CPMs reflect that. The network is smaller than major competitors, so less buying power. International payment can have fees. They’re somewhat conservative with frequency, so you won’t maximize every impression. Support is primarily in English and German.
Should skip if: You don’t have European traffic or you want to maximize CPM at all costs.
9. BidVertiser
BidVertiser is one of the oldest networks in the space, and they’ve maintained their model of letting publishers have more control over which advertisers appear on their sites. This is valuable if you have strong opinions about your site’s brand and what gets advertised.
They’re not the highest paying network, but they’re legitimate and they’ve been consistent for many years. That counts for something.
Who it works best for: Publishers who want publisher-centric control over their ad inventory rather than just accepting whatever pays the most. If you have specific advertiser quality standards or you want to block certain categories, BidVertiser gives you that power. Also works for mixed traffic from multiple sources.
Real CPM numbers: Tier 1 traffic typically runs $1-3 CPM, which is lower than most competitors. Tier 2/3 traffic is $0.50-1.50. These are honest numbers—they’re not super high because you’re getting less targeting optimization in exchange for advertiser control.
Pros: Significant publisher control over advertising. You can actually see and approve individual advertisers rather than a black box. This matters if brand safety is important. Long track record of stability. Works across multiple formats. Minimum payout of $100 is reasonable. They’re transparent about the advertiser pool.
Cons: CPMs are definitely lower because you have control and they’re not using sophisticated targeting to maximize yield. The interface is dated. Getting approved can take longer than modern networks. Support is slower. The platform doesn’t feel like it’s actively innovating. If you want maximum revenue, this isn’t it.
Should skip if: You want highest possible CPMs or you don’t care about advertiser selection—better networks exist for both cases.
10. CPMStar
CPMStar has a specific niche: legacy gaming, Flash content, and older website platforms. They’ve been relevant for a long time because a surprising amount of web traffic still comes from older content and technology. If you’re not in that space, they’re not useful. If you are, they’re one of the only remaining options.
I include them not because they’re great, but because if you have Flash games or older gaming content, you literally need someone willing to work with it, and CPMStar will.
Who it works best for: Publishers with Flash games, legacy gaming content, or older entertainment sites. If your traffic is coming from something built in 2005 that still somehow drives visitors, CPMStar is interested. Not recommended for anyone else.
Real CPM numbers: Flash/gaming content with US traffic sometimes sees $1-3 CPM. International or lower-quality gaming traffic is $0.50-1. These aren’t high, but you’re monetizing something most networks won’t touch.
Pros: Willing to work with Flash and legacy content. Low barrier to entry. Minimum payout is $50, which is reasonable. They understand gaming. Been in business for many years. Can actually get advertiser relationships interested in gaming verticals.
Cons: CPMs are low. The interface is outdated. Support is minimal. They’re not really innovating or improving because the space they’re in isn’t growing. Payment methods are limited. The whole network has a kind of “winding down” feeling to it. Fraud detection is basic.
Should skip if: You have modern content. This is a dinosaur network for a dinosaur content format.
How to Actually Pick the Right Network for Your Situation
Okay, so you’ve read through all this. Now comes the practical part: how do you actually decide what’s right for you?
Step 1: Know Your Traffic Profile
Before you sign up anywhere, you need to be brutally honest about your traffic. Not what you wish it was—what it actually is. Open Google Analytics right now and answer these questions:
- What percentage comes from US vs international?
- What percentage is desktop vs mobile?
- What’s your content category? (general, niche, restricted, etc.)
- What’s your average session duration and bounce rate? (These indicate quality)
- Where geographically does your non-US traffic come from?
This matters because networks are specialized. Conversant wants Tier 1 traffic. Clickadu takes anything. TrafficJunky wants specific niches. You need to match your traffic to networks that actually want it, not just the ones that have the highest advertised CPMs.
Step 2: Assess Your Technical Comfort
Some networks require more optimization than others. PopAds needs a network operator or someone with serious optimization skills. Propeller Ads or Adsterra work fine if you just want to implement and not constantly tweak things. Be realistic about whether you want to actively optimize or not.
Step 3: Consider Your Brand Safety Needs
If you have brand safety concerns and you care about what gets advertised on your site, you need BidVertiser or Conversant. If you’re running random content sites and you don’t care about advertiser quality, PopAds or Clickadu are fine. This isn’t moral—it’s just acknowledging that some publishers prioritize brand safety and others prioritize revenue.
Step 4: Test Multiple Networks at Once
You’re not locked into one network. I recommend starting with 2-3 networks simultaneously, running them for a month or two, and seeing which actually works for your traffic. Some networks just perform better with specific traffic sources, and you won’t know until you test.
Most networks have low or no minimums, so there’s no reason not to test. Set up Propeller Ads and Adsterra at the same time, run them for 30 days, and compare actual performance. That real data beats any amount of reading articles.
Step 5: Track Everything**
Get a spreadsheet going. For each network, track: daily impressions, daily earnings, CPM, bounce rate changes, user complaints. After 30 days, you’ll have enough data to make a real decision. Sometimes a network pays lower CPM but your bounce rate doesn’t change. Sometimes a network pays higher but users clearly hate it. You need the data.
Step 6: Start with One Primary, Then Add Others**
Once you’ve tested and found one network that works well, make that your primary. Then, after you’re comfortable with how that’s functioning, you can add a secondary network if you want to increase overall earnings. This approach lets you maintain quality while growing revenue.
Five Questions People Always Ask About Popunder Networks
Q: Will popunders tank my traffic and bounce rates?
A: It depends on your frequency capping and user base. If you’re implementing aggressively (showing multiple popunders per session), yes, people will hate you. If you cap it at one popunder per 24 hours per user, most users won’t notice or will tolerate it. Your traffic might dip 5-10% initially as people adjust, but it usually stabilizes. The key is testing with conservative frequency first, then increasing gradually if it makes sense. Also, popunders bother desktop users less than mobile users, so if your traffic is mobile-heavy, be more conservative.
Q: How much can I realistically make per month?
A: This depends entirely on your traffic volume and quality. Someone with 100,000 monthly Tier 1 US visitors might make $300-800 from popunders alone. Someone with 1 million Tier 3 international visitors might make $500-1000. The real money comes from combination monetization—popunders plus other networks plus direct sponsorships. Popunders alone are rarely your primary revenue source unless you have massive volume. Think of popunders as gravy, not the main meal, and you’ll have healthy expectations.
Q: Why do some networks pay more than others for the same traffic?
A: A few reasons. First, some networks have better advertiser relationships and can charge more, so they share more with publishers. Second, some networks optimize targeting better, which means ads are more valuable because they convert better. Third, some networks have different cost structures. And fourth, frankly, some networks are just better at their job. Conversant is the most expensive for a reason—their advertisers know the traffic will be good. Finally, some networks take bigger cuts while claiming to pay publishers fairly. Always compare actual payouts in the same month, not advertised rates.
Q: What about fraud and invalid traffic?
A: This is real. Some networks have better fraud detection than others. Conversant, Adsterra, and Propeller Ads are above average here. PopAds and Clickadu are below average but functional. The key is: don’t use bots, don’t click your own ads, and don’t artificially inflate your traffic. If you’re running legitimate traffic, you’ll be fine with any of these networks. If you’re even thinking about cheating, don’t. Networks ban publishers for fraud, sometimes permanently, and the temporary spike in earnings isn’t worth it. Also, watch your traffic sources. If you’re using Facebook ads to drive traffic and the conversion rate is weirdly high, that’s a red flag. Real users behave in certain ways, and fraudulent traffic looks different.
Q: Should I use popunders, interstitials, or banners?
A: Popunders have the highest CPM but the most user annoyance. Interstitials are medium on both dimensions. Banners have low CPM but minimal user annoyance. The answer is: use the mix that your traffic can tolerate. Test it. Some sites get better overall revenue with banners because the traffic doesn’t tank. Others can handle popunders because the users expect it (like on a gaming site). Your analytics will tell you what works. Also, most modern networks let you use multiple formats, so you don’t have to choose—you can use all three with frequency capping and let the algorithm figure out the best mix.
My Honest Overall Recommendation
If I was starting a new site with general content today, here’s exactly what I’d do:
I’d set up Propeller Ads as my primary because they’re accessible, reliable, and pay okay. Then I’d add Adsterra as a secondary because they’re solid globally and support multiple formats. I’d run this combination for two months and see what actually happens with my real traffic.
If I had Tier 1 US traffic, I’d push to get accepted to Conversant and make them primary, with Propeller Ads as a secondary option. The CPM difference is meaningful.
If I had niche traffic (adult, gambling, CBD, etc.), I’d test both TrafficJunky and ExoClick simultaneously and pick whichever paid more after a month. These niches have genuinely limited options, so testing quickly matters.
If I had primarily international Tier 2/3 traffic, I’d go Adsterra primary, Propeller Ads secondary, and honestly not expect huge payouts. I’d then focus on growing traffic quality rather than trying to squeeze more from low-quality inventory.
The reality is that popunder networks are a math problem. Lower CPMs mean you need more volume. Higher CPMs mean you need specific traffic types. Your job is finding which network aligns with the traffic you actually have, not the traffic you wish you had.
Start with one network, test it properly for at least a month, track everything, and then make decisions. Don’t jump around every week chasing the highest advertised CPM. Don’t believe marketing material from networks claiming insane payouts. Do believe your own data.
Good luck out there. The popunder space is more honest and stable than it’s been in years, and if you approach it seriously, it’s a legitimate revenue source.
