Mobile Ad Network Comparison: AdMob vs the Alternatives

Here’s how AdMob stacks up against five other big names: AppLovin MAX, LevelPlay, Appodeal, DT FairBid, and InMobi. I looked at how they compare on things like how much money you actually make per thousand views, whether they support real-time bidding, what kind of fees they charge, and how fast you get paid. The truth is, none of these closed networks are really looking out for your bottom line. If you want every ad impression to count, independent mediation with CAS.AI puts your inventory in front of more than 150 demand sources. That usually means you end up making one and a half to two times more per user, and they promise you won’t lose out.

This mobile ad network comparison puts AdMob head-to-head against the five networks developers ask about most – AppLovin, AdMob, Unity Ads, Appodeal, and InMobi – across the metrics that actually move your bottom line: eCPM potential, fill rate, RTB support, fees, payout speed, and independence.

AdMob is the default starting point for millions of apps. But defaulting to one network rarely delivers the best yield – because no closed platform has a structural incentive to maximize your revenue above its own.

The comparison below is here to help you cut through the noise: see where each network leads, where it falls short, and what running them together through independent mediation actually changes.

Use the table for the quick view, then jump into any one-on-one breakdown for the full picture.

Master Comparison Table

Quick Comparison: AdMob vs the Alternatives (2026)

Criterion	BEST VALUE CAS.AI	AdMob	AppLovin MAX	LevelPlay	Appodeal	InMobi
Independence	Yes	Google	AppLovin	Unity	Yes	Yes
RTB / Bidding	RTB + waterfall + in-app bidding	Bidding + waterfall	Bidding Only	Unified auction	RTB + waterfall + in-app bidding	RTB
Networks / DSP	150+/20+	25+	25+	Unity demand	70+ demand sources	Own demand
Commission	No hidden	30–40%	Mediation fee	Rev-share	Rev-share 10-30%	Rev-share
Payout	from Day 5, crypto	Net 21	Net 15	Net 60 +2%	Net 45 (+4% rush fee), crypto	Net 60
No-loss guarantee	Yes
Better for	Mid-sized studios without a monetization manager	Beginner developers worried about integration	Studios with their own monetization team	Mid-large studios hesitant to leave Unity’s ecosystem	Mid-size studios with a monetization manager	Developers focused on APAC/India

*Fee figures for AdMob and other networks based on published third-party reviews.

AppLovin MAX leads on RTB depth; Unity Ads is strongest for game analytics; InMobi is the right call for APAC-heavy audiences. What none of the closed platforms deliver is a fully independent auction. That is where CAS.AI fits: one SDK, 20+ networks, and 150+ DSPs competing on every impression — with a no-loss guarantee while you test.

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One-on-one Comparisons

Go deeper on any matchup. Each page includes a full data table, honest pros and cons, and a verdict by use case.

AdMob vs

AppLovin

Simplicity vs RTB depth — the most comprehensive matchup.

Compare

AdMob vs

Unity Ads

For Unity game developers weighing engine-native demand.

Compare

AdMob vs

Appodeal

Google vs an independent aggregator with 70+ sources.

Compare

AdMob vs

DT FairBid

Broad reach vs gaming-niche demand.

Compare

AdMob vs

InMobi

Global reach vs APAC / India regional strength.

Compare

How to choose a mobile ad network

There is no universal answer, but four criteria narrow it down quickly.

1. App type and dominant format. Games with rewarded video and interstitials typically earn the most on networks with strong fullscreen eCPMs (AppLovin MAX, Chartboost). Utility apps and casual titles often perform well with AdMob’s banners and App Open ads.

2. Audience geography. US, UK, and JP audiences command the highest eCPMs across all networks. If a significant share of your users is in India or Southeast Asia, InMobi’s regional demand becomes a material differentiator.

3. Mediation or single network. Single-network setups are simpler but leave revenue on the table. A mobile ad network comparison across your real traffic, run as an A/B test through a mediation layer, regularly outperforms any one network in isolation. The difference between the best single network and a properly configured mediation stack is typically 50-100% in ARPU.

4. Payout terms and cash flow. Faster payouts and flexible options (net-15, crypto) matter for smaller studios reinvesting into UA on tight cycles. Slow net-60 terms can throttle growth even when eCPMs look attractive.

Where CAS.AI fits

CAS.AI is not one of the networks in the table above. It is the independent mediation layer that sits between your app and all of them.

One SDK connects 20+ ad networks and 150+ DSPs. Because CAS.AI owns no ad network, no demand source gets preferential treatment in the auction. Every impression goes to the highest bidder, whether that bidder is AdMob, AppLovin, Chartboost, or a programmatic DSP you have never heard of.

Apps that switch to independent mediation via CAS.AI typically see 1.5-2x ARPU compared to running a single network or a mediation platform with built-in network bias. And with a no-loss guarantee, if revenue drops during testing, CAS.AI pays the difference; there is no downside to finding out your real number.

Ad Network Comparison FAQ

Which mobile ad network pays the most?

It depends on your ad format and user geography. Rewarded video in Tier-1 markets (US, UK, Japan) consistently delivers the highest eCPMs, often in the $15-30 range. Blended eCPM across your whole user base is almost always higher when several networks compete through mediation than when you run any single network alone, because each impression goes to whoever is willing to pay the most at that moment.

Is AdMob better than AppLovin?

AdMob is the easier starting point and integrates directly with Google’s advertiser demand. AppLovin MAX offers deeper real-time bidding and typically stronger full-screen eCPMs. For most apps, the bigger revenue gain comes not from picking one over the other, but from letting both compete inside a mediation layer where neither has a structural advantage.

Do I have to choose just one ad network?

No. Most apps that maximize revenue run several networks at the same time through a single mediation SDK. Each ad request goes to auction, and the highest bidder wins automatically – without any manual waterfall management from your side.

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Oleg Shlyamovich

CEO & Co-Founder, CAS.AI

9+ years in mobile monetization. 500+ apps optimized, 5B+ downloads on the platform. Oleg leads product strategy at CAS.AI, where the mediation tech handles 1B+ impressions per month.

Author page Last updated: June 2026

Related: AdMob Alternatives Best Mobile Ad Networks CAS.AI Mediation