Most gaming ad networks promise huge revenue but deliver pocket change that wouldn’t buy you a coffee. Some have fill rates lower than your phone battery at 3 PM, others show ads for dating apps in kids’ puzzle games, and many take forever to actually pay you.
That’s exactly why our team at AFFMaven tested over 60 gaming ad networks to find the ones that actually make publishers money.
We didn’t just look at flashy CPM rates; we checked real eCPM performance, payment speed, ad quality, user experience impact, and feedback from actual mobile game developers.
These monetization platforms made our list because they consistently deliver solid ad revenue for gaming apps without annoying players.
Why Gaming Ad Networks Are Pure Gold for Publishers and Advertisers
The gaming advertising scene has exploded beyond recognition. Mobile gaming alone accounts for over 50% of the global gaming revenue, with players spending countless hours engaged with content.
This creates incredible opportunities for both game developers looking to monetise their apps and advertisers wanting to reach highly engaged audiences.
Gaming ad networks specialise in connecting gaming publishers with relevant advertisers, offering formats specifically designed for gaming environments.
Unlike general advertising platforms, these networks understand gamer behaviour, optimal ad placement timing, and how to balance user experience with revenue generation.
Top 8 Gaming Ad Networks That Actually Pay
| Best Gaming Ad Networks | Min Deposit | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adsterra | $100 | Gaming traffic quality | Social Bar format |
| Unity Ads | Integration-based | Mobile games | Unity ecosystem |
| ClickAdilla | $50 | High volume campaigns | Traffic variety |
| AdMob | No minimum | Reliable monetisation | Google integration |
| AdMaven | $50 | Push notifications | Gaming app installs |
| Chartboost | $50 | Gaming-first approach | Direct marketplace |
| InMobi | Varies | Global reach | AI optimisation |
| AdCash | $100 | Performance focus | Quality traffic |
1. Adsterra – The Gaming Traffic Powerhouse
Adsterra stands tall as one of the most reliable gaming ad networks in 2026, serving over 35 billion monthly impressions across 248 countries. What makes Adsterra brilliant for gaming campaigns is their deep understanding of gaming verticals and innovative ad formats.
Key Features
Ad Formats for Gaming
Why Gaming Publishers Love It: Adsterra offers competitive CPM rates specifically for gaming traffic, with one case study showing a gaming advertiser achieving 416% ROI in just 10 days using popunder ads. The platform’s AI-powered algorithms excel at matching gaming ads with relevant audiences.
Getting Started
2. Unity Ads – The Mobile Gaming Champion
Unity Ads is absolutely dominant in the mobile gaming space, seamlessly integrating with the Unity game engine used by millions of developers worldwide. With over 1 billion monthly active users, this network is built specifically for gaming monetisation.
Standout Features
Ad Formats
Performance Metrics
Unity Ads consistently delivers impressive results for mobile games:
Best For
Mobile game developers, especially those using Unity engine, looking for non-intrusive monetisation solutions.
3. ClickAdilla – The High-Volume Traffic Machine
ClickAdilla pumps out over 4.5 billion daily impressions across 240+ countries, making it a powerhouse for gaming campaigns requiring serious scale. This network excels in both mainstream and gaming-specific traffic sources.
Core Strengths
Gaming-Focused Features
Campaign Setup Process
- Register and deposit minimum $50
- Create campaign using intuitive interface
- Select gaming-specific targeting options
- Monitor performance with real-time analytics
- Optimise based on conversion data
Performance Highlights
Gaming advertisers report strong click-through rates and conversion performance, particularly with popunder formats targeting gaming audiences.
4. Google AdMob – The Industry Standard
Google AdMob takes advantage of Google’s massive ecosystem to deliver consistent, high-quality performance for mobile gaming apps. With 2.5 billion device users and integration with 1 million apps, AdMob remains the go-to choice for many developers.
Key Advantages
Ad Formats for Games
Why Gaming Developers Choose AdMob: The platform’s intelligent optimisation automatically adjusts bids and targeting to maximise revenue. User segmentation allows precise targeting based on player behaviour and demographics.
Getting Started Requirements
5. AdMaven – The Push Notification Specialist
AdMaven has carved out a strong position in gaming advertising with their focus on push notifications and popunder formats. Serving over 1 billion daily impressions, they’re particularly effective for mobile gaming promotions.
Unique Selling Points
Gaming-Optimised Formats
Performance Data
Gaming campaigns on AdMaven typically see:
Best Gaming Verticals
Mobile app installs, casual gaming, hyper-casual games, and gaming utility apps.
6. Chartboost – The Gaming-First Network
Chartboost is laser-focused on mobile gaming monetisation, integrated into over 300,000 games worldwide and processing 40 billion monthly game sessions. This network truly understands gaming audiences.
Gaming-Specific Features
Ad Format Options
Why Gaming Publishers Prefer It: Chartboost’s direct deal marketplace allows publishers and advertisers to negotiate directly, often resulting in higher revenue and lower costs. The platform specialises in user acquisition for gaming apps with sophisticated behavioural targeting.
Payment Terms
7. InMobi – The Global Gaming Reach Expert
InMobi is the world’s largest independent mobile advertising network, reaching over 2 billion smartphone users globally. Established in 2007, they’ve built significant expertise in gaming app monetisation.
Global Capabilities
Gaming Ad Solutions
Performance Improvements
InMobi delivers impressive results for gaming campaigns:
Getting Started
InMobi offers both self-serve and managed solutions, making it suitable for gaming publishers of all sizes.
8. AdCash – The Performance-Focused Choice
AdCash rounds out our list as a solid performance marketing network with strong gaming capabilities. They focus on delivering quality traffic with transparent reporting and reliable payments.
Key Strengths
Gaming Applications
Ad Format Portfolio
Choosing the Right Gaming Ad Network: Your Action Plan
Selecting the optimal gaming ad network depends on several critical factors:
For Publishers:
- Traffic volume: Networks like ClickAdilla and InMobi excel with high-volume requirements
- Game type: Unity Ads dominates mobile gaming, while Chartboost offers gaming-specific solutions
- Geographic focus: Consider networks with strong presence in your target regions
- Payment terms: Evaluate minimum thresholds and payment frequency
For Advertisers:
- Campaign objectives: User acquisition vs brand awareness require different approaches
- Budget constraints: Start with lower minimum networks like AdMaven or ClickAdilla
- Targeting needs: Assess the precision of audience targeting capabilities
- Ad format preferences: Match your creative strategy with network strengths
Testing Strategy
- Start with 2-3 networks simultaneously
- Split test identical campaigns across platforms
- Monitor key metrics: CTR, conversion rates, and cost per acquisition
- Scale winning combinations while pausing underperformers
- Optimise continuously based on performance data
Expert Tips for Gaming Ad Network Success
Final Thoughts: Level Up Your Gaming Revenue
These gaming ad networks represent the cream of the crop for 2026. No matter if you’re a mobile game developer looking to monetise your app or an advertiser targeting gaming audiences, these platforms offer proven performance and reliable partnerships.
The key to success lies in testing multiple networks, optimising continuously, and scaling what works. Gaming audiences are highly engaged and valuable – the right ad network partnership can unlock significant revenue potential.
Start with networks matching your specific requirements, implement proper tracking, and let the data guide your optimisation efforts. The gaming advertising goldmine awaits those willing to test, learn, and adapt.
Ready to dominate gaming advertising in 2026? Pick your top 2-3 networks from this list and launch your first campaigns. The gaming revolution is here – make sure you’re part of it!
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