The Best Ad networks for Publishers In 2025 : Top Picks🔥

Ad networks help publishers earn money by showing ads on their websites. The right network can boost earnings without slowing down your site. But with so many options, choosing the best one can be tricky.

In this guide, we’ll cover the Best Ad networks for publishers 2025, from easy-to-use options like Google AdSense to high-paying networks like Mediavine. Let’s find the best fit for you!

What is an Ad Network?

An ad network is a platform that connects advertisers with websites or apps that want to display ads. It acts as a middleman, helping businesses reach their target audience by placing ads in front of the right people.

Think of it like a matchmaker for online advertising, making sure ads show up where they’ll get noticed.

Types of Ad Networks

There are different types of ad networks, each working in its own way. Here are the main ones:

1. Premium Ad Networks – High-paying networks like Mediavine and AdThrive are best for websites with lots of traffic.
2. Programmatic Ad Networks – Use AI to place ads automatically, like Google AdSense and Ezoic.
3. Affiliate Ad Networks – Pay you when visitors buy products through your links, like Amazon Associates.
4. Native Ad Networks – Blend ads with your content, making them less intrusive, like Taboola and Outbrain.
5. Video Ad Networks – Focus on video ads, which are great for sites with video content, like YouTube AdSense.

The 8 best ad networks for publishers:

1. Adsterra

Adsterra is a well-known ad network that works with both small and large publishers. It offers different ad formats, including banners, pop-ups, push ads, and native ads. One standout feature is its anti-adblock technology, which helps you keep more of your earnings.

Approval is quick, and there are no strict traffic requirements, making it a great choice for beginners. This user-friendly, self-serve platform automates many processes, allowing you to monetize your ad space with minimal effort.

Requirements: No strict minimum traffic needed—open to small and big sites. You need a website, blog, or social traffic to monetize. Approval is fast, but they’re strict on quality (no shady content or fake traffic).

Here's why Adsterra is a good choice:

• Easy to start: You can join quickly and easily.
• Lots of ways to earn: They offer different types of ads so you can choose what works best.
• Helpful and friendly: They're always there to answer your questions.
• You get paid quickly: You don't have to wait long for your money.
• They keep your website safe: Adsterra makes sure your website is safe to use.

2. Adcash

Adcash is a global advertising network that provides a range of ad formats, including pop-ups, native ads, banners, interstitials, and push notifications. One of its standout features is its ad-block bypass technology, which helps publishers regain revenue lost to ad blockers.

With AI-driven optimization and real-time statistics, Adcash ensures ads are well-targeted and deliver strong performance.

Its self-serve platform is user-friendly, making it accessible even to those new to online advertising. While there are no strict traffic requirements, publishers with steady traffic will see the best results.

Requirements: No specific traffic minimum is listed, but they focus on performance, so decent traffic helps. Your site needs to pass their review—nothing too sketchy or low-effort.

Here's why Adcash is a good choice:

• Minimum Deposit: $1,000 for a managed account; $100 for a self-serve account.
• Automatic Top-Up: Set auto-reload with a minimum trigger balance of $25 to prevent running out of funds during campaigns.
• Payment Methods: Top-up via credit cards, wire transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and Webmoney; automatic deposits available with Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal.
• Support Options: Managed accounts come with a personal account manager; self-service accounts rely on standard support, which is responsive via live chat during business hours or by next business day if offline.

3. Clickadu

Clickadu is a legitimate and premium ad network offering global ad coverage in 240+ locations. It supports various ad formats, including banners, popunders, push notifications, in-page pushes, video ads, text message ads, and SKIM, ensuring extensive monetization opportunities.

As a Supply-Side Platform (SSP), Clickadu connects advertisers with publishers looking to sell their traffic. It offers both fully managed and self-service options, allowing publishers to either manage their ads independently or have Clickadu’s team optimize them.

With AI-driven optimization and real-time analytics, it delivers high-quality traffic and competitive eCPMs. However, it works best for websites with consistent daily visitors, as lower-traffic sites may struggle to earn significantly.

Requirements: No hard traffic minimum, but you’ll need some consistent visitors to make it work since payouts lean on volume. They accept most niches, even smaller sites, as long as it’s legit traffic.

Here's why Clickadu is a good choice:

• SmartCPM: Utilizes a second-price auction model, allowing advertisers to pay less while still securing necessary traffic.
• SmartCPA: Enables advertisers to create a blacklist during test campaigns to filter out unprofitable traffic sources, focusing on conversions.
• Test Campaigns: Allows for testing with SmartCPA to determine the potential success of campaigns, using eCPM to measure expected ad revenue per thousand impressions.
• Dashboard Tools: Provides a statistics page where advertisers can manually optimize campaigns by reviewing and adjusting based on performance data.
• Flexible Adjustments: Offers the ability to modify almost any campaign parameter directly from the Campaign page based on statistical insights, enhancing overall campaign effectiveness.

4. AdMaven

AdMaven is a trusted ad network that specializes in pop-up ads, but it also offers banners, push notifications, interstitials, and other formats to help website owners make money. It's a user-friendly platform, making it easy to set up and start earning—even for smaller websites.

With over 25,000 publishers already using AdMaven, it's a proven and reliable choice for monetization. If your website has steady traffic, you can expect good earnings, especially with its strong pop-up ad performance.

Requirements: They say 2,500 monthly impressions minimum, but smaller sites can still apply and get reviewed. Traffic quality matters—needs to be real, not bot-driven.

Here's why AdMaven is a good choice:

• Ad Formats: Offers web push ads, new tab (pop) ads, interstitials, and banner ads designed for optimal user engagement.
• Effective Push Notification Traffic: Delivers over two billion push notification impressions daily, targeting only users who have opted in, ensuring high-quality, bot-free traffic.
• User Safety and Quality: Ensures high-quality traffic free from bots, enhancing safety for both advertisers and publishers.
• Easy Campaign Setup: AdMaven's self-serve platform allows for the easy creation of campaigns, quick access to numerous publishers, and the use of various ad formats.
• Advanced Features: Includes advanced reporting, API integration, and advanced filtering for precise targeting and analysis.

5. HillTopAds

HilltopAds is a well-established ad network that has been helping publishers monetize their websites since 2013. It supports various ad formats, including popunders, banners, in-page ads, video VAST, and direct links, giving website owners multiple ways to earn money.

One of its key features is its anti-AdBlock technology, which helps ads get through even when users have ad blockers enabled, increasing revenue. HilltopAds serves over 73 billion ad impressions every month, with a strong presence in Europe, Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia, and North America.

Requirements: There is no minimum traffic requirement, so it’s friendly for newbies. Your site just needs to be active and legit—nothing too strict, but they’ll check it out.

Here's why HillTopAds is a good choice:

• Wide Ad Reach: Extensive coverage to connect with audiences globally.
• Affordable Pricing: Competitive rates make it accessible for various budget sizes.
• Advanced Mobile Targeting: Includes options for targeting specific apps and device brands.
• Diverse Payment Options: Supports multiple payment methods, including cryptocurrencies.
• Flexible Scheduling: Campaigns can be scheduled across all time zones.
• Multilingual Interface: Supports 10 different languages, enhancing usability for international users.
• Traffic Segments: Offers three levels of traffic quality—Low, Medium, and High—to tailor campaign precision.
• Helpful Onboarding Resources: Provides good materials to help new users get started effectively.

6. PropellerAds

PropellerAds is a popular ad network that caters to publishers of all sizes, making it especially appealing to beginners. It provides a range of ad formats, including push notifications, popunders, interstitials, banners, and native ads.

One of its standout features is its low payment threshold, making it easy for small publishers to start earning.

Requirements: No big traffic hurdle—open to small publishers, too. They approve most sites quickly as long as you’ve got real visitors and no banned content.

Here's why PropellerAds is a good choice:

• Easy Approval & No Traffic Limits: Unlike AdSense, PropellerAds accepts small websites, making it easy to start earning.
• Ad-Block Bypass: Ads still show even if users have ad blockers, helping boost revenue.
• Fast Weekly Payments: Get paid every Thursday with a $5 minimum for PayPal and e-wallets, $100 for Payoneer, and $500 for wire transfers.
• Simple Dashboard & Live Reports: Easy-to-use interface with real-time analytics to track and improve earnings.

7. Media.net

Media.net is a premium ad network powered by Yahoo and Bing, specializing in contextual ads that match a website’s content. It is best suited for high-quality websites with steady traffic, particularly those targeting an English-speaking audience.

One of its key advantages is access to premium advertisers, often resulting in higher earnings per click than traditional ad networks.

Requirements: Needs at least 10,000 monthly visitors and high-quality, original content. English-focused sites perform best. Approval is strict, and site design and audience relevance are considered.

Here's why Media.net is a good choice:

• Strict but High-Paying Approval: Works best for websites with consistent, high-quality content and strong traffic.
• Contextual Ads for Better Engagement: Ads blend naturally with site content, improving user experience and click-through rates.
• Premium Advertisers & Higher Earnings: Access to high-quality ads from top-tier advertisers, often yielding better earnings than standard display ads.
• Net-30 Payment System: Get paid via PayPal or wire transfer with a $100 minimum threshold on a monthly cycle (net-30).
• Smart Ad Optimization: Uses AI-based technology to adjust ad placements for maximum revenue.

8. Google AdSense

Google AdSense is the most widely used ad network, offering high-quality display and text ads from Google’s extensive advertiser base. It is known for its high earning potential, but approval is strict. Websites need steady organic traffic and original, valuable content to be accepted.

One of its biggest advantages is access to high-paying advertisers through Google’s ad auction system, ensuring competitive rates.

Requirements: A well-established website with original, high-quality content and consistent organic traffic. Approval is strict, and sites must follow Google’s policies.

Here's why Google AdSense is a good choice:

• High-Paying Ad Network: One of the most trusted and profitable monetization platforms for publishers.
• Access to a Large Advertiser Pool: Ads are highly relevant due to Google’s advanced targeting system.
• Variety of Ad Formats: Offers display ads, text ads, matched content, video ads, and responsive ads.
• Reliable Payments: Get paid via bank transfer or check once you reach a $100 minimum threshold.
• Detailed Analytics & Customization: Provides in-depth reports and customizable ad placements to optimize revenue.

How do ad networks help publishers?

Ad networks act like middlemen between people who want to sell ad space (publishers) and those who want to buy it (advertisers). They help both sides achieve their advertising goals by matching the right ad space (or inventory) to the right buyer.

Here’s how it works simply:

1. Publishers and Ad Formats: Publishers are websites or apps that have spaces where ads can be shown. Most publishers usually focus on one type of ad, like video ads or banner ads. For example, if a publisher is great at video content, they might want to work with a video ad network.

2. Role of Ad Networks: Ad networks help by taking the ad spaces available from publishers and selling them to advertisers who are looking for spaces to put their ads. This process helps advertisers find the best spots for their ads without having to go to each publisher individually.

3. Buying and Selling Inventory: Sometimes, ad networks buy ad space from publishers and then sell it to advertisers at a higher price to make a profit. Other times, they just help connect the two parties and charge a fee to make the connection.

4. Specialized Ad Networks: There are different kinds of ad networks depending on the type of ads they handle. For example, Criteo is known for offering good rates for CPM (cost per thousand impressions) ads, which means they are good for ads where you pay based on how many people see the ad. Unruly, on the other hand, is known for dealing with video ads, helping publishers who create video content get the best deals for their ad spaces.

Conclusion

We've reviewed some of the top advertising networks available in 2025. These networks help publishers increase their earnings with quality ads and various creative formats. Each network has its benefits and features.

Before picking an ad network, make sure it provides creative ad formats, a high fill rate, detailed analytics, and access to well-paying ads that fit your niche. Although you can choose any network, we suggest Adsterra for its range of ad formats and quality advertisers.

Read More:

• Adsterra Review
• PropellerAds Review

FAQs About Best Ad Network Publishers