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INSIGHT/
Top Advertising Networks for Mobile Gaming Apps in 2025
04/07/2024 Written by The Game Marketer
The mobile gaming industry has gone through unprecedented growth, with millions of users worldwide engaging with mobile games daily. For game developers, reaching and retaining this vast audience is crucial.
One effective way to achieve this is through strategic advertising. In 2025, selecting the right advertising network can make all the difference in maximising user acquisition and revenue. This article will guide you through the top advertising networks for mobile gaming apps, highlighting their unique features, benefits, and how they can help you succeed in this competitive market.
1. Unity Ads
Unity Ads is a leading mobile ad network designed specifically for game developers using the Unity engine. It offers a seamless integration process, allowing developers to monetise their games without disrupting the user experience. Unity Ads supports a variety of ad formats, including rewarded video ads, playable ads, banners, full-screen interstitial ads, and video ads. These ads are non-intrusive, ensuring that players remain engaged with the game while still generating revenue for developers.
Key Features:
Rewarded Video Ads: These ads reward users with in-game items or currency for watching videos. This format is highly effective as it incentivises users to engage with ads, thereby increasing ad revenue for developers.
Wide Compatibility: Unity Ads supports all Android versions from 2.3 and iOS from 4.0, ensuring that developers can reach a broad audience across different devices.
Actionable Insights: Unity provides detailed analytics that help developers understand user behavior and optimise their monetisation strategies. This includes metrics on ad engagement, revenue, and user retention.
Benefits for Developers:
Easy Integration: Unity Ads integrates smoothly with Unity projects, making it easy for developers to start monetising their games quickly. This integration is seamless because Unity Ads is specifically designed for Unity-based games, reducing the complexity of adding ads to a game.
Non-Intrusive Experience: The ad formats offered by Unity Ads are designed to be non-intrusive, ensuring that players remain engaged with the game while still generating revenue. This is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience, which is essential for retaining players and encouraging positive reviews.
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2. Chartboost
Chartboost is a comprehensive platform for mobile game monetisation and user acquisition. It offers a variety of ad formats and connects advertisers with premium in-app inventory through real-time bidding. Chartboost’s analytics dashboard provides detailed insights into ad performance, user engagement, and revenue metrics, helping developers optimise their monetisation strategies.
Key Features:
Real-Time Bidding: Allows advertisers to bid on ad space in real-time, ensuring that developers get the highest possible revenue for their ad inventory. Real-time bidding maximises revenue by ensuring that the highest bidder wins the ad space.
Cross-Promotion: Chartboost enables developers to cross-promote their apps within their own network. This feature helps increase user engagement and retention by promoting other apps that users might be interested in.
Advanced Targeting: Uses machine learning to deliver highly relevant ads to users. This increases the likelihood of conversions and user engagement.
Benefits for Developers:
High Revenue Potential: The real-time bidding system ensures that developers can maximise their ad revenue by getting the best bids for their ad space. This is particularly beneficial in competitive markets where maximising revenue is crucial.
Targeted Advertising: Chartboost’s advanced targeting capabilities increase the likelihood of user engagement and conversion rates. By showing ads that are relevant to users, developers can improve campaign performance and user retention.
3. AppLovin
AppLovin is a mobile technology powerhouse that offers a suite of digital tools for advertising, analytics, and app monetisation. It uses proprietary machine-learning technology to ensure precise ad targeting and revenue optimisation. AppLovin’s tools include AppDiscovery for connecting advertisers with their ideal audience and MAX for maximising ad revenue through real-time auctions.
Key Features:
Precision Targeting: AppLovin’s AI-driven technology ensures that ads are targeted to the right audience, increasing engagement and conversion rates. This precision targeting helps optimise ad spend by ensuring that ads are shown to users who are most likely to engage with them.
Cost Efficiency: By optimising budgets for user acquisition, AppLovin helps advertisers achieve their goals without overspending. This is achieved through advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms that predict user behavior.
Data Insights: The platform provides real-time analytics to help developers and advertisers optimise their campaigns based on performance data. These insights are crucial for refining strategies and improving campaign performance.
Benefits for Developers:
Maximised ROI: AppLovin’s advanced targeting capabilities help ensure that ad spend is optimised for maximum return on investment. By targeting the right audience, developers can increase the effectiveness of their ad campaigns.
Comprehensive Analytics: The detailed insights provided by AppLovin enable developers to refine their strategies and improve campaign performance. This includes understanding user behavior, ad engagement, and conversion rates.
4. ironSource
ironSource is known for delivering high ROI for publishers by empowering game developers to monetise their apps effectively. It supports various ad formats like rewarded video ads, offerwalls, interstitial ads, playable ads, video ads, and banner ads. ironSource’s ad mediation tools help manage multiple networks, increasing competition for ad inventory and driving up eCPM.
Key Features:
High ROI: ironSource focuses on maximising revenue for publishers through its advanced ad mediation and optimisation tools. This includes managing multiple ad networks to ensure the highest-paying ads are displayed.
Ad Mediation: The platform manages multiple ad networks efficiently, increasing competition for ad inventory and driving up eCPM. This ensures that developers earn the highest possible revenue from their ad space.
Custom Integrations: ironSource offers custom SDK integrations for iOS and Android, allowing developers to tailor their ad experiences. This flexibility is important for adapting ads to specific app needs.
Benefits for Developers:
Revenue Maximisation: ironSource’s ad mediation capabilities ensure that developers can earn the highest possible revenue from their ad inventory. By managing multiple networks, ironSource increases competition for ad space, driving up prices.
Flexibility: The custom integrations allow developers to adapt the ad experience to their specific needs, enhancing user engagement and maintaining a seamless user experience.
5. Liftoff
Liftoff is recognised for its flexible pricing models and support for a wide range of ad formats. It offers programmatic solutions to enhance campaign strategies and maximise growth. Liftoff specialises in running true CPA-optimised mobile app install campaigns, using machine learning systems and advanced predictive intelligence to target users most likely to engage with apps.
Key Features:
Flexible Pricing: Liftoff offers options such as CPM, CPC, CPA, and CPI, allowing advertisers to choose the pricing model that best suits their goals. This flexibility is beneficial for adjusting strategies based on changing market conditions.
Programmatic Solutions: Liftoff’s programmatic capabilities help improve campaign performance by automating ad buying and optimisation processes. This automation ensures that ads are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Game Development Insights: The platform provides trends and gaming profiles to help developers create engaging games that resonate with their target audience.
Benefits for Developers:
Adaptability: The flexible pricing models allow developers to adjust their ad strategies based on changing market conditions or campaign goals. This adaptability is crucial in a dynamic market where strategies need to evolve quickly.
Enhanced Campaign Performance: Liftoff’s programmatic solutions optimise ad delivery to maximise ROI and user engagement. By automating ad buying and optimisation, Liftoff helps developers achieve their campaign goals more efficiently.
6. Bidstack
Bidstack is an innovative ad network that focuses on in-game advertising, allowing brands to reach gamers through immersive, non-intrusive ads within games. It provides brands with access to valuable in-game player data and analytics, enabling them to engage with gamers more effectively.
Key Features:
In-Game Ads: Bidstack integrates ads directly into gameplay, providing a unique opportunity for brands to engage with gamers in a more organic way. This immersive experience enhances the gaming environment without disrupting it.
Non-Intrusive Experience: The ads are designed to enhance the gaming experience rather than disrupt it, ensuring that players remain engaged.
Benefits for Developers:
Enhanced User Experience: By integrating ads seamlessly into gameplay, developers can maintain a high level of user engagement while still generating revenue. This is crucial for maintaining positive user reviews and retaining players.
Brand Engagement: Bidstack’s in-game ads offer brands a chance to connect with gamers in a more immersive and memorable way, increasing brand awareness and engagement.
7. Pangle
Pangle is a rapidly growing ad network that provides a wide range of ad formats and targeting options. It is known for its high-quality ad inventory and competitive pricing models. Pangle offers advanced targeting options based on demographics, interests, user behavior, and device information.
Key Features:
High-Quality Inventory: Pangle offers premium ad space that attracts high-quality advertisers, ensuring that developers can earn significant revenue. This high-quality inventory is crucial for maximising ad revenue.
Competitive Pricing: The platform provides cost-effective ad solutions for both advertisers and publishers, making it an attractive choice for those looking to optimise their budgets.
Diverse Ad Formats: Includes native ads, interstitial ads, banner ads, and video ads, providing flexibility in ad placement.
Benefits for Developers:
Revenue Potential: Pangle’s high-quality inventory and competitive pricing models help developers maximise their ad revenue. By offering premium ad space, Pangle attracts high-paying advertisers.
Targeted Advertising: The platform’s advanced targeting capabilities ensure that ads are shown to the most relevant audience, improving user engagement and conversion rates.
8. Mintegral
Mintegral is a global mobile advertising platform that offers advanced ad formats and targeting capabilities. It focuses on delivering high-quality ad experiences that enhance user engagement and drive revenue for developers. Mintegral’s ad optimisation algorithms help attract quality leads and scale campaigns with global traffic.
Key Features:
Advanced Ad Formats: Mintegral includes video, playable, and interactive ads that capture user attention and encourage engagement. These formats are designed to increase user interaction and conversion rates.
Global Reach: The platform connects advertisers with a diverse audience worldwide, providing developers with access to a broad market.
Ad Optimisation: Uses algorithms to optimise ad performance, ensuring that the most effective ads are displayed.
Benefits for Developers:
Engaging Ad Formats: Mintegral’s advanced ad formats help increase user interaction and conversion rates. By capturing user attention, these ads can improve campaign performance.
Global Audience: By reaching a global audience, developers can expand their user base and increase revenue potential. This global reach is essential for scaling a gaming business.
9. Digital Turbine
Digital Turbine is a mobile advertising network that specialises in delivering ads across various mobile platforms. It offers a range of ad formats and focuses on providing high-quality ad experiences that drive user engagement.
Key Features:
Multi-Platform Support: Digital Turbine delivers ads across different mobile platforms, ensuring that developers can reach users regardless of their device. This broad reach is crucial for maximising ad exposure.
Engaging Ad Formats: The platform includes video, interstitial, and native ads that are designed to capture user attention without disrupting their experience.
Benefits for Developers:
Broad Reach: By supporting multiple platforms, Digital Turbine helps developers reach a wider audience. This is important for expanding user acquisition efforts across different devices.
User Engagement: The engaging ad formats offered by Digital Turbine help maintain high user engagement levels while generating revenue. This ensures that users remain active and engaged with the app.
10. AdMob
AdMob is a popular choice for mobile game monetisation, offering advanced ad formats and mediation technology to maximise revenue without compromising user experience. It provides actionable insights and flexible ad controls to ensure a brand-safe environment.
Key Features:
Advanced Monetisation: AdMob offers hybrid and ad-funded models that allow developers to choose how they want to monetise their apps. This flexibility is beneficial for adapting monetisation strategies to different app types.
Real-Time Bidding: The platform ensures that the highest-paying ads are displayed, maximising revenue for developers. This real-time bidding process ensures that ad space is sold to the highest bidder.
Player Insights: AdMob provides analytics to help developers understand user behavior and optimise ad performance. These insights are crucial for refining monetisation strategies.
Benefits for Developers:
Revenue Maximisation: AdMob’s real-time bidding and mediation capabilities help developers earn the highest possible revenue from their ad inventory. By ensuring that the highest-paying ads are displayed, AdMob maximises revenue potential.
User Insights: The detailed analytics provided by AdMob enable developers to refine their monetisation strategies based on user behavior. This includes understanding ad engagement, user retention, and conversion rates.
Choosing the right advertising network for your mobile gaming app is crucial in today's competitive market. Each network has its unique strengths, whether it's Unity Ads for seamless integration, Chartboost for advanced targeting, or ironSource for high ROI. By understanding your specific needs and goals, you can select the network that best aligns with your strategy to maximise user acquisition and revenue.
Whether you're focusing on in-game ads with Bidstack, leveraging machine learning insights with AppLovin, or expanding your reach with Pangle, the key to success lies in optimising your ad strategy to engage your audience effectively. With the right network, you can enhance user experience, drive revenue, and grow your gaming business sustainably in 2025.
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