Efficaciously constructing mobile game isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Joining an ad network and attaching a few ads up is simple enough, of course, but making the best use of your advertising space so as to drive as much revenue as possible is much more difficult.
Our round-up of the 15 best ad networks and interposition platforms for mobile game builders is meant to clear up some of that distraction. We’ve looked at over 50 individual networks and hand-selected our favorites.

Different ad networks cater to different types of advertisers and publishers.  Fee models also differ and not all will work equally well for all app.

How we’ve evaluated the different networks
Firstly, we’ve looked for networks that advertise either wholly or in part, that are specifically targeted at games developers. We’ve found that networks that have mobile games at the leading edge of their mind tend to have characteristics and functionalities that boost the performance of in-game apps. In precise, the design options and ad formats that are display tend to be based on a perceptive of what works best in games, although the analytics tools that are included are also, usually game-developer-centric. Similarly, according to appeal either directly or through the medium of an automated exchange, it’s important that game programmers work with advertisers. Always, game-centered networks hold a bulk of these advertisers.

Secondly, we’ve looked at the particulars of the features available on each network. The key word here is “specific”. There is a lot of overlap between what’s offered, a programmatic (automated) ad serving exchange, most networks will offer the same set of standard ad formats, some kind of direct marketplace and the list goes on. It’s frequent that extra little feature that makes the difference, such as the ability to serve house ads to your own user-base, such as with ChartBoost, or the fact that a mediation platform doesn’t have its own ad network, as with MobVista, refuse certain advertisers from serving your app, such as with Upsight, and therefore isn’t competing with third parties.

The mediation companies

Most app programmers use a mediation platform – which allows them to approach advertisers from other networks along with the platform’s native network. A low ad fill rate is one of the most commonly-cited issues with smaller ad networks, particularly for game developers. You can rank your various chosen networks to favour those that perform best by using a mediation network. There’s also the practical benefit of only having to use one SDK.

It is important to convey in mind, however, that although you can access third-party networks through a mediation platform, many of those networks have unique features that it’s not always possible to utilize unless you’re pleasing directly. It’s also important to consider  bidding functionality, supported formats and targeting.

There are a handful of mediation platforms that have a strong focus on mobile games. Before jumping into the specific networks, let’s take a look at them.

MoPub and Admob

We haven’t evaluated these two networks separately because they’re so widely-known. The mediation platform MoPub is an immense app ad network in the world, although AdMob, which is run by Google, is another huge player.

Should AdMob or MoPub be the go-to for those starting out?

If you’re starting out, AdMob and MoPub are good networks to begin with. They offer all the standard features of a large mediation platform and also act as a good baseline with which to measure the performance of other networks. You’ll also be able to examine all of the major ad formats and analytics functionalities.

1. Mobvista

It’s mediation network that was founded in China in 2013 and is also a game analytics. It has been responsible for driving the success of several high-performing games in Asia. NativeX, an ad network concentrate on mobile games that is included in the top 15 list below, is owned by Mobvista, so you’ll be able to take advantage of their native ad technology.

The support that Mobvista provides for other networks is pretty extensive and App-walls, ad feeds, interstitials, video, icon, native, banner…all are list of supported formats is a boon for gamers. You can also use the platform’s technology to serve your own in-house ads to your followers. For a hands-off access, Mobvista’s internal algorithm, which utilizes abundant amounts of data, will do the backend leg work for you.

2. Upsight

 Upsight is a completely impartial mediation platform, which means that it does not fill ads from its own network so there’s no competition against third-party networks. It has also recently acquired Fuse Powered. Instead it relies on charging a fee or revenue share. It also provides a well-developed segmentation and analytics platform, which means that ads are targeted at the relevant users.

3. Propellor

It is a UK-based ad mediation platform with a focus on mobile games. Many publishers cite the simplicity of the platform as a major plus along with the high degree of automation, which ensures best revenue generation from ads. Most ad formats are supported.

4. iRonSource (formerly Supersonic)

This is another mediation network that is unique as far as game developers are concerned. It’s heavily game basic and boasts a huge portfolio of clients that are effectively monetizing their mobile games. Their SDK is constructed to integrate freely and seamlessly with big game-focused ad networks. Their delivery process is based on a “weighted” system, whereby requests are sent to top-performing ad networks in parallel, rather than exhausting one network’s inventory before moving onto the next.

5. Fyber

This is one of the well-known supply-side-platform (SSP) mediation platforms. It empowers developers to sell their ads through a range of networks, automatically enhancing ad revenue in the process.They offer an extensive array of services, encompassing mediation, a direct exchange & an ad server, alongside advanced publisher tools and analytics. Their dashboard is highly customizable, so if you choose to go with them you’ll have a lot of opportunity to determine the kind of blend that you want of automated mediation, direct deals and serving from their own network.

6. HeyZap

This is an ad mediation network directed generally at games-developers that combines an in-depth access to segmentation with a variety of ad formats. The user interface is also very simple and so a good choice for beginning developers. They have a number of renowned apps in their portfolio, including Crossy Road and Governor of Poker 2.

 

7. ChartBoost

ChartBoost is a San Francisco based ad network intended exclusively at game developers, dealing mainly in interstitial and video ads.

Their key features include:

• Free interstitial and video cross-promotion

This feature allows to cross-promote new titles to the existing app traffic. For example, that you were responsible for creating Temple Run and you wanted to market Temple Run 2 to all of your current users. From beginning, an app run to track of an ad campaign, for free is done by Chartboost network.

• Direct marketplace

The best features of Chartboost’s marketplace is functionality for making direct deals. You can pick indeed which games will be promoted to your user-base or pick which games you will be advertised through. There are no intermediary fees so you can earn up to 100% of the profits.

• Transparent programmed marketplace

Chartboost is a games-only structure, that targets on ad post to active gamers, app developers can receive highly-targeted users at scale. The structure is very translucent and developer have full control over which promoters they include alongside access to information about which adverts are being shown. There is also an entertainer of game-specific features, such as “in-play”, a design integrate that allows developers to create ads that render in the gameplay environment, offering a seamless native experience for players and another testing option for developers in their seeking of optimum ad revenue.

• Analytics custom to games developers

Also, endeavor a matter of impressive data tools and reports, such as their monthly global heatmap that details the average cost-per-install of apps on iOs and Android devices.

As a game developer, it’s significant testing out ChartBoost with an app before trying out other ad networks.

 8.Unity Ads

On the downside, some have protest that the Unity Ads network provides a low fill rate. The main benefit here is the ease of mixture (no SDK is required for Unity-built games) and the quality of the ads. Using the network can be quite lucrative if you do have the right country/device demographics for targeting.

Unity Ads is a network geared precisely towards games built with the Unity engine. The focus is on video ads that integrate seamlessly with Unity games. Because it targets users that are interested in playing a particular type of game, the network can work particularly well for developers.

9. Vungle

Vungle is an impressive network, and one that game developers should take note of. To provide actually unique ad experience for app users, the network assist only video ads and relies in part on an extensive in-house team of creatives.

They also have a software-guided marketplace, called Premium, where developers are able to sell their ad spaces. Vungle’s internal ranking system can often work particularly well for the app which is at the peak of its popularity. There is also a separate marketplace where, with Vungle acting as the intermediary, you can sell ad space directly to premium clients.

10. MobileCore

MobileCore, which is part of the group of companies that includes software enormous install Core. An emphasis on serving ads that fit seamlessly with games, this is another ad network that’s targeted primarily at gamers. They focus on an Android ad network but now also have an SDK for iOS apps too. MobileCore has pushed a handful of unique ad formats. Their “stickeez” format, for example, makes use of a customizable, brandable pop-up icon that renders into a full overlay, whilst their “In-Stream” interstitial ads offer a range of options for players. If the app is designed for Android, it’s worth testing a few of their unique ad formats and tracking how they perform.

11. NativeX

NativeX define itself as the “leading native ad technology for games”. That’s a pretty big invite for game builders. They specialize in native ads and their commitment to this particular ad format, which is one of the top-performers in mobile games due to its unintrusive nature. The developers have access to a range of uniquely-suited advertisers. They have a host of testimonials from reportedly happy game developers.

This is a particularly easy option for developers who aren’t overly tech-savvy as their lightweight SDK can be handled from their web portal. Many of their ad formats, such as “triad videos”, also offer options to players to choose video of their own choice i.e. customization options. They also have extensive tools for tracking and analytics as well as running own loyalty programme (offering rewards to your players, for example).

12. TapJoy

TapJoy is well-known as a cost-per-install(CPI) network with a range of advanced targeting features. It offers interstitials and walls, alongside direct play ads (where a game can be played inside another app for a brief period).

TapJoy has strong connection with several ad mediation companies and so can provide high fill rates. It’s a big network, with some pretty hefty financial backers, so it’s well worth checking out if you’re a developer. The dynamic retargeting features and the performance to easily run in-app promotions and utilize push alert, as two examples is an added bonus.

13. InMobi

InMobi is a vast ad network that has placed personalization at the heart of its access to advertising. It designs “discovery zones” in apps, advertising spaces that “learn” about user behavior and deliver tailored ads appropriately. The network has a huge user baseand has garnered a number of awards, including being named one of the “most disruptive companies” of 2013.

InMobi’s access is all the more remarkable because it’s been given so little concentration by other networks. When you think about it, the idea of data-driven actualized app ads seems like a no-brainer. They also place a strong significance on the visionary quality of their apps, with display, rich media, video and native ads all supported. It’s feasible for builders to compose their operations by making prompt deals with advertisers or by using InMobi’s programmatic deals.

14. PlayHaven

Playhaven is an ad network wholly for mobile games and it makes no amends for it. It offers leading segmentation technology (developers to target ads at different subsections of their player base at distinct times). There is also service to boost in-house ads to users. The network focuses on interstitial ads.

Some developers have reported uniquely high eCPMs with Playhaven and their non-incentivized ads (mean that the advertisers they attract tend to be of a high quality overall).

15. Kiip

Kiip works slightly individually from the other networks on this list. Their toolkit is easy to incorporate with your app and includes a host of exclusive tools. In affiliation with their partners, they work by offering rewards, both real and virtual to player-base, with revenue earned whenever a reward is reclaimed. It’s a certainly unique access to advertising because it offers players value, advertising other brands at convenient times (such as when a player has completed a level), whilst allowing developers to monetize. Some developers don’t even view it as advertising!

Conclusion

Many developers, particularly game developers, leave big chunks of revenue on the table when it comes to choosing an ad network.

The developers should always be testing and analyzing the different ones that are available to come up with their own winning mix as the ad formats, advertisers and segmentation tools can vary widely across networks.
Here are the 15 top mobile ad networks compared according to their features and pricing models:

Network	Ad Formats	Pricing Model	Mediation	Network
MobVista	Interstitial, Video, Offerwall, Ad Feed, Banner, Native, Icon	CPA, CPI	Yes	Yes
Upsight	Interstitial, Featured Apps	CPA	Yes	No
Propellor	Banners, Custom, Interstitial, Notifications, PopUnder, Video	CPA CPL CPM CPI	No	Yes
iRonSource	Banners, Offerwall, Rich Media, Video	CPC CPM	No	Yes
Fyber	Interstitial, Video, Banner, Offerwall	CPA CPM	Yes	Yes
HeyZap	Intersitial, Rich Media, Text Ads, Video	CPI	Yes	Yes
ChartBoost	Interstitial, Video	CPM CPC CPI CPCV	No	Yes
Unity Ads	Banners, Interstitial, Video	CPI CPM	No	Yes
Vungle	Video	CPC CPI CPCV	No	Yes
mobileCore	Interstitial, Video	CPI CPM CPV CPC	No	Yes
NativeX	App Icon, Banners, Interstitial, More Games, Offerwall, Rewards, Rich Media, Video	CPA, CPC, CPI, CPM	Yes	Yes
TapJoy	Interstitial, Offerwall, Rewards, Direct Play	CPE CPI	No	Yes
inMobi	Video, Carousel, Native, Interstitial, Rich Media	CPC	No	Yes
PlayHaven	Interstitial,  Offerwall, Rewards	CPC, CPI	No	Yes
Kiip	Rewards	CPA	No	Yes

Contact unanimoustech.com to integerate any mobile Ad network in your app for monetization.