10 Best Gaming Ad Networks for Game Developers 🎮
Author: Martin
Struggling to make serious cash from your game without upsetting your players? It’s the ultimate challenge for game developers. You pour your heart into creating an awesome game, but figuring out how to monetise it effectively can feel like an impossible final boss. You need to boost your revenue, but not at the cost of sending your players running for the hills because of bad ads.
This is where the right gaming ad network comes in. Think of it as your secret weapon. These platforms help you serve up high-quality, relevant ads that actually add to the experience, keeping your players happy and your wallet full. We’ve rounded up the best gaming ad networks in 2025 to help you find the perfect partner and seriously level up your earnings.
What are Gaming Ad Networks and why are they Essential for Developers?
A gaming ad network is a technology platform that acts as a bridge between game developers (publishers) who want to make money from their games and companies (advertisers) who want to promote their products to gamers. Think of it as a marketplace specifically for in-game advertising space.
These networks are essential for developers for two primary reasons:
- Monetization: They provide the tools and demand from advertisers to fill ad spaces within a game. This allows developers to earn significant revenue through various ad formats like rewarded videos (where players watch an ad for an in-game reward), interstitials (full-screen ads between levels), and banners. This is crucial for free-to-play games, which rely on ad revenue to be profitable.
- User Acquisition (UA): Developers can also use these networks as advertisers to promote their own games across thousands of other apps. By running targeted campaigns, they can acquire new, high-quality players who are more likely to engage with their game and spend money, directly fueling growth.
In essence, gaming ad networks are a vital component of the mobile game ecosystem, enabling developers to both earn revenue and grow their player base efficiently.
Must-Use Gaming Ad Networks for Earning More in 2025
Top Gaming Ad Networks 🎮 | Core Focus 🎯 | Best For 🚀 |
---|---|---|
Google AdMob | Global app monetization | Maximizing ad revenue |
Unity Ads | Unity engine ads | Player-first experience |
AppLovin | AI-powered platform | Mobile & CTV ads |
Liftoff | Growth acceleration | Performance marketing |
InMobi | Mobile-first platform | AI-driven optimization |
Media.net | Contextual advertising | High-quality inventory |
RichAds | Performance marketing | Multiple ad formats |
Digital Turbine | On-device discovery | Direct app installs |
Start.io | First-party data | Precise user targeting |
Adsterra | Global ad network | High-engagement formats |
1. Google AdMob
Google AdMob is a giant in the mobile advertising world, offering a reliable way for game developers to make money from their apps. Tapping into Google’s huge advertiser base, AdMob delivers high-quality, relevant ads that don’t ruin the player experience.
It supports a variety of formats, including rewarded, native, and interstitial ads, making it flexible for any game. For developers, AdMob provides smart tools to automatically maximise revenue and understand user behaviour better. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for consistent performance and trusted technology from an industry leader.
Why choose AdMob?
Its intelligent optimisation tools and massive Google integration make it a go-to choice for reliable mobile game monetisation.
2. Unity Ads
Unity Ads is a powerhouse, especially for mobile game developers who build their games using the Unity engine. It’s designed to be a natural part of the gaming experience, offering formats like rewarded videos that players actually want to watch.
Because it’s integrated directly into the Unity development platform, setting it up is a breeze. With a reach of over a billion monthly active users, it’s a top choice for developers who want to monetise their player base without disrupting gameplay. Unity Ads helps you turn engaged players into a steady stream of income.
Why choose Unity Ads?
Its seamless integration with the Unity engine makes it incredibly easy for mobile game developers to implement and monetise.
3. AppLovin
AppLovin is a mobile marketing platform that helps game developers acquire new users and monetise their apps. It uses powerful machine learning to connect your game with the right audience, helping to drive high-quality installs and engagement.
AppLovin is more than just an ad network; it provides a suite of tools to help you grow your business, from analytics to ad creation. With its global reach and focus on performance, AppLovin is a strong partner for developers who want to scale their games and maximise revenue in a competitive market.
Why choose AppLovin?
Its advanced AI and automated campaign tools help advertisers achieve scale and find high-quality users for their games.
4. Liftoff
Liftoff, which merged with Vungle, is a top-tier mobile app marketing and retargeting platform. It’s all about helping you acquire and retain high-value users for your mobile game. Liftoff uses machine learning to find players who are most likely to engage with your app and make in-app purchases.
Their creative team can produce high-performing video ads that grab attention. For game developers looking to not just get installs, but to build a loyal player base, Liftoff provides the tools and expertise to make it happen, focusing on long-term growth and return on investment.
Why choose Liftoff?
Liftoff excels at re-engaging users and optimising for lifetime value, making it great for apps with a diverse user base.
5. InMobi
InMobi is a global mobile advertising platform that helps brands connect with gamers through innovative ad formats. It offers a wide range of solutions, from stunning video ads to engaging rich media, all designed for the mobile screen. InMobi’s strength lies in its deep understanding of mobile users, using data to deliver personalised ad experiences.
For game developers, this means better monetisation and higher eCPMs. With access to premium advertisers and advanced targeting capabilities, InMobi is a great choice for publishers wanting to unlock the full revenue potential of their gaming apps.
Why choose InMobi?
It provides exclusive access to over 200+ DSPs and thousands of programmatic buyers for extensive reach and demand.
6. Media.net
Media.net is a leading ad-tech company that specialises in contextual advertising. It gives game developers access to the massive Yahoo! Bing Network, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality ads. Media.net is known for its innovative ad formats, including native and display ads, that blend seamlessly into the gaming environment.
Their platform uses advanced technology to serve ads that are relevant to the user’s interests, leading to better engagement and higher revenues. For publishers looking for a reliable network with a strong focus on contextual relevance, Media.net is a solid contender in the gaming space.
Why choose Media.net?
It offers exclusive access to the Yahoo! Bing Network, providing a massive source of high-quality contextual search demand.
7. RichAds
RichAds is a performance-focused ad network that offers a variety of traffic sources perfect for the gaming niche, including push, pop, and native ads. It’s known for its high-quality traffic and advanced targeting options, allowing you to zero in on your ideal audience.
RichAds provides advertisers with detailed analytics and optimisation tools to help maximise campaign performance. With a user-friendly platform and dedicated support, it’s a great choice for affiliate marketers and advertisers looking to promote gaming offers. They offer large volumes of traffic across numerous GEOs, making it easy to scale successful campaigns.
Why choose RichAds?
It offers powerful ad formats and extensive GEO coverage, making it ideal for performance-based gaming and gambling campaigns.
8. Digital Turbine
Digital Turbine offers a unique on-device media platform that helps mobile operators and app developers acquire users and monetise their content. It works by pre-installing apps on new devices, giving advertisers a direct path to users from the moment they turn on their phones.
This approach leads to high-quality installs and engagement. For game developers, Digital Turbine provides an innovative way to reach a massive audience without competing for ad space in the traditional way. It’s a powerful solution for those looking to drive significant user acquisition and stand out in the crowded app market.
Why choose Digital Turbine?
It offers a unique on-device solution that provides a perfect balance between high eCPMs and an enhanced user experience.
9. Start.io
Start.io, formerly StartApp, is a mobile media and data company that helps developers monetise their apps and advertisers reach their target audience. It offers a range of ad formats, including interstitial, video, and native ads, designed to fit naturally within the app experience.
Start.io has a vast network of active mobile apps, providing a huge audience for advertisers to connect with. Their platform uses data-driven insights to help you make smarter decisions and improve your campaign results. For developers looking for a versatile and data-rich monetisation partner, Start.io is a strong option.
Why choose Start.io?
Its network of 500K active mobile apps and 2.4 billion monthly active users provides massive scale for advertisers.
10. Adsterra
Adsterra is a well-regarded ad network with a huge global reach, serving billions of ad impressions every month. It’s a popular choice for publishers and advertisers in the gaming niche due to its flexible ad formats, including the high-engaging Social Bar.
Adsterra is known for its excellent support and anti-AdBlock technology, which helps publishers maximise their revenue. For advertisers, it offers precise targeting options and a smart AI-powered algorithm to connect their ads with the most relevant audiences. It’s a reliable network that delivers quality traffic and strong performance.
Why choose Adsterra?
Its innovative Social Bar ad format and strong anti-AdBlock technology help deliver high eCPMs and engagement for gaming traffic.
The Future of In-Game Advertising: Trends in Gaming Ad Networks
The in-game advertising industry is growing rapidly, moving towards smarter, more player-friendly experiences.
The global in-game advertising market is projected to grow significantly, with some estimates suggesting it will surpass $17 billion by 2030.
This growth is driven by several key trends.
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Final Take: Cash In Before Your Rivals Do
The difference between mediocre earnings and blockbuster ARPU lies in the networks you back. Opt for gaming ad networks that blend rewarded video, native in-play banners, and AI-driven programmatic auctions to raise fill-rates and eCPM in every region.
Features like fraud-shield tech, granular cohort analytics, and hyper-contextual ad triggers ensure revenue climbs while session length and retention stay intact. Choose wisely today—each untapped impression is lost profit waiting to be reclaimed.
Author
Martin
Affiliate Marketing Expert Martin is a seasoned affiliate marketer with over 8 years of experience. He specializes in ad spy tools, e-commerce platforms, and affiliate networks. At AffDude, Martin shares actionable insights and unbiased reviews to help marketers maximize ROI and stay ahead of the competition.