When it comes to mobile advertising, two big players always seem to come up: Google AdMob and AppLovin. Both platforms offer distinctive advantages, but which is best for your app? To help you decide, we’ve put together this comprehensive comparison between AdMob vs AppLovin so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Before we dive into the comparison points, let’s briefly examine both platforms.
What is Google AdMob?
Google AdMob is a mobile advertising platform that helps developers monetize their apps with in-app ads. It allows you to show banner, interstitial, or video ads from Google’s Ad Network. With AdMob, you can capitalize on your app’s true revenue potential with in-app ads. When it comes to ease of implementation and ad mediation, AdMob is hard to beat.
What is AppLovin?
AppLovin is the competitive mobile ad network of Google AdMob that helps app developers to monetize their apps and games with in-app ads. Mobile app owners can use AppLovin not only to show ads in their apps but also to track the performance of those ads in real-time.
AppLovin also provides creative ad optimization and advanced ad targeting features to help you maximize your in-app advertising revenue. Applovin claims to have reached 2 billion devices globally.
AppLovin vs Google AdMob
Now that we have looked at both AdMob and AppLovin in brief, let’s compare them on various important parameters:
1. Minimum traffic threshold requirements
There is no minimum traffic requirement at Google AdMob, so you can start using AdMob to show ads in your app as soon as you have integrated it. However, if you plan to use this network, you must meet specific traffic requirements.
In addition, it’s mandated to have your AdSense account approved. Also, the app should follow Google’s publisher policies and restrictions to start monetizing.
AppLovin also doesn’t have any minimum traffic requirements, which makes it easier for small developers to get started. Moreover, to use this platform, users must be at least 18 years old and agree to AppLovin’s publishers’ guidelines.
2. Revenue split percentage
Revenue share percentage is among the crucial points that must be considered while comparing the two ad networks. AdMob offers a revenue split of 60:40 which means that the app developer will get 60% of the total revenue generated, and the remaining 40% will go to AdMob.
On the other hand, AppLovin hasn’t disclosed the exact revenue split percentage. AppLovin is a better option than AdMob, considering the revenue split percentage. Although, the major decider would be the eCPMs and the match rate.
3. Ad Quality
Ad quality is an important parameter to consider while comparing ad networks. AdMob offers high-quality ads as it’s a Google product, and it strictly follows all the policies laid down by Google. In addition, AdMob also offers mediation which further improves the ad quality.
Moreover, AdMob offers global ad fill rates, which are pretty high. AdMob lets advertisers personalize and target their ads using various factors such as age, gender, interests, location, etc.
AppLovin also offers high-quality ads; however, it’s not comparable to AdMob due to the scale at which it operates. Moreover, AppLovin doesn’t offer mediation, but it provides global ad fill rates, which are decent. Thus, in terms of ad quality, AdMob is a better option than AppLovin.
4. Publisher list comparison among AppLovin vs Google AdMob
AdMob is a popular option among the top mobile app publishers. Some leading publishers using AdMob are Rovio, Supercell, Duolingo, and much more. You will find a long list of elite app publishers who use AdMob to monetize their apps and games.
Similarly, AppLovin is also a popular option among the top mobile app publishers. Some leading publishers using AppLovin are Glu Mobile, Zynga, and Supercell. In addition, DoubleClick Ad Exchange(or Google AdX) is also an inventory partner of AppLovin.
Thus, AdMob and AppLovin are pretty popular among the top mobile app publishers. So, if you need to pick the best platform solely based on the publisher list, you can choose anyone, as both of them are pretty good in this regard.
5. CPM and RPM comparison
CPM and RPM are the most prominent factors when comparing ad networks. AdMob offers high CPMs and RPMs compared to most ad networks.
Moreover, the CPMs and RPMs offered by AdMob are pretty stable. The average CPM and RPM depend on the geo, traffic, and ad format. The average AdMob RPM range anywhere from 10 cents to $10.
On the other hand, AppLovin has not mentioned the exact CPM and RPM range on its website. However, according to some reports, the CPMs and RPMs offered by AppLovin are quite high. Top earning ad networks get anywhere around $10.
6. Payments and earnings
AdMob offers payments through wire transfer on the 21st of every month. The minimum payout is $100. App developers can also receive their earnings through PayPal, ACH, or check.
On the other hand, AppLovin offers payments on a NET15 basis, meaning you will receive your earnings 15 days after the end of the month. The minimum payout is $20, and you can receive your payments through PayPal or other similar platforms. On the other hand, for wire transfers, the minimum payout at Applovin is $150.
7. SDK comparison
Google Mobile Ads SDK(or GMA SDK) is available for Android and iOS platforms. The latest version of the GMA SDK for Android and iOS is 9.8.0.
On the other hand, AppLovin SDK is also available for Android and iOS platforms. The latest version of the AppLovin SDK for Android and iOS is 9.15.2.
Both platforms offer a wide range of features, such as ad mediation, real-time bidding, rich media ads, video ads, and much more. In terms of features, both platforms are good. However, in terms of popularity and adoption, Google Mobile Ads SDK is way ahead of AppLovin SDK.
Wrapping up!
So, this was a detailed comparison of Google AdMob vs AppLovin. Both platforms have their benefits. However, if you need to pick one platform, we recommend you go with AdMob as it’s a more popular and widely used platform than AppLovin.
Moreover, AdMob also offers high CPMs and RPMs compared to most ad networks. Although, to reap the best monetization results, try using Applovin in mediation with AdMob.
Still, have any doubts about AppLovin vs Google AdMob? Feel free to set up a free demo with our team of mobile ad experts.
