32 Best Mobile Ad Networks for Affiliate Marketing

Best Mobile Ad Networks and Platforms

Mobile ad networks are extremely popular these days, and they are a big part of the app monetization. With mobile app usage growing exponentially, publishers and affiliate marketers are turning to these networks to reach advertisers and make money. But with so many options to choose from, picking the right mobile advertising network can be hard.

Let’s break it down to top mobile ad networks, so you can make an informed decision that fits your ad strategy and maximizes your revenue.

What is Mobile Ad Format: Meaning

Mobile ad includes multiple ad formats for smartphones and tablets. As mobile usage grows, understanding the top mobile advertising types is crucial for affiliate marketers to reach their audience.

Mobile ad format can be broken down into several types, each with its own characteristics and purpose:

1. Banner Ads: These are rectangular ads on mobile screens. They appear at the top or bottom of the screen and can be static images or animated graphics;
   
2. Interstitial Ads: These full-screen ads appear between content transitions, like when a mobile user navigates from one page to another within a mobile app or website. Interstitial ads can be very engaging but can disrupt the user experience if not done right;
   
3. Native Ads: These ads fit in with the content of the app or website, so they’re less obtrusive. They match the look and feel of the surrounding content, often promoting articles, videos or products that are relevant to the user;
   
4. Video Ads: Getting more popular, video ads can be displayed before, during or after video content. Now with the rise of Tik Tok, Reels on Instagram, this type has higher engagement rates than static ads as they use both visual and audio to communicate.
   
5. In-app Ads: It can be push notifications that are similar to general messages but with ads inside. This advertising approach is very popular as it helps to overcome banner blindness.

The mobile ad type has a big impact on your campaign. That’s why you need to try all and choose the ones that work best for you. For example, you can find 11 Top Mobile Push Advertising Examples in our Blog and choose the best option to create your campaigns.

How Mobile Ads Networks Work?

Mobile advertising networks operate like other ad platforms: they connect advertisers with affiliate marketers and publishers:

• Advertisers: Brands or businesses that want to promote their products or services through top mobile ads. They provide the ad creative and set their campaign goals (e.g. brand awareness or conversions);
  
• Publishers: Owners of websites/blogs that want to monetize their apps by showing ads. They partner with ad networks to fill their ad inventory with ads;
  
• Affiliate Marketers: Marketers that don’t have their own resources but can promote advertisers’ offers in other ways like mobile push notifications, popunders, video and so on.

When a user completes a conversion — views or clicks on an ad that results in a download and install — the ad network charges the advertiser based on their chosen pricing model. The network takes a commission and then pays the publisher or affiliate the rest.

To track and measure ad performance mobile advertising platforms use device identifiers, tracking pixels and software development kits. This allows advertisers to see how their campaigns are performing and adjust their targeting and creative as needed.

Also, these platforms provide tools that detect ad fraud. It helps to male sure that publishers run successful mobile ad campaigns, and advertisers get high-quality traffic.

To learn more about this format, we recommend reading our guide “Mobile Affiliate Marketing: Guide to Getting Started”.

How Do Native Ads Networks Bill Advertisers?

Largest mobile ad networks are a bidding system where advertisers bid on ad placements. This can be:

• Cost Per Click (CPC): Advertisers pay per click.
• Cost Per Mille (CPM): Advertisers pay per 1,000 impressions.
• Cost Per Action (CPA): Advertisers pay per action (e.g. purchase or sign up).

Read the following articles to understand the differences between these commission types:

1. CPC and CPM Cost Models: Differences and How to Choose
2. Payout Models in Affiliate Marketing
3. CPA Offers in Affiliate Marketing: Full Guide for Beginners

Benefits of Mobile Ad Networks

When growing, mobile advertising networks provide merchants with more and more possibilities as well as benefits to raise their profit. There are the key benefits of ad platforms for publishers and advertisers in 2025:

How to Choose the Best Mobile Ad Network

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a top mobile ad network:

Transparency

To start, it’s essential for a network to be clear about how it operates. The first thing that you can do is to check reviews and comments from real advertisers and affiliate marketers.

Look for ad networks that share information about their structure, objectives, and background. Showcasing real results of mobile ad campaigns will be a must.

Mobile Ad Formats

Revise mobile ad formats that the chosen network suggests. The more options the platform offers, the more opportunities you have to launch campaigns.

Analytics and Reports

It’s no surprise that analytics and reporting of mobile campaigns are essential for your success. However, not every mobile advertising network offers a user-friendly interface, and getting access to important metrics like eCPMs can sometimes be a challenge.

It’s crucial to know what types of metrics are available, what ad formats they offer, and how easy it is to integrate them. Once you understand how the data will be presented and ensure that it’s straightforward to use, you’ll be in a much better position to evaluate how your ads are performing.

eCPM

Perhaps, one of your main priorities is to increase your ad revenue. The eCPM is an essential metric that indicates how much money you’re making from various ad campaigns.

As you look into top mobile ad networks that can help you to promote an app or a mobile game, check how each network’s average eCPM compares to industry benchmarks.

Relations with Publishers

Look at their current partners. If you see some big brands, well known media outlets and successful tech companies, you’re in good shape.

Smaller networks can only show a number of partners instead of naming the brands. So, ask about these partners and what’s their level of involvement and success.

Payment Options

Choose networks that have reliable payments, a schedule that works for you and a payment method you like. Think about the payment frequency, the methods and the minimums you need to hit before you get paid.

You’ll see payment schedules like net 15, net 30 and net 60 which means you’ll wait 15, 30 or 60 days for your payout. But immediate payouts are great for indie devs who want steady cash flow.

Payment options are usually PayPal, ACH, wire transfers and checks. Make sure your preferred payment method is available before you sign up.

Perks

Let’s be honest: everyone loves a bonus. And your relationship with the mobile advertising network is always negotiable. Many networks offer special features or benefits to top performing clients. And don’t be afraid to ask for some upfront benefits to help you get a better deal right from the start.

Final Thoughts

Mobile ad network is a key to your success in affiliate marketing. The landscape is changing so consider eCPM rates, payment terms, ad formats and targeting. Do your research and evaluate your options and you’ll find a network that matches your goals and user experience.As mobile advertising platforms shape the industry, stay informed and adaptable and you’ll get the most out of this opportunity.