7 Best Ad Mediation Platforms for App Publishers

The in‑app advertising world is absolutely exploding, valued at $168.4 billion in 2023 and expected to soar to $561.2 billion by 2032, growing at a robust 14.4% annual rate . And in 2024, we reached another high-water mark with $352.7 billion in total in‑app ad revenue, underlining the shift toward mobile-first, immersive ad formats . If you're an app publisher, that’s your cue: ad mediation platforms aren’t a luxury, they’re essential. They help you build smarter revenue paths, reduce SDK bloat, and squeeze every drop of value from your impressions.

Choosing the right platform isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a strategic one. The right choice can mean 20–50% higher eCPMs, smoother maintenance, and future-proofing against evolving formats or privacy rules. So whether you're building a casual game on a shoestring or running a high-stakes app studio, our deep dive into the 7 best Ad mediation platforms will give you the confidence and clarity to make the best pick.

What Is Ad Mediation?

Ad mediation helps your app’s monetization thrive by tapping into multiple networks for every impression. It’s a smart way to boost your bottom line while maintaining a lightweight SDK stack.

• Waterfall model: Networks are called in rank order; the highest eCPM wins the inventory.
• Header bidding: Networks bid concurrently, improving competition and boosting CPMs .
• Real-Time Bidding (RTB): Every impression triggers a mini-auction, dynamically optimizing yield in real time.

This shift from waterfall to bidding has enabled many app publishers to increase eCPMs by up to 40% compared to older setups.

Key Benefits of Ad Mediation Platforms

Unlocking the potential of ad mediation isn’t just about adding new demand sources, it’s about smarter strategies, leaner SDKs, and performance insights that put you ahead of the game.

• Improved Fill Rates: Multiple networks mean fewer unfilled impressions, often hiking fill by 10–30%.
• Higher eCPMs: By creating competition, you can earn up to 50% more per ad in premium geos.
• Simplified SDK Handling: A single mediation SDK avoids bloat, conflicts, and constant version churn.
• Advanced Analytics: 52% of developers say insights from mediation drive smarter monetization .
• Future-Ready Compliance: With SDK updates and privacy hooks handled by the mediation provider, you’re always format and regulation compliant.
  
  

Top Features to Look for in an Ad Mediation Platform

With so many platforms to choose from, knowing what to prioritize can help you find the perfect balance of performance, flexibility, and transparency for your app’s needs.

• Multi-Network Integration: A wide partner ecosystem ensures consistent fill and eCPM performance.
• RTB and Hybrid Auctions: These models typically outperform waterfall-only setups.
• Detailed Metrics: Revenue, fill, waterfall order, and request-level data help you optimize.
• Ease of Integration: Lightweight SDKs, solid documentation, and helpful developer tools.
• Format Versatility: Make sure it supports banners, interstitials, rewarded videos, native, app opens, and more .
• Privacy & Compliance Tools: GDPR, CCPA, and SDK-level consent options are no longer optional.

7 Best Ad Mediation Platforms for App Publishers

Below, you’ll find detailed overviews of the seven most powerful platforms, each offering a unique take on maximizing your ad revenue potential.

1. Google AdMob 

A top-choice mediation solution for iOS and Android, AdMob Mediation connects your app with over 30 ad networks plus Google's own ad inventory. With hybrid bidding, including waterfall and real-time options, you’ll reach peak fill and eCPM levels. It integrates tightly with Firebase and Google Analytics, offering excellent A/B testing and segmentation capabilities. Publishers typically report a ~35% revenue lift over single-network approaches.

Key Features

• Hybrid and waterfall bidding support
• Audience segmentation using Firebase
• In-depth reporting via analytics dashboard
• Automatic SDK and ad setup updates

Ideal For: Developers seeking a simple yet powerful platform backed by Google's demand and analytics tools.

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2. ironSource 

ironSource Mediation is built for serious mobile-first and gaming apps. It features real-time bidding backed by waterfall systems, giving developers detailed, impression-level insights and dashboarded A/B testing capabilities. The platform supports premium video, interstitial, and rewarded ads, all via SDKs optimized for global performance. Many studios report eCPM increases of up to 60% compared to their legacy setups.

Key Features

• RTB and waterfall mix to boost competition for each impression.
• Lightweight SDK supports banners, interstitials, rewarded videos, and playable ads.
• Real-time, impression-level analytics for fine-grained monetization insight.
• Built-in anti-fraud tools keep revenue clean and safe.

Ideal For: Game publishers and performance-focused apps looking to maximize revenue and scaling globally.

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3. AppLovin MAX  

AppLovin MAX moves publishers into a unified auction model with real-time competition across networks, no waterfall guesswork. It ensures SKAdNetwork 2.0+ compliance for post-iOS14 tracking, with latency-optimized rendering to preserve UX. MAX users often enjoy a 15–20% increase in fill rates versus traditional models, all through seamless SDK interaction.

Key Features

• SKAdNetwork 2.0+ integrated
• Real-time, latency-optimized auction engine
• Easy migration from waterfall to bidding
• Fast SDK updates and global demand

Ideal For: Publishers ready to step away from manual waterfall tuning and embrace programmatic yield in mobile-first apps.

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4. Unity Ads LevelPlay 

Unity Ads LevelPlay is tailor-made for developers working within the Unity engine. It blends real-time bidding across all partnered networks, offering total transparency right in your editor dashboard. With built-in insights for ARPDAU, user segmentation, and auction performance, studios frequently see ~25% revenue gains just by running everything within Unity's own ecosystem.

Key Features

• Integrated one-click setup in Unity
• Real-time bid transparency per impression
• Performance and revenue tracking within editor
• Multi-format ad support with global supply access

Ideal For:  Developers whose entire stack relies on Unity; perfect for game creators looking for turnkey monetization.

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5. Appodeal 

Appodeal offers a rapid,Hassle-free deployment, ideal for small teams and mobile apps with growth focus. Its platform supports 60+ networks, blending waterfall and real-time auctions with less manual configuration. Built-in fraud prevention and instant A/B testing tools are easy to work with, and many publishers see eCPM jumps of 30–50% in smaller app categories.

Key Features

• 60+ demand partner integration
• Auto-optimization for waterfall and RTB
• Fraud detection and rapid A/B testing
• Granular user-level revenue insights

Ideal For: Small teams seeking quick monetization funnels with minimal friction and high niche revenue payoff.

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6. Smaato 

Smaato is a globally recognized mobile SSP with strong in-app mediation capabilities. It offers publishers an omnichannel solution for maximizing monetization across app, web, and CTV. Its SDK-less mediation feature simplifies integration, while intelligent tools like Automated Traffic Curation help filter low-value ad traffic. Trusted since 2005, Smaato supports publishers in 190+ countries and continues refining its AI-powered offerings.

Key Features

• SDK-less mediation across multiple formats
• Omnichannel support for app, web, and CTV
• Automated machine learning filters to increase bid quality
• Global demand backed by strong DSP partnerships

Ideal For:  Publishers seeking streamlined integration and omnichannel monetization with minimal developer effort.

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7. Chartboost 

Chartboost Mediation combines ad monetization and user acquisition in a single dashboard for mobile game developers. The platform supports both waterfall and RTB models, plus customizable ad floors to manage seasonal demand. Unified analytics across monetization and UA mean some studios see up to 45% higher revenue when compared with separate tools.

Key Features

• Custom waterfall and bidding control
• CPI and CPM campaign management
• Native UA + monetization suite
• Real-time dashboard for global publishers

Ideal For: Mobile game studios looking to handle both monetization and user acquisition in one central platform.

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How to Choose the Best Ad Mediation Platform

Making the final decision on your mediation platform should align with your app’s revenue goals, your team’s capabilities, and your target user base.

• Match App Type to Platform: Use Unity LevelPlay for Unity-live games, Appodeal for quick indie monetization, or ironSource for analytics-first studios.
• Choose Based on Monetization Strategy: Go RTB if you need top payouts; for simpler setups, hybrid waterfall works too.
• SDK and Integrator Readiness: Customize your resources, heavy-integration platforms need full-time dev support.
• Priority Geos: Consider platforms with strong demand in your biggest markets, US, Europe, APAC.
• Transparency vs Simplicity: Choose FairBid or ironSource for full insight, or AdMob/MAX for ease of use.
  
  

Challenges & Optimization Tips

Even the best mediation setup needs periodic tweaks to adapt to seasonal changes, shifting fill rates, and evolving SDK demands.

• Balance Latency: Rule of thumb, 5–8 demand partners per waterfall or bid request prevents UI slowdown.
• Manage Seasonal Fill Lulls: Plan ahead, reduce floors or integrate top-performing partners before demand dips.
• Validate Analytics Across Platforms: Daily reconciliation ensures consistent numbers across reports.
• Implement Smart Frequency Caps: Control ad frequency to maintain retention and long-term user behavior.

Conclusion

Ad mediation is the backbone of savvy app monetization, cutting complexity, lifting earnings, and adapting as formats evolve. Whether you choose Google AdMob, ironSource, AppLovin MAX, Unity LevelPlay, Appodeal, Smaato, or Chartboost, you’ve got industry-leading tools that can deliver:

• 2–3x eCPM growth
• Higher fill rates across demand sources
• Simplified SDK updates and privacy compliance

Your next steps? Pick one or two platforms that best fit your team, test intensively, and optimize based on real data. And don’t keep your wins to yourself, share your insights with the dev community to accelerate everyone’s game. Your app’s revenue growth depends on it!