Top In-app Advertising Platforms in 2025

In-app advertising is the practice of showing paid ads inside mobile apps so brands can reach users where they spend most of their time.  It has become the dominant way to drive installs, in-app actions, and revenue from mobile traffic. That is why choosing the right in-app advertising platform is now a strategic decision rather than a simple SDK integration.

This guide walks through ten major in-app advertising platforms that brands and publishers rely on in 2025:

• Blockchain-Ads
• Google AdMob
• Unity Ads
• Applovin
• ironSource
• AdColony
• Meta Audience Network
• Adsterra
• Google Ads
• InMobi

Among these, Blockchain-Ads stands out for combining standard in-app formats with behavioral, intent, and interest based targeting. Plus, the platform uses on-chain verification, which is especially valuable for performance-driven and regulated verticals like finance, gaming, CBD, and Nutra. 

In this article breaks down how each platform works, where it performs best, and what trade-offs to expect so you can match your in-app stack to goals such as monetization, user acquisition, or compliant growth in regulated markets.

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1. Blockchain-Ads

Blockchain-Ads is a next-generation in-app and web advertising platform that helps brands reach high-intent users inside apps and across 10,000+ websites. The platform uses behavioral, interest, and wallet-based signals. It supports standard formats like native, display, banner, and video ads.

On top of that, Blockchain-Ads has blockchain-verified attribution so every impression, click, and conversion can be audited on chain, down to the creative and audience segment. 

Blockchain-Ads is best for performance driven and highly regulated industries like:

• Finance
• iGaming
• Crypto and Blockchain
• Saas and Tech
• AI
• Gaming 
• Regulated Industries like; CBD, adult, alcohol, and tobacco

Blockchain-Ads routes traffic through compliant inventory and verifies every interaction, which is difficult to replicate on walled gardens.​ The platform’s Nexus AI agent can analyze campaign performance in real time. It automatically shifts bids, budgets, and placements to hit targets like qualified site visits, verified purchases, or approved account registrations at a lower cost per customer.

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2. Google AdMob

Thanks to its reliance on the Google Ads ecosystem, AdMob is one of the most widely used in-app advertising platforms today. Publishers use it to access Google’s extensive pool of advertisers to guarantee strong revenue and high fill rates. AdMob offers a full range of in-app formats, which include interstitials, video, banners, display, rewarded, and native ads. This flexibility makes it adaptable for in-app advertisements in both gaming and non-gaming markets.

One of the main benefits of AdMob is that it offers a balance between monetization and user experience. Google has strict content policies that advertisers must comply with to avoid hurting user retention. With AdMob’s mediation and real-time bidding features, publishers can maximize yield by connecting to over 40 ad networks. The platform also offers built-in analytics via Firebase that can track performance and adjust monetization strategies to match campaign goals.

3. Unity Ads

The Unity Ads platform is built for mobile gaming apps that use the Unity engine. Developers can serve ads directly inside their app environments in rewarded and playable video ad formats. With Unity Ads, advertisers have access to tools like Unity LevelPlay, which brings in demand from multiple ad networks in a unified auction. The ability to naturally deliver in-app ads in breakpoints makes Unity Ads good for high engagement rates.

Because Unity Ads is used mostly in gaming apps, other app types may experience lower demand. There's also an issue of policy compliance, as the rules are quite strict. Rewarded offers, especially, must not violate the platform's policies on incentives and misleading content. Advertisers can track performance using the Unity Ads Report, which collects data on key metrics like eCPM, impressions, and app installs.

4. Applovin

The success of Applovin is hinged on its advanced MAX mediation and monetization tool. It has one of the most competitive demands, with over 20 in-app bidders, 25+ SDK networks, and diversified DSPs. Applovin MAX leverages every major ad format, as well as more innovative options like app open and lock screen ads. Additionally, it manages how the ad formats are displayed, the frequency, and ensures smooth delivery across operating systems.

The platform offers monetization value by offering a unified auction where partners and bidders compete in real time. MAX’s suite of impressive reporting tools gives publishers actionable insights on demand. Some of these features include A/B testing, auto CPM, waterfall management, and tools like the Ad Unit Management API.

5. ironSource

IronSource offers full-stack mediation, segmentation, and in-app bidding to maximize value and enhance app ARPDAU. It allows app developers to integrate various ads directly into their applications with little or no disruption to the user experience. Some high-impact ad formats it supports include rich media, rewarded video, interstitials, banners/MREC, and offerwalls.

In addition to providing segmentation tools, advertisers can test monetization strategies without compromising app performance. Although ironSource embeds ads naturally in in-app transitions, setting it up requires technical effort. Revenue across ad formats and locations may vary significantly for publishers. Still, adhering to privacy rules, content standards, and platform policies remains critical for a successful campaign.

6. AdColony

The AdColony in-app advertising platform is well-known for its high-quality display, rich media, and video ad delivery capabilities. It performs well in video formats because of its Instant-Play HD technology, which reduces load and buffering times. The latest version of its mobile ad SDK incorporates IAB’s Open Measurement to ensure transparency for app publishers and advertisers.

Although the platform is primarily known for its video ad solutions, it also supports display ads under its AdMarvel platform. This is especially beneficial in app categories or regions with less device power or weaker network bandwidth. AdColony also supports mediation and adapter usage through third-party ad networks. For advertisers and publishers, this highlights the importance of checking current SDK support to ensure compatibility with in-app campaigns.

7. Meta Ads

The Meta Audience Network is Meta's in-app advertising platform that helps marketers monetize ad campaigns. It supports ad placements from Meta's advertiser base, which can include rewarded video, native ads, interstitials, and banners. Because of Meta’s ad policies and review process, the ad quality is relatively high. The platform offers tools that can customize ad appearance, especially with native ads, to match the application’s UI.

Publishers on the Meta Audience Network have access to a global pool of advertisers. The platform supports bidding to improve yield when compared with traditional waterfall mediation. Meta Ads has strict policies because it incorporates the same advertising standards used on its properties. To improve campaigns, publishers can integrate Meta SDK into apps to monitor performance in real time.

8. Adsterra

Unlike other platforms, Adsterra's primary method for in-app advertising is via a direct link. This smart link function allows publishers to place a URL within mobile apps, especially Android APK files. When app users click this link, they're redirected to an advertising page with thousands of ads. Adsterra's algorithms will then select those ads that have high CPMs and high relevance to your traffic.

This non-intrusive advertising strategy also personalizes ads based on the user's device and location. It's a user-friendly option for mobile developers who want to monetize and generate revenue without using traditional in-app ad formats.

9. Google Ads

Google Ads is used by advertisers to drive in-app actions, app installs, and engagement. What makes this platform highly sought after is its extensive reach. Publishers can connect with app users on a wide variety of Google's properties, like Search, YouTube, Play, and more. Google Ads is also easy to use. Developers only need to add a few lines of text, a bid, and some assets.

The Google Ads platform integrates with Firebase and AppsFlyer to allow tracking of in-app events. Due to Google’s fully automated optimization capabilities, advertisers may need to accept less visibility on how specific creatives perform across apps. Depending on the region, competition, and quality of the app, the average cost per install or cost per in-app action can also be high. 

10. InMobi

InMobi uses a lightweight SDK that lets publishers serve ad formats within apps. Some supported formats include interstitials, banners, rewarded video, and playable ads. The “native ad units” feature in InMobi blends seamlessly with the application's design. Immersive video ads, rich media, and high-impact interstitials are displayed during app-flow breaks with minimal buffering.

The InMobi Exchange is also impressive. Publishers get exclusive access to over 200 DSPs and 5,000+ programmatic buyers. With InMobi's third-party Mobile Tracking & Attribution Partner (MTAP), advertisers can track campaign performance. Optimization is also possible via CPX (Cost Per X), which automates bidding based on the defined outcomes and KPIs.

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How in-app platforms work

Most in-app advertising platforms rely on SDKs that developers integrate into apps so they can request, render, and track ads from remote ad servers. When a user opens an app or hits a trigger point, the SDK calls the ad server, receives candidate creatives through RTB or mediation, and displays the winning ad based on targeting rules and price. Modern stacks layer in machine learning to optimize bids, fill, CPMs, and relevance, along with fraud prevention, privacy controls, and analytics dashboards that expose impressions, CTR, conversions, and revenue.​

Why Run Ads with In-app Ad Networks?

Running ads with in-app ad networks offers more advantages than traditional web advertising. Reports have also shown that in-app ads have 3x higher conversion rates. Below are some of the major benefits of using in-app advertising platforms:

• In-app ad networks make it easier to track performance.
• They offer the target audience a more improved visual and interactive experience than website ads.
• Ad networks pool a large number of advertisers that publishers may be unable to secure directly.
• In-app advertising has a wide reach, as most users spend time on their smartphones.
• Publishers are able to manage ads across multiple formats with SDKs and mediation tools.

Scaling Your In-app Campaigns

In-app advertising platforms are central to campaigns that aim to boost monetization and engagement with users. From Google AdMob and Meta Ads to specialized networks like Blockchain-Ads, each platform has its unique strengths. The key to choosing the right in-app advertising platform lies in understanding how each aligns with your goals. Once this is achieved, businesses can scale in-app campaigns efficiently to stay competitive.

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