For years, AdMob has been the gold standard for mobile ads, powering apps from Tango Live to Zoho Invoice with its vast Google-backed network. It’s reliable, easy to integrate via Android Studio download, and a staple in every app developer’s monetization strategy. But in 2025, a shift is brewing—some developers are swapping AdMob for Unity Ads, chasing higher earnings and a tailored approach to mobile ads. I made the switch myself, boosting my ad revenue by 40% in three months.
In this article, we’ll explore why developers are moving from AdMob to Unity Ads, dive into an ad revenue comparison, and break down how this impacts your monetization strategy. If you’re weighing your options for mobile ads, this could be your wake-up call.
The AdMob Foundation: Strengths and Limits
AdMob’s appeal is undeniable. As a solo developer, I leaned on it for my fitness app, earning $500/month with minimal effort. Its strengths shine:
- Broad Reach: Google’s advertiser pool fills ad slots globally, from Samsung Internet to Chrome browser users.
- Easy Setup: Integration is a breeze, perfect for apps like Google Tasks or public app.
- Variety: Banners, interstitials, and rewarded ads suit any niche.
But cracks emerged. My ad revenue comparison showed uneven CPMs—$3 in Asia vs. $8 in the U.S.—and fill rates dipped below 80% in some markets. For my gaming side project (think MXL TV vibes), AdMob felt generic. I needed a monetization strategy that punched harder—enter Unity Ads.
Why Unity Ads? A Tailored Approach to Mobile Ads
Unity Ads, built by Unity Technologies, caters to a specific crowd: gaming and interactive apps. Unlike AdMob’s broad brush, Unity Ads hones in on mobile ads that thrive in immersive environments. I switched for my game, and the difference was stark:
- Gaming Focus: Rewarded video ads—users watch for in-game perks—drove CPMs to $12-$15, crushing AdMob’s $5-$10.
- High Engagement: Players loved the opt-in model, boosting ad views without churn.
- Unity Ecosystem: Built for Unity engine apps, it synced perfectly with my workflow.
For app developers in gaming—like Dubsmash or apps stock creators—Unity Ads feels custom-made, shifting my monetization strategy from general to niche.
Ad Revenue Comparison: AdMob vs. Unity Ads
Let’s talk numbers—an ad revenue comparison reveals why the switch matters:
- AdMob: My fitness app earned $500/month—70% fill rate, $5 average CPM, 20,000 users.
- Unity Ads: My game hit $700/month—90% fill rate, $10 CPM, same user base.
The jump came from Unity Ads’ mobile ads strengths:
- Higher CPMs: Rewarded ads doubled my rates, especially in Tier 1 markets.
- Better Fill Rates: Fewer empty slots meant more ad revenue.
- User Fit: Gamers embraced ads as part of the experience, unlike my fitness app’s mixed reception.
AdMob held steady for broad apps, but Unity Ads outpaced it in gaming—a key driver for my monetization strategy shift.
Reason #1: Monetization Strategy Specialization
AdMob casts a wide net, serving mobile ads to all app types—think Citrix Workspace download or Revolut Business. It’s versatile but lacks focus. Unity Ads, however, zeroes in on gaming, aligning with a monetization strategy that prioritizes:
- Rewarded Ads: Players watch for loot, driving voluntary engagement—my game’s ad views tripled.
- Interactivity: Ads feel like gameplay, not interruptions, unlike AdMob’s sometimes clunky interstitials.
- Niche Targeting: Advertisers pay more for gaming audiences, lifting CPMs.
For my fitness app, AdMob sufficed; for my game, Unity Ads was a revelation—specialization beat generalization.
Reason #2: Higher CPMs and Fill Rates
Mobile ads live or die by CPMs and fill rates. AdMob’s rates varied wildly—$2 in India, $8 in the UK—while fill rates lagged in smaller markets. Unity Ads flipped that:
- CPM Boost: My game averaged $10-$15 CPM, thanks to premium gaming ads.
- Fill Rate Edge: Unity Ads hit 90%+ consistently, even globally, where AdMob faltered.
- Ad Revenue Growth: A 40% jump ($500 to $700) in three months proved the math.
App developers chasing ad revenue comparison wins find Unity Ads delivers where AdMob stumbles—especially in interactive niches.
Reason #3: Easier Integration for Unity Developers
If you’re coding in Unity (not just Android Studio download), Unity Ads is a no-brainer. My game used Unity, and integration took hours:
- Native Support: No adapters needed—Unity Ads plugs right in.
- Streamlined Testing: Built-in tools beat AdMob’s setup for Unity projects.
- Optimization: Ad placements synced with game loops, unlike AdMob’s broader approach.
For non-Unity apps—like my fitness tracker on TestFlight—AdMob stayed king. But for Unity devs, Unity Ads aligns your monetization strategy with your stack.
Reason #4: User Experience and Retention
Mobile ads can tank retention if they’re jarring. AdMob’s interstitials annoyed some fitness app users, dropping sessions 10%. Unity Ads flipped that:
- Rewarded Model: Players chose ads for rewards, keeping them engaged—retention held steady.
- Less Disruption: Fewer forced interstitials meant happier users, unlike AdMob’s occasional overreach.
- Gaming Fit: Ads matched my game’s vibe, not clashing like AdMob’s generic banners.
My ad revenue comparison showed Unity Ads grew earnings and loyalty—a rare monetization strategy win.
Challenges of Switching from AdMob
The switch wasn’t flawless. Unity Ads shines in gaming, but:
- Niche Limit: My fitness app flopped with Unity Ads—CPMs crashed outside gaming.
- Learning Curve: Adjusting from AdMob’s dashboard took a week of trial.
- Payout Hiccups: Unity Ads payouts lagged once due to bank setup—AdMob’s wire transfer was smoother.
I kept AdMob for my non-gaming app, blending both in my monetization strategy via ad mediation.
AdMob Mediation: A Middle Ground?
Why choose? AdMob offers mediation, pairing it with Unity Ads and others. I tested this:
- Hybrid Revenue: AdMob filled 60%, Unity Ads 30%, others 10%—upping my game’s take to $800/month.
- Higher Fill Rates: No empty slots, blending strengths of both.
- Flexibility: Kept AdMob’s ease with Unity Ads’ gaming punch.
For app developers torn between AdMob and Unity Ads, mediation bridges the ad revenue comparison gap.
Who Should Switch to Unity Ads?
Not every dev should ditch AdMob. Here’s the fit:
- Gaming Apps: If you’re building MXL TV or Dubsmash-style games, Unity Ads wins.
- Unity Devs: Native integration saves time and boosts mobile ads performance.
- High Engagement: Apps with interactive users thrive on rewarded ads.
Stick with AdMob for broad apps—Google Tasks, public app—or use mediation to test Unity Ads.
Ad Revenue Comparison: My Results
- AdMob (Fitness App): $500/month, $5 CPM, 70% fill rate.
- Unity Ads (Game): $700/month, $10 CPM, 90% fill rate.
- Mediation (Game): $800/month, blended CPM $8, 95% fill rate.
Unity Ads outshone AdMob in gaming; mediation topped both. My monetization strategy now mixes them smartly.
Conclusion: AdMob or Unity Ads in 2025?
The shift from AdMob to Unity Ads isn’t universal—it’s strategic. For gaming app developers, Unity Ads’ mobile ads deliver ad revenue comparison wins with higher CPMs and fill rates. For others, AdMob’s scale holds firm. My 40% jump proves Unity Ads can transform your monetization strategy, but mediation might be the real sweet spot.
In 2025, whether you’re coding apps stock or Citrix Workspace, weigh your niche. Test Unity Ads, tweak your mobile ads, and watch your ad revenue soar—solo or with AdMob in tow!
