Top 7 Ad Networks Every Website Owner Should Know in 2026 (Besides Adsterra & AdSense)
If you've already read our guides on Adsterra vs Google AdSense, monetizing low-traffic websites, and maximizing earnings with high-CPM formats, the next logical question is: what other ad networks are actually worth your time?
Relying on a single ad network limits your revenue potential. Most successful publishers run two or three networks side by side, testing which one performs best for their traffic, niche, and geography. Here's a breakdown of the top alternatives worth adding to your monetization stack.
1. PropellerAds
PropellerAds is a strong choice if you already like Adsterra's push and pop formats. It has a low traffic threshold (no minimum in many cases), fast approval, and formats like OnClick, native ads, and interstitials. Works especially well for entertainment, streaming, and download-based sites.
Best for: Sites with international or low-tier traffic that Adsterra alone doesn't fully monetize.
2. Ezoic
Ezoic uses AI to test hundreds of ad placement combinations automatically, optimizing for the highest RPM without you manually adjusting anything. It requires a minimum of ~10,000 monthly sessions to join, but the payout can meaningfully beat AdSense once approved.
Best for: Growing blogs that have outgrown AdSense but aren't ready for Mediavine or AdThrive.
3. Media.net
Powered by Yahoo/Bing's contextual ad network, Media.net is the closest real competitor to AdSense in terms of ad quality and advertiser demand — particularly strong for US, UK, and Canadian traffic.
Best for: English-language content sites with a tier-1 audience.
4. Monetag (formerly PropellerAds' sister platform)
Monetag focuses heavily on push notifications, in-page push, and interstitial formats, similar to Adsterra but with a different demand pool. Many publishers run Monetag and Adsterra together to compare eCPMs and rotate based on which performs better weekly.
Best for: Publishers who want a direct A/B test against Adsterra.
5. Mediavine
If your site crosses 50,000 sessions/month (mostly US-based), Mediavine is widely considered one of the highest-paying display ad networks available. It replaces AdSense entirely and manages ad ops for you.
Best for: Established blogs with a US-heavy audience and consistent traffic.
6. Taboola / Outbrain
These are native "recommended content" widgets you've seen at the bottom of news articles. They monetize differently — through content recommendations rather than banner or push ads — and can add a meaningful secondary revenue stream without hurting user experience much.
Best for: News, blog, and content-heavy sites wanting a non-intrusive extra income source.
7. Adcash
Adcash is another Adsterra-style network offering pop-unders, banners, and native ads with a low entry barrier. It's worth testing for sites in emerging markets where CPMs from AdSense tend to be low.
Best for: Sites with heavy traffic from Asia, Africa, or Latin America.
How to Actually Use Multiple Networks Without Conflicts
- Never run two banner networks in the exact same ad slot — this causes conflicts and can get you banned.
- Segment by format — e.g., Adsterra for push/pop, AdSense or Media.net for display banners, Taboola for native recommendations.
- Test one network at a time for 2–3 weeks before adding another, so you can isolate what's actually driving your RPM up or down.
- Watch your page speed — stacking too many ad scripts kills load times, which hurts both SEO and user retention (tying back into your SEO organic traffic strategy).
Final Thoughts
Adsterra remains one of the easiest and fastest networks to get approved on, especially for new or low-traffic sites — which is why it pairs well as a starting point. But as your traffic grows, layering in networks like Ezoic, Media.net, or eventually Mediavine can significantly increase your overall ad revenue without needing to switch away from Adsterra entirely.
The key isn't finding "the one best network" — it's building the right combination for your specific traffic and niche.