Adsterra or AdSense: Which One Should You Choose for Higher Revenue?
In the ever-evolving world of online monetization, publishers often face a crucial question: Which ad network pays better—AdSense or Adsterra? Both platforms have their strengths, but they cater to different audiences, niches, and traffic types. This article dives into the payout differences, monetization methods, and the overall earning potential of Adsterra vs AdSense in 2025.
AdSense: The Gold Standard of Contextual Ads
Google AdSense is the most popular ad network globally and has been the go-to choice for bloggers, YouTubers, and website owners for over a decade.
Key Features:
High-quality, contextual ads
CPC (Cost Per Click) and CPM (Cost Per Mille) models
Extremely strict approval and policy enforcement
Best suited for organic, English-speaking traffic
Payout:
AdSense payout varies widely depending on niche and geography. For high-paying niches like finance, health, or tech, publishers can earn $1 to $5+ per click in countries like the US, UK, or Canada.
Adsterra: A High-CPM Alternative for All Traffic Types
Adsterra is an ad network known for its broad acceptance of various niches and monetization methods. It’s a favourite among webmasters with mixed or lower-tier traffic.
Key Features:
Multiple ad formats: Popunders, push notifications, direct links, display bannersMonetizes global traffic, including Tier 2 and 3 countries
Accepts adult and grey-area content (unlike AdSense)
Faster and more lenient approval process
Payout:
Adsterra typically pays $0.10 to $2 CPM for most traffic types, though this can be higher for high-converting verticals like downloads, VPNs, and sweepstakes. Popunder ads can fetch up to $4+ CPM in Tier 1 regions.
AdSense vs Adsterra: Payout Comparison
| Feature | AdSense | Adsterra |
|---|---|---|
| Ad Format | Text, display, video ads | Popunder, push, native, banner |
| Avg CPM (Tier 1) | $1 – $10+ | $0.50 – $4 |
| Avg CPC (Tier 1) | $0.20 – $5+ | N/A (mostly CPM/CPA) |
| Approval Process | Strict | Easy |
| Best For | Organic, clean traffic | Mixed traffic (all tiers) |
| Payment Threshold | $100 | $5 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Bi-weekly or monthly |
Which One Pays More?
For high-quality, search-driven traffic (especially from Tier 1 countries): AdSense generally pays more.For non-traditional or global traffic sources (e.g., paid, social, Tier 2/3): Adsterra might offer higher or more consistent earnings.
For aggressive monetization with formats like popunders or push ads: Adsterra excels.
FAQs: Adsterra vs AdSense
1. Can I use Adsterra and AdSense together?
Yes, but you must ensure Adsterra ad formats don’t violate AdSense’s policies. Avoid popunders or misleading placements if using both.
2. Which platform is easier to get approved on?
Adsterra has a much more lenient approval process than AdSense, which requires a content-rich, policy-compliant website.
3. Which one pays faster?
Adsterra offers more frequent payments (net15 or net30), while AdSense pays monthly once you hit the $100 threshold.
4. Is Adsterra safe and legit?
Yes, Adsterra is a legitimate network operating since 2013, trusted by thousands of publishers worldwide.
5. Who should choose AdSense?
If you have high-quality organic content and traffic from developed countries, AdSense usually provides the best long-term revenue.
6. Who should choose Adsterra?
Publishers with entertainment sites, downloads, streaming, or global/mixed traffic types may benefit more from Adsterra.