AdMob vs Chartboost: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for AdMob and Chartboost side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, AdMob leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
AdMob
Maximize ad revenue with real-time bidding
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Chartboost requires payment)
Chartboost
Maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization.
Best for you if:
- • You want drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers
| At a Glance | AdMob | Chartboost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Not published |
Category | Advertising Analytics | Advertising App Monetization |
Rating | 3.2/5 Trustpilot 1.9 · G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.8 936 reviews | 2.5/5 G2 2.5 5 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose AdMob or Chartboost?
Choose AdMob if
- You want a fully free tool (Chartboost requires payment)
- You want boosts total earnings by securing the highest CPM
- You want saves time by eliminating manual waterfall adjustments
Choose Chartboost if
- You want drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers
- You want increases competition and value for ad inventory through real-time bidding
In-Depth Analysis
AdMob
Maximize ad revenue with real-time bidding
Strengths
- Pro: Boosts total earnings by securing the highest CPM
- Pro: Saves time by eliminating manual waterfall adjustments
- Pro: Establishes a fair and competitive ad ecosystem
- Pro: Supports long-term app monetization sustainability
- Pro: Easy setup for new and existing AdMob users
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires existing AdMob integration
- Con: Reliance on partner networks for bidding competition
Key features
Chartboost
Maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization.
Strengths
- Pro: Drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers
- Pro: Increases competition and value for ad inventory through real-time bidding
- Pro: Provides diversified budget from both brand and performance advertisers
- Pro: Offers full control and transparency over the user experience and ad performance
- Pro: Proven track record with large partners like Zynga
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific pricing structure is not publicly detailed
- Con: Requires SDK integration which may involve development effort
- Con: Focuses primarily on mobile in-app advertising, not broader digital advertising
Key features
Key Takeaways
AdMob
- Has a free plan
Chartboost
- Choose if you want maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization
What the data shows
On the data below, AdMob leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.2/5 from 936 reviews for AdMob, 2.5/5 from 5 reviews for Chartboost; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Only AdMob has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AdMob and Chartboost compare in 2026?
On the data below, AdMob leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.2/5 from 936 reviews for AdMob, 2.5/5 from 5 reviews for Chartboost; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Only AdMob has a free plan.
What are AdMob and Chartboost used for?
AdMob: Maximize ad revenue with real-time bidding. Chartboost: Maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization.
What does AdMob cost vs Chartboost?
AdMob is free. Chartboost has no public paid-plan price on file.
What's the main difference between AdMob and Chartboost?
AdMob's main strength: boosts total earnings by securing the highest CPM. Chartboost's main strength: drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers.