AdMob vs Chartboost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AdMob and Chartboost comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: AdMob is our free App Monetization pick. RevenueCat is our overall pick. Pick Chartboost if you need advertising.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. 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)
- • You want boosts total earnings by securing the highest CPM
- • You want saves time by eliminating manual waterfall adjustments
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
- • You want increases competition and value for ad inventory through real-time bidding
| At a Glance | AdMob | Chartboost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | Custom |
Best For | App Monetization | Advertising |
Rating | 3.2/5 | 2.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose AdMob or Chartboost?
Choose AdMob if
Maximize ad revenue with real-time bidding
- 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
- Your work is app monetization-shaped, not advertising-shaped
Choose Chartboost if
Maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization.
- You want drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers
- You want increases competition and value for ad inventory through real-time bidding
- Your work is advertising-shaped, not app monetization-shaped
| Feature | AdMob | Chartboost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★3.2/5 936 reviews | ★2.5/5 5 reviews |
| Categories | App MonetizationAdvertising | AdvertisingApp Monetization |
In-Depth Analysis
AdMob
Maximize ad revenue with real-time bidding
Strengths
- +Boosts total earnings by securing the highest CPM
- +Saves time by eliminating manual waterfall adjustments
- +Establishes a fair and competitive ad ecosystem
- +Supports long-term app monetization sustainability
- +Easy setup for new and existing AdMob users
Weaknesses
- -Requires existing AdMob integration
- -Reliance on partner networks for bidding competition
Key features
Chartboost
Maximize your in-app ad revenue with programmatic advertising and AI-powered monetization.
Strengths
- +Drives higher CPMs and fill rates for publishers
- +Increases competition and value for ad inventory through real-time bidding
- +Provides diversified budget from both brand and performance advertisers
- +Offers full control and transparency over the user experience and ad performance
- +Proven track record with large partners like Zynga
Weaknesses
- -Specific pricing structure is not publicly detailed
- -Requires SDK integration which may involve development effort
- -Focuses primarily on mobile in-app advertising, not broader digital advertising
Key features
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
AdMob is free. Chartboost is paid.
Go with: AdMob
Want the highest-rated option?
AdMob: 3.2/5 (936 reviews). Chartboost: 2.5/5 (5 reviews).
Go with: AdMob
Value user reviews?
AdMob: 936 reviews (3.2/5). Chartboost: 5 reviews (2.5/5).
Go with: AdMob
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
AdMob is free. Chartboost is paid. Go with AdMob if free matters most.
What's your use case?
AdMob is a app monetization tool. Chartboost is in advertising. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
AdMob is rated higher: 3.2/5 vs 2.5/5.
Key Takeaways
AdMob
- Higher user rating: 3.2/5 vs 2.5/5
- Larger review base (936 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Chartboost
- Better fit for advertising
The Bottom Line
AdMob is our free App Monetization pick. RevenueCat is our overall pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AdMob or Chartboost better?
AdMob is rated in our evaluation. AdMob is free and Chartboost is paid.
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 completely free. Chartboost is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.