If you must choose between Adsterra and Monetag, Monetag generally earns higher revenue for small and medium websites, while Adsterra performs better for high-traffic sites and direct advertiser campaigns. Monetag is easier to start with, but Adsterra offers stronger advertiser quality and long-term scalability.
Adsterra vs Monetag: Which Ad Network Actually Pays More?
For many bloggers and website owners, choosing the right ad network can mean the difference between earning $5 per month or $500 per month.
I have worked with several ad networks over the years while managing small niche blogs and content sites. Two networks that frequently come up in discussions are Adsterra and Monetag.
At first glance, they look similar. Both accept small publishers, support multiple ad formats, and pay through common methods like crypto and PayPal.
But after testing both on real websites, the differences become obvious.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Adsterra?
Adsterra is a global advertising network founded in 2013. It is known for working with large publishers, media buyers, and affiliate marketers.
Key features include:
- Popunder ads
- Social bar ads
- Native banner ads
- Direct advertiser marketplace
- Anti-fraud security tools
One thing I noticed while using Adsterra is that their ad quality control is stricter, which often results in better CPM rates when traffic volume grows.
What Is Monetag?
Monetag (formerly PropellerAds) focuses heavily on automated monetisation for smaller publishers.
Instead of relying only on manual ad placement, Monetag uses AI-driven optimisation.
Key features include:
- Smartlink monetisation
- Push notifications
- Popunder ads
- In-page push ads
- Automatic traffic optimisation
For beginners, Monetag is often easier because approval is almost instant and setup takes minutes.
Adsterra vs Monetag: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Adsterra | Monetag |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Traffic | Low but quality matters | Very low |
| Approval Time | 24–48 hours | Usually instant |
| Best For | Established websites | Beginners |
| Ad Formats | Social bar, popunder, banners | Push, popunder, Smartlink |
| Optimisation | Manual + advertiser campaigns | AI-driven |
| Payment Methods | Crypto, PayPal, Paxum | PayPal, crypto, wire |
| Minimum Payout | $5–$50 depending on method | $5–$50 depending on method |
The Revenue Difference Most Bloggers Don’t Know
Here is something many comparison articles miss.
Monetag often shows higher earnings in the first few weeks, especially for websites with low traffic.
But over time, I noticed a pattern:
Small sites (under 10,000 monthly visitors) → Monetag performs better.
Growing sites (50,000+ visitors) → Adsterra CPM increases significantly.
This happens because Adsterra connects publishers with direct advertisers, while Monetag mostly relies on automated bidding networks.
Direct advertisers typically pay more once your traffic becomes valuable.
Ad Formats That Make the Biggest Difference
Not all ad formats perform equally.
Here’s what I learned from testing both networks.
Best Monetag Formats
- Push notifications
- In-page push ads
- Smartlink for download sites
These formats can generate high RPM even with small traffic.
Best Adsterra Formats
- Social bar ads
- Popunders
- Native banners
The Social Bar format is particularly interesting because it looks like a chat notification or alert, which dramatically increases click-through rates.
Payment Reliability
Both networks are known for paying publishers on time.
Adsterra typically pays Net-15, while Monetag offers flexible schedules depending on payment methods.
In my experience, both networks have reliable payment histories, which is critical for long-term monetisation.
Insider Tips to Maximise Earnings
Most publishers lose money simply because they use only one ad format.
Here are a few strategies that increased my revenue significantly.
1. Combine ad formats
Using popunders alone wastes traffic.
The best combination often includes:
- Push ads
- Native banners
- Popunders
2. Test traffic sources
Adsterra performs especially well with:
- Tier-1 traffic (US, UK, Canada)
- Finance or download niches
Monetag works better with:
- Tier-2 and Tier-3 traffic
- entertainment and viral content sites
3. Avoid aggressive ads on new blogs
Too many popups can hurt SEO and user experience.
Always balance monetisation with site speed and readability.
Pros and Cons
Adsterra
Pros
- Higher CPM for large websites
- Better advertiser quality
- Unique ad formats
Cons
- Higher payout threshold
- Approval sometimes slower
Monetag
Pros
- Beginner friendly
- Very low payout threshold
- AI optimisation
Cons
- Lower CPM on premium traffic
- Limited direct advertisers
Final Verdict: Which Is Best?
If you are just starting a blog or content site, Monetag is usually the better option because it is easier to join and monetise immediately.
However, once your traffic grows, Adsterra often becomes more profitable due to higher CPM campaigns and direct advertisers.
In simple terms:
Beginner websites → Monetag
Established publishers → Adsterra
Many experienced publishers actually use both networks simultaneously to maximise revenue.
Conclusion
Choosing between Adsterra and Monetag depends mostly on your traffic size, audience location, and monetisation strategy.
For beginners, Monetag offers the fastest path to earning money online.
For larger publishers looking for higher CPM and better advertisers, Adsterra is often the stronger long-term partner.